1 Chronicles 11:20-47 (June 9, 2025)

11:20 Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the thirty.[a] And he wielded his spear against 300 men and killed them and won a name beside the three. 21 He was the most renowned[b] of the thirty[c] and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three.

22 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man[d] of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two heroes of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 23 And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits[e] tall. The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver's beam, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and won a name beside the three mighty men. 25 He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard.

26 The mighty men were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth of Harod,[f] Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa, Abiezer of Anathoth, 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai of Netophah, Heled the son of Baanah of Netophah, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon, 32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth of Baharum, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 Hashem[g] the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, 35 Ahiam the son of Sachar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro of Carmel, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a leader of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, 45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Footnotes

1 Chronicles 11:20 Syriac; Hebrew three

1 Chronicles 11:21 Compare 2 Samuel 23:19; Hebrew more renowned among the two

1 Chronicles 11:21 Syriac; Hebrew three

1 Chronicles 11:22 Syriac; Hebrew the son of a valiant man

1 Chronicles 11:23 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

1 Chronicles 11:27 Compare 2 Samuel 23:25; Hebrew the Harorite

1 Chronicles 11:34 Compare Septuagint and 2 Samuel 23:32; Hebrew the sons of Hashem

Summary

This passage continues the military record of David’s mighty men. After introducing the top three warriors in verses 10–19, the Chronicler now recounts the deeds of others who were also heroic and honored in Israel. These men stood with David in moments of great peril and victory. Verses 20–25 highlight Abishai and Benaiah, both of whom led but did not attain to "the three." Verses 26–47 list the names of thirty additional warriors, including foreign-born men. This entire section celebrates faithfulness, courage, and loyalty to God’s anointed king.

Reflections

1) God honors those who display loyal courage under godly leadership

1 Chronicles 11:20–21 (ESV)

"Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the thirty. And he wielded his spear against 300 men and killed them and won a name beside the three. He was the most renowned of the thirty and became their commander, but he did not attain to the three."

Abishai's story shows that courage is noticed, even when someone doesn’t reach the highest rank. His loyalty and action brought him honor. This passage reminds us that God values those who stand firm, even in roles that may not seem "at the top."

2) God exalts humble and unlikely warriors for kingdom purposes

1 Chronicles 11:22–24 (ESV)

"And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two heroes of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature... But he did not attain to the three."

Benaiah came from a small town, but his courage earned him renown. The vivid descriptions here evoke the bravery and spiritual confidence needed to face overwhelming odds. God often uses those with humble origins for mighty purposes in His kingdom.

3) God remembers the names of those who serve Him faithfully

1 Chronicles 11:26 (ESV)

"The mighty men were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem..."

(continuing through v. 47)

From Asahel to the sons of Maacah and other lesser-known names, these warriors are remembered. Some were foreigners, like Zelek the Ammonite and Uriah the Hittite (v. 41). Their inclusion shows that God's kingdom welcomes those outside of Israel who demonstrate covenantal faith and loyalty. God records not only deeds but names. To serve faithfully, even behind the scenes, is to be honored by God.

Applications

a) Follow faithfully even if you're not in the spotlight

Not everyone will be a David or one of "the three," but Abishai and Benaiah show us the value of courageous loyalty.

b) Do not despise small beginnings

Even men from obscure places and backgrounds were remembered for their deeds. God uses all kinds of people to build His kingdom.

c) Faithfulness is not forgotten in God's story

The Chronicler writes these names not for trivia, but for testimony. Serving Christ faithfully—even when overlooked by the world—is never forgotten by our King.

Prayer

Our Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the witness of warriors whose courage and loyalty pointed toward your kingdom. Remind us that greatness in your eyes is not always public but is always remembered. Strengthen us to serve, to fight for righteousness, and to honor Christ as our true King.

May we be faithful even when unseen, and may our names be written not for fame, but for love.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.