Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses his troops after capturing the Jebusite fortress of Zion, announcing a military incentive, and Joab son of Zeruiah responds by leading the initial assault.
The words — The text highlights מַכֵּ֤ה (ma.Keh), meaning “[one who] strikes down,” paired with לְ/רֹ֖אשׁ (le./Rosh), literally “into a chief.”
The thread — This incentive structure parallels Caleb’s promise for the first to take Kiriath-sepher (Joshua 15:16) and the Israelites’ repeated pledge regarding Goliath (1 Samuel 17:25), while the outcome confirms Joab’s subsequent appointment over the army (2 Samuel 8:16).
Why it lands — The verse records a concrete military decree and its immediate fulfillment, requiring readers to observe how leadership is established through decisive action rather than formal appointment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 8:16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
- Joshua 15:16 And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.”
- 1 Samuel 17:25 Now the men of Israel had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out to defy Israel? To the man who kills him the king will give great riches. And he will give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s house from taxation in Israel.”
- 2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
- 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
- 2 Samuel 20:23 Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;