1 Chronicles 11:6
Now David had said, "Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander." And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.
Now David had said,

David had recently been anointed king over all Israel and led the united tribes against Jerusalem. His command displayed the resolve required to establish a secure capital for the nation.

2Sa 5:6 Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem…
Jos 15:63 But the descendants of Judah could not drive out…
Jos 18:28 Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem)…

“Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite

Jerusalem remained under Jebusite control despite Israel’s earlier conquest of Canaan. The fortified city of Zion stood between the territories of Judah and Benjamin and offered David a central, defensible place from which to govern.

2Sa 5:8 On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites…”…
Jdg 1:8 Then the men of Judah fought against Jerusalem…
Jdg 1:21 The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites.…

will become chief commander.”

David promised the highest military office to the man who would lead the assault successfully. The challenge called for courage, initiative, and loyalty at a decisive moment for the newly united kingdom.

1Ch 27:34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah,…
1Ch 18:15 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army;…
2Sa 10:7 On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army…

And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first,

Joab was David’s nephew through David’s sister Zeruiah and had already proved himself a capable warrior. His bold action gained the stronghold and opened the way for Jerusalem to become the City of David.

2Sa 2:13 So Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David marched out…
2Sa 18:2 He sent out the troops, a third under Joab,…
1Sa 14:13 So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet,…

and he became the chief.

David honored his promise and appointed Joab commander of Israel’s army. Joab would serve prominently throughout David’s reign, winning major battles while also revealing the danger of power exercised without wholehearted obedience to God.

2Sa 8:16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army;…
2Sa 20:23 Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel;…
1Ki 2:35 And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The anointed king of Israel, known for his leadership and heart for God. In this passage, he is establishing his rule over Jerusalem.

2. Joab
The son of Zeruiah, David's sister, making him David's nephew. Joab is a prominent military leader in David's army and becomes chief commander by taking initiative in this event.

3. Jebusites
The original inhabitants of Jerusalem, a Canaanite tribe that David's forces needed to conquer to establish Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

4. Jerusalem
Also known as Jebus at the time, it becomes the political and spiritual center of Israel under David's rule.

5. Zeruiah
David's sister and the mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, all of whom were significant figures in David's military.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Initiative
David's challenge to his men highlights the importance of initiative in leadership. Joab's willingness to act decisively earned him a position of authority. In our lives, taking initiative in service to God can lead to greater responsibilities and opportunities.

Faith and Action
The conquest of Jerusalem required both faith in God's promises and action to fulfill them. Similarly, believers are called to trust in God's plans and actively participate in His work.

God's Sovereignty in Leadership
The appointment of leaders, like Joab, demonstrates God's sovereignty in establishing authority. We should pray for and support our leaders, trusting that God is at work through them.

The Importance of Jerusalem
This event marks the beginning of Jerusalem's central role in Israel's history. Understanding its significance helps us appreciate its place in biblical prophecy and God's redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions
1. What qualities did Joab demonstrate by being the first to strike down the Jebusites, and how can we apply these qualities in our own lives?

2. How does the conquest of Jerusalem by David's forces reflect God's promises to Israel, and what does this teach us about God's faithfulness?

3. In what ways can we take initiative in our spiritual lives and communities, similar to Joab's actions in this passage?

4. How does the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital city relate to its future significance in biblical prophecy and the life of Jesus?

5. What can we learn from David's leadership style in this passage, and how can we apply these lessons in our roles within the church and society?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 5:6-10
This passage provides a parallel account of David's conquest of Jerusalem, offering additional details about the strategy and significance of the event.

1 Chronicles 27:34
This verse lists Joab as the commander of the army, confirming his long-term role and influence in David's reign.

Psalm 122
Written by David, this psalm reflects the significance of Jerusalem as a place of worship and unity for the tribes of Israel.
Joab, the Military StatesmanR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 11:6
Popular and Royal WisdomW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 11:1-8
Capture of JerusalemF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 11:4-9
People
Abiel, Abiezer, Abishai, Adina, Ahiam, Ahijah, Ahlai, Anathoth, Ariel, Asahel, Azmaveth, Baanah, Benaiah, Benjamin, Benjaminites, David, Dodai, Dodo, Eleazar, Elhanan, Eliahba, Eliel, Eliphal, Elnaam, Ezbai, Gareb, Hachmoni, Haggeri, Hanan, Hashem, Heled, Helez, Hepher, Hezro, Hotham, Hothan, Hurai, Ikkesh, Ilai, Ira, Israelites, Ithai, Ithmah, Ittai, Jaasiel, Jashobeam, Jasiel, Jebusites, Jediael, Jehiel, Jehoiada, Jeiel, Jeribai, Joab, Joel, Joha, Jonathan, Joshaphat, Joshaviah, Maacah, Maachah, Maharai, Mibhar, Moabites, Naarai, Naharai, Nathan, Obed, Reubenites, Ribai, Sacar, Samuel, Saul, Shage, Shama, Shammoth, Shimri, Shiza, Sibbecai, Sibbechai, Uriah, Uzzia, Zabad, Zelek, Zeruiah
Places
Adullam, Anathoth, Baharum, Beeroth, Bethlehem, Carmel, Gaash, Gibeah, Harod, Hebron, Jebus, Jerusalem, Kabzeel, Millo, Moab, Netophah, Pas-dammim, Pirathon, Tekoa, Valley of Rephaim, Zion
Topics
Attack, Becometh, Captain, Chief, Command, Commander, Commander-in-chief, David, Jebusite, Jebusites, Jeb'usites, Joab, Jo'ab, Leads, Overcome, Prince, Received, Smite, Smites, Smiteth, Strikes, Zeruiah, Zeru'iah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 11:6

     5261   commander

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

     5087   David, reign of
     7236   Israel, united kingdom

1 Chronicles 11:4-8

     5437   palaces

1 Chronicles 11:4-9

     5597   victory, act of God

Library
The Story of a Cup of Water
BY THEODORE T. MUNGER [From "Lamps and Paths," by courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin & Co.] Be noble! and the nobleness that lies In other men, sleeping, but never dead, Will rise in majesty to meet thine own. --James Russell Lowell: Sonnet IV Restore to God his due in tithe and time: A tithe purloined cankers the whole estate. Sundays observe: think, when the bells do chime, 'Tis angels' music; therefore come not late. God there deals blessings. If a king did so, Who would not haste, nay give, to see
Philip P. Wells—Bible Stories and Religious Classics

Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
Mount Sion did not thrust itself so far eastward as mount Acra: and hence it is, that mount Moriah is said, by Josephus, to be "situate over-against Acra," rather than over-against the Upper City: for, describing Acra thus, which we produced before, "There is another hill, called Acra, which bears the Lower City upon it, steep on both sides": in the next words he subjoins this, "Over-against this was a third hill," speaking of Moriah. The same author thus describes the burning of the Lower City:
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83]
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Chronicles 11:6 NIV
1 Chronicles 11:6 NLT
1 Chronicles 11:6 ESV
1 Chronicles 11:6 NASB
1 Chronicles 11:6 KJV

1 Chronicles 11:6 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Chronicles 11:5
Top of Page
Top of Page