1Ch 11:9 | KingComments | STEP | David now dwells in Jerusalem and grows in stature ( ). That the LORD of hosts is with him, is evident from the list of mighty men. David grows in stature because of the great men around him, his heroes. Above all, he grows in stature, because the LORD of hosts is with him. The men of valor are led by the LORD to David. They followed him in the time of his being rejected and have become heroes. By the LORD of hosts, to which also the army of David belongs, they are mentioned as men who helped David to acquire his kingship and the conquest of the royal city. These men owe their stature to him ( ). By strengthening him they strengthened themselves and their own interests. They have given “him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel”. His prosperity is their prosperity. Through their connection with David they share in all that is his part. So it is with us in our connection with the Lord Jesus. What we do to promote the kingdom of the Son of David will be for our profit. What makes someone great is the good he does. This greatness cannot be obtained without work and danger for one’s own life. It is about the good fight of faith in the Lord Jesus. Hereafter follows the list of the names of David’s heroes ( ). This list is also in the second book of Samuel ( ). In 2 Samuel 23 this list is given at the end of David’s life, while here the heroes are mentioned at the beginning of his reign. The heroes and their actions are remembered here in relation to the time when David was not yet king. From this we can learn the lesson that we are heroes if we already live up to the reign of the Lord Jesus in our lives. He will remember and appreciate this when we are with Him later. Nothing of what is done for the Lord in the time of His rejection is forgotten by Him (cf. ). The heroes are mentioned in connection with their actions in three areas. They have fought 1. with the enemies, 2. for the land and 3. for David. The deeds of heroism reflect David’s great heroic deed in defeating Goliath. The LORD has made David king, but here is seen the commitment of David’s followers to make him king. Their lives show us the kind of people who helped David to acquire the kingship. We see what spirit has inspired them and what has led them to their intense personal dedication. We can also apply this to ourselves. Partly through our faithfulness, commitment and dedication, the way is paved for the Lord Jesus to establish His kingship here on earth. As soon as the last person has been added to the church of God, the Lord Jesus comes. As far as our responsibility is concerned, we can help to ensure that this happens quickly. Through our faithfulness, commitment and dedication we can hasten the dawn of God’s day, that is, let it begin sooner ( ). The day of God is the day when God will “be all in all” ( ) and all things will answer to Whom He is.

‏ 1 Chronicles 11:9

The Heroes of David

David now dwells in Jerusalem and grows in stature (1Chr 11:9). That the LORD of hosts is with him, is evident from the list of mighty men. David grows in stature because of the great men around him, his heroes. Above all, he grows in stature, because the LORD of hosts is with him. The men of valor are led by the LORD to David. They followed him in the time of his being rejected and have become heroes. By the LORD of hosts, to which also the army of David belongs, they are mentioned as men who helped David to acquire his kingship and the conquest of the royal city.

These men owe their stature to him (1Chr 11:10). By strengthening him they strengthened themselves and their own interests. They have given “him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel”. His prosperity is their prosperity. Through their connection with David they share in all that is his part. So it is with us in our connection with the Lord Jesus. What we do to promote the kingdom of the Son of David will be for our profit. What makes someone great is the good he does. This greatness cannot be obtained without work and danger for one’s own life. It is about the good fight of faith in the Lord Jesus.

Hereafter follows the list of the names of David’s heroes (1Chr 11:11-47). This list is also in the second book of Samuel (2Sam 23:8-39). In 2 Samuel 23 this list is given at the end of David’s life, while here the heroes are mentioned at the beginning of his reign. The heroes and their actions are remembered here in relation to the time when David was not yet king.

From this we can learn the lesson that we are heroes if we already live up to the reign of the Lord Jesus in our lives. He will remember and appreciate this when we are with Him later. Nothing of what is done for the Lord in the time of His rejection is forgotten by Him (cf. Lk 22:28-30).

The heroes are mentioned in connection with their actions in three areas. They have fought

1. with the enemies,

2. for the land and

3. for David.

The deeds of heroism reflect David’s great heroic deed in defeating Goliath.

The LORD has made David king, but here is seen the commitment of David’s followers to make him king. Their lives show us the kind of people who helped David to acquire the kingship. We see what spirit has inspired them and what has led them to their intense personal dedication.

We can also apply this to ourselves. Partly through our faithfulness, commitment and dedication, the way is paved for the Lord Jesus to establish His kingship here on earth. As soon as the last person has been added to the church of God, the Lord Jesus comes. As far as our responsibility is concerned, we can help to ensure that this happens quickly. Through our faithfulness, commitment and dedication we can hasten the dawn of God’s day, that is, let it begin sooner (2Pet 3:12). The day of God is the day when God will “be all in all” (1Cor 15:28) and all things will answer to Whom He is.