1 Chronicles 11:10 - Meaning and Application

This is an account of David’s worthy men, the great men of his time who served him and were honored by him. The first version of this list appears in (2 Samuel 23:8), and this one is much the same, except that the names from (1 Chronicles 11:41) to the end are added.

Notice how this list connects with what was said about David in (1 Chronicles 11:9). David grew greater and greater, and these were his mighty men. Much of the strength and honor of great rulers comes from the servants around them and depends on them, which should make wise people less impressed by outward display. David was great because he had great men around him. Remove them, and he would be back where he started.

The Lord of hosts was with him, and these were the mighty men he had. God was with David and worked for him, but he did so through people and means, using what are called secondary causes, that is, ordinary human helpers. We can see God’s hand in this because he moved capable men to join David’s cause. If God is for us, no one can stand against us, and he can also provide everyone we need for the work he gives us. Still, David gave the credit not to his army or his brave men, but to the Lord of hosts, the mighty God whose presence with us is everything.

This list is titled, “These are the men who strengthened themselves with him” (1 Chronicles 11:10). In helping him, they also helped themselves and their own good, because his success was their success. What we do in our place to support the kingdom of the Son of David, that is, Christ’s kingdom, will bring gain to us too. In strengthening that kingdom, we strengthen ourselves. Another way to read it is that they stood firmly with him and with all Israel.

When God has work to do, he will not lack the right tools for it. If the work requires brave men, brave men will be found, or God will make them into what he needs, according to the word of the Lord.

What made all these men honorable was the good they did for their king and their country. They helped make David king, and that was a good work. They defeated the Philistines and other public enemies, and they helped save Israel. The way to become great is to do good. They did not gain this honor without hard work and danger to their lives. The honors of Christ’s kingdom are ready for those who fight the good fight of faith, who labor and suffer, and who are willing to risk everything, even life itself, for Christ and a clear conscience. We must seek glory, honor, and immortality by steady perseverance in doing good. Those who are faithful to the Son of David will find their names recorded in a way far more honorable than the names of these men in the records of fame.

Among all the great deeds of David’s mighty men, the writer mentions nothing as great about David himself as his pouring out the water before the Lord that he had longed for (1 Chronicles 11:18-19). That act showed four very honorable things in David, and it may have been as great as any of the exploits of those warriors. First, it showed repentance for his own weakness. It is a real credit to a person, when he sees that he has spoken or acted foolishly, to take it back and make it right by repentance. It is a shame to keep standing by what was wrong.

Second, it showed self-control. David longed for the water from Bethlehem’s well, but when he received it, he would not drink it. He would not give in to a foolish desire, even for something he wanted very much. A person who rules his own spirit is better than the mighty. It is a credit to have control of oneself, but that often means crossing one’s own wishes.

Third, it showed devotion to God. The water he thought too good and too precious for himself, he poured out to the Lord as a drink offering. If we have anything better than the rest, we should honor God with it, because he is the best and deserves the best.

Fourth, it showed tenderness toward his servants. He was deeply troubled to think that three brave men had risked their lives to bring him that water. In his mind, that water had become like blood. It is an honor for great people not to be careless with the blood of those they employ, but in every command they give, to put themselves in their servants’ place.

In the amazing deeds of these heroes, we must recognize the power of God. How could one man kill 300, and another the same number (1 Chronicles 11:11, 1 Chronicles 11:20), another defeat two lion-like men (1 Chronicles 11:22), and another kill an Egyptian giant (1 Chronicles 11:23), unless God’s special presence was with them, as promised in (Joshua 23:10), “One of you will chase a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you”?

One of these worthies is said to be an Ammonite (1 Chronicles 11:39), and another a Moabite (1 Chronicles 11:46), even though the law said that an Ammonite and a Moabite were not to enter the Lord’s assembly (Deuteronomy 23:3). Most likely, these men had shown themselves so loyal to Israel’s cause that this law was set aside in their case. It also points forward to this truth, that the Son of David would have worthy men among the Gentiles, the nations outside Israel. With him, there is neither Greek nor Jew.