1 Chronicles 11:26

Also the valiant men of the armies [were], Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

Also the valiant men {H1368} of the armies {H2428} were, Asahel {H6214} the brother {H251} of Joab {H3097}, Elhanan {H445} the son {H1121} of Dodo {H1734} of Bethlehem {H1035},

There were also these warrior-heroes: 'Asah'el the brother of Yo'av, Elchanan the son of Dodo, from Beit-Lechem,

Now these were the mighty men: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem,

Commentary

This verse, 1 Chronicles 11:26, begins a detailed list of David's most elite warriors, often referred to as his "mighty men." Following the account of David becoming king and capturing Jerusalem, the chronicler highlights the individuals who formed the backbone of his military strength and helped secure his kingdom.

Context

Chapter 11 of 1 Chronicles is pivotal. It records the tribes of Israel anointing David as king over all Israel in Hebron (1 Chronicles 11:1-3) and his subsequent capture of the stronghold of Zion, which became the City of David. The chapter then transitions to list the "valiant men" who served David, starting with the most prominent and then detailing others. Verse 26 introduces Asahel, the brother of Joab (David's eventual commander), and Elhanan, setting the stage for recognizing these crucial individuals by name.

Key Themes

  • Recognition of Service: The careful listing of these men emphasizes the importance of individual loyalty and courage in supporting leadership and achieving national goals.
  • Military Strength: The presence and capabilities of these "valiant men" were fundamental to David's military successes and the security of his kingdom.
  • Loyalty: These individuals demonstrated profound loyalty to David, often at great personal risk, contributing significantly to his rise and reign.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "valiant men" translates the Hebrew word gibborim (ื’ึดึผื‘ึนึผืจึดื™ื). This term signifies mighty warriors, heroes, or champions. It denotes individuals of exceptional strength, skill, and bravery in battle, distinguishing them from ordinary soldiers.

Reflection

1 Chronicles 11:26, and the list that follows, reminds us that great achievements are often the result of dedicated individuals working together under leadership. Just as David relied on his gibborim, any significant endeavor, whether in a family, community, or spiritual context, depends on the commitment and courage of its members. The chronicler taking care to name these men underscores that faithful service, even in supporting roles, is seen and valued.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 27:7 (3 votes)

    The fourth [captain] for the fourth month [was] Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course [were] twenty and four thousand.

  • 2 Samuel 23:24 (2 votes)

    Asahel the brother of Joab [was] one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

  • 2 Samuel 21:19 (2 votes)

    And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew [the brother of] Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear [was] like a weaver's beam.

  • 2 Samuel 3:30 (2 votes)

    So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

  • 2 Samuel 2:18 (2 votes)

    ยถ And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel [was as] light of foot as a wild roe.

  • 2 Samuel 2:23 (2 votes)

    Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth [rib], that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, [that] as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.