God empowers the faithful to stand their ground and brings a mighty victory for His glory.
They took their stand in the midst of the plot and defended it, and struck down the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great victory. (v.14) This verse appears in a passage describing King David’s mighty men—elite warriors who fought for the kingdom of Israel around 1000 BC. First Chronicles, compiled centuries later (circa 450-400 BC), recounts these exploits to encourage post-exilic readers that the same God who was with David’s champions is still with His covenant people. The “plot” in which they took their stand was likely a fertile field or strategic piece of land, and the Philistines were a perennial threat to Israel’s security. Despite being surrounded, David’s men held their ground, displaying valor and faith, and the LORD granted them a decisive triumph. This underscores a central message throughout 1 Chronicles—that God’s presence and favor, rather than human might alone, determine the outcome (1 Chronicles 9:1).
The phrase “the LORD saved them by a great victory” highlights the Chronicler’s special focus on divine intervention. Even though David’s mighty men used their martial skill, the text credits the ultimate success to God’s provision and power. In the broader narrative of Chronicles, the writer frequently emphasizes that obedience to the LORD and genuine reliance upon Him result in blessing, while drifting into idolatry leads to judgment. In a New Testament context, believers see a parallel in how Jesus secures victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Although Christians engage in spiritual struggles (Ephesians 6:12), the Bible teaches that it is the strength of the risen Christ that provides victory.
This episode reminds us that standing firm in faith often means defending what God has entrusted to us, even when opposition appears formidable. David’s men did not shirk from fierce conflict; they relied on the LORD’s deliverance to transform their precarious situation into a victory. Much like God delivered Israel from captivity in Babylon when they humbly returned to Him (1 Chronicles 9:1, 2 Chronicles 7:14), so He is ready to preserve and protect those who remain faithful in challenging circumstances.
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1 Chronicles 11:14 meaning
They took their stand in the midst of the plot and defended it, and struck down the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great victory. (v.14) This verse appears in a passage describing King David’s mighty men—elite warriors who fought for the kingdom of Israel around 1000 BC. First Chronicles, compiled centuries later (circa 450-400 BC), recounts these exploits to encourage post-exilic readers that the same God who was with David’s champions is still with His covenant people. The “plot” in which they took their stand was likely a fertile field or strategic piece of land, and the Philistines were a perennial threat to Israel’s security. Despite being surrounded, David’s men held their ground, displaying valor and faith, and the LORD granted them a decisive triumph. This underscores a central message throughout 1 Chronicles—that God’s presence and favor, rather than human might alone, determine the outcome (1 Chronicles 9:1).
The phrase “the LORD saved them by a great victory” highlights the Chronicler’s special focus on divine intervention. Even though David’s mighty men used their martial skill, the text credits the ultimate success to God’s provision and power. In the broader narrative of Chronicles, the writer frequently emphasizes that obedience to the LORD and genuine reliance upon Him result in blessing, while drifting into idolatry leads to judgment. In a New Testament context, believers see a parallel in how Jesus secures victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Although Christians engage in spiritual struggles (Ephesians 6:12), the Bible teaches that it is the strength of the risen Christ that provides victory.
This episode reminds us that standing firm in faith often means defending what God has entrusted to us, even when opposition appears formidable. David’s men did not shirk from fierce conflict; they relied on the LORD’s deliverance to transform their precarious situation into a victory. Much like God delivered Israel from captivity in Babylon when they humbly returned to Him (1 Chronicles 9:1, 2 Chronicles 7:14), so He is ready to preserve and protect those who remain faithful in challenging circumstances.