David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s city. David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief. David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it David’s city. He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
Show the surrounding paragraph
1 Chronicles 11:4-8 sits inside this longer paragraph.
So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to Yahweh’s word by Samuel. David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s city. David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief. David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it David’s city. He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him. Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to Yahweh’s word concerning Israel.
Parallel Translations
-
David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (also called Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.
The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s city.
David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.
David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it David’s city.
He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
-
And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.
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.
And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.
And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
Show all 3 translations
-
And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem — the same is Jebus — and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.
And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David: 'Thou shalt not come in hither.' Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.
And David said: 'Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.' And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.
And David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David.
And he built the city round about, from Millo even round about; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
Cross-references (48)
- Judges 1:21 (v4) The children of Benjamin didn’t drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem, but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in…
- 2 Samuel 8:16 (v6) Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder,
- Joshua 15:8 (v4) The border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom to the side of the Jebusite (also called Jerusalem) southward; and the border went up…
- Joshua 15:63 (v4) As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah couldn’t drive them out; but the Jebusites live with the children…
- 1 Chronicles 11:5 (vv4, 7) The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s…
Show all 46 cross-references
- Genesis 15:21 (v4) the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”
- 2 Samuel 5:7 (v7) Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.
- 1 Kings 11:27 (v8) This was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breach of his father David’s city.
- Psalms 132:13 (v5) For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.
- Psalms 2:6 (vv5, 7) “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
- Genesis 10:16 (v4) the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,
- Exodus 3:17 (v4) I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the…
- Joshua 15:16-17 (v6) Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.” Othniel the son of Kenaz, the…
- Joshua 18:28 (v4) Zelah, Eleph, the Jebusite (also called Jerusalem), Gibeath, and Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of…
- Judges 9:6 (v8) All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together with all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar…
- Judges 9:20 (v8) but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of…
- Judges 19:10-12 (v4) But the man wouldn’t stay that night, but he rose up and went near Jebus (also called Jerusalem). With him were a couple of saddled…
- 1 Samuel 17:9-10 (v5) If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you will be our…
- 1 Samuel 17:25 (v6) The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? He has surely come up to defy Israel. The king will give great riches to…
- 1 Samuel 17:26 (v5) David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from…
- 1 Samuel 17:36 (v5) Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has defied the armies of…
- 2 Samuel 2:18 (v6) The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.
- 2 Samuel 3:27 (v6) When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the…
- 2 Samuel 5:6-10 (v4) The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the…
- 2 Samuel 5:9 (v5) David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.
- 2 Samuel 6:10 (v5) So David would not move Yahweh’s ark to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house.
- 2 Samuel 6:12 (v5) King David was told, “Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of God’s ark.” So David went and…
- 2 Samuel 20:23 (v6) Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites,
- 1 Kings 8:1 (v5) Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, with all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ households of the children of…
- 1 Kings 9:15 (v8) This is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised, to build Yahweh’s house, his own house, Millo, Jerusalem’s wall, Hazor, Megiddo,…
- 2 Kings 12:20 (v8) His servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and struck Joash at the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla.
- 1 Chronicles 11:7 (v5) David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it David’s city.
- 2 Chronicles 5:2 (v5) Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ households of the children of…
- Nehemiah 4:2 (v8) He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they…
- Psalms 9:11 (v5) Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done.
- Psalms 48:2 (v5) Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King.
- Psalms 48:12-13 (v5) Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers. Notice her bulwarks. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next…
- Psalms 78:68 (v5) But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved.
- Psalms 87:2 (v5) Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
- Psalms 87:5 (v5) Yes, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one was born in her;” the Most High himself will establish her.
- Psalms 122:5 (v5) For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.
- Psalms 125:1-2 (v5) Those who trust in Yahweh are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh…
- Lamentations 4:11-12 (v5) Yahweh has accomplished his wrath. He has poured out his fierce anger. He has kindled a fire in Zion, which has devoured its foundations.…
- Romans 9:33 (v5) even as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed.”
- Hebrews 12:22 (v5) But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels,
- Revelation 14:1 (v5) I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name…
46 distinct cross-references across this passage (48 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (13 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 7, 8 1Ch 11:4 And David and all Israel went to…
1Ch 11:4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which [is] Jebus; where the Jebusites [were], the inhabitants of the land.
Ver. 4. And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem.] He laid hold on so good an opportunity, having now all his forces about him, to set upon the Jebusites, and expelled them. We should watch and catch at opportunities of grace, and not procrastinate.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv4, 6 Of this and the three following verses See Poole…
Of this and the three following verses See Poole "2Sa 5:6", &c.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v6 Chief - Before this he was one of David's…
Chief - Before this he was one of David's chief captains: but now he is made captain-general of all the forces of Israel and Judah.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv4, 6 1Ch 11:4. David and all Israel went to Jerusalem…
1Ch 11:4. David and all Israel went to Jerusalem — Of this and the following verses, to 1Ch 11:9, see notes on 2Sa 5:6, &c.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v6 The narrative here given fills out a manifest defect…
The narrative here given fills out a manifest defect in 2Sa 5:8 where something has evidently dropped out of the text.
The prowess of Joab on this occasion, and the part which he took in the building of the city of David 1Ch 11:8, are known to us only from this passage of Chronicles.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv5, 8 Here. In 2 Kings v. 6, the passage is…
Here. In 2 Kings v. 6, the passage is much fuller, and attended with many difficulties. Kennicott would correct and translate it: "And they spake unto David, saying, Thou shalt not come hither: for the blind and the lame shall keep thee off, by saying David shall not come hither. But David took the stronghold of Sion," (different from the citadel. Josephus) "which is the city of David. And David said, on that day, whosoever (first) smiteth the Jebusites, and, through the subterraneous passage, reacheth the blind and the lame, which are hated of David’s soul, because the blind and the lame continue to say, he shall not come into this house---shall be head and captain. So Joab, the son of Zeruiah, went up first, and was head."
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv4, 8 HE WINS THE CASTLE OF ZION FROM THE JEBUSITES…
HE WINS THE CASTLE OF ZION FROM THE JEBUSITES BY JOAB'S VALOR. (Ch1 11:4-9)
David and all Israel went to . . . Jebus--(See on Sa2 5:6).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–8 4–9 (= 2Sa_5:6-10). The “City of David” captured and…
4–9 (= 2Sa_5:6-10). The “City of David” captured and made a royal residence
4. David and all Israel] In Samuel (more accurately) “The king and his men,” i.e. his household and body-guard; cp. 1Ch_10:6, note. A picked force, not a large one, was necessary.
Read full note →
which is Jebus] R.V. (the same is Jebus). Jerusalem (or Jebus) consisted, it seems (cp. 1Ch_11:8; Jdg_1:21), of a citadel inhabited by Jebusites and of a lower city inhabited by a mixed population of Jebusites and Benjamites. It was the citadel only which David stormed.
where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land] R.V. and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. The Jebusites are called “inhabitants of the land,” because they were one of the “seven nations” dispossessed by Israel at the conquest (Deu_7:1).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–8 (4) And David . . . land.—Samuel is briefer:…
(4) And David . . . land.—Samuel is briefer: “And the king and his men went to Jerusalem, to the Jebusite, the inhabitant of the land.” The chronicler adds the explanatory “that is Jebus,” because of the after-mention of the Jebusite. He then further modifies the form of the original statement, continuing “and there (lived) the Jebusite (collect.), the inhabitants,” &c.
Jerusalem means city of Salem; Assyrian, Ursalimmê. But in Hebrew the name has been so modified as to suggest “vision of peace.” In Greek the name became Hierosolyma, “Sacred Solyma.”
Read full note →
Inhabitants of the land.—A standing name of the native Canaanites, and equivalent to indigenæ, or Ἀυτόχθονες.
(4-9) THE CAPTURE OF ZION BY JOAB’S VALOUR, AND DAVID’S SETTLEMENT THERE.
The accession of the new king is followed by a warlike enterprise, according to the precedent of Saul (1 Samuel 11). This agrees with the reason assigned for the election of a king (1Sa_8:20), as well as with what we know of Assyrian custom, and is a mark of historic truth.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv4–8 Jerusalem, which is Jebus. This ancient name of Jerusalem,…
Jerusalem, which is Jebus. This ancient name of Jerusalem, of Canaanitish date, is found only once beside, viz. in Jud_1:19:10, 11; the Gentile form of the noun, however, Jebusi, is of more frequent occurrence, and sometimes it is found even as the name of the city. (Jos_15:8, 63 18:16, 28) The derivation and meaning of the word are unascertained. Gesenius explains it to mean "a place dry or downtrodden like a threshing-floor.
Vers. 4-9.
Read full note →
Capture of Jerusalem.
David and all Israel with him went to Jerusalem, then called Jebus, and in the possession of the Jebusites. But they would have none of him. David, however, took the castle of Zion, and Joab subsequently captured the city, and was rewarded for his bravery by promotion to the chief military rank. We have seen the anointed king and his subjects, and now we are presented to the royal residence. In all this Christ is again shadowed forth. We have seen the anointed King Jesus and those who are his faithful ones. He has gone into "the far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return;" and his people shall share in his glory when he shall return. "I go," he said, "to prepare a place for you: and if I go and.prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." He has purchased Zion for his loved ones with his own precious blood, and they shall reign with him in his glory. W.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v5 castle of Zion
castle of Zion
Heb. castle.
Read full note →
(1) Zion, the ancient Jebusite stronghold, is the southwest eminence in Jerusalem, called in Scripture the city of David, and associated with the Davidic royalty both historically and prophetically 1Ch 11:7; Psa 2:6; Isa 2:3. The word is often used of the whole city of Jerusalem considered as the city of God Psa 48:2; Psa 48:3 especially in passages referring to the future kingdom-age; Isa 1:27; Isa 2:3; Isa 4:1-6; Joe 3:16; Zec 1:16; Zec 1:17; Zec 8:3-8; Rom 11:26. In Heb 12:22 the word is used symbolically of heaven.
(2) In Deu 4:48 the name is given to a projection or peak of Mount Hermon.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv4, 7 David and all Israel
David and all Israel
Here the phrase "all Israel" represents the entire Israelite army. AT: "David and all the Israelite army" (See: Metonymy)
Read full note →
Now the Jebusites ... were there
The word "now" is used to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator tells background information about Jerusalem. (See: Background Information)
David took the stronghold of Zion
Here the word "took" is an idiom that means "captured" or "conquered." Since David led the army, his name here is a synecdoche for the whole army who attacked the city. AT: "David captured the stronghold of Zion" or "David and the Israelite army captured the stronghold of Zion" (See: Idiom and Synecdoche)
the stronghold of Zion ... the city of David
Both of these names refer to Jerusalem.
so he was made the chief
This can be stated in active form. AT: "so David made Joab the chief" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
Jerusalem
Jebus
stronghold
Zion
city of David
commander
Joab
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 11:4-9 David’s conquest and rebuilding of Jerusalem established it…
11:4-9 David’s conquest and rebuilding of Jerusalem established it as the capital city of his reign over all Israel.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.