And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.

1 CHRONICLES 11:14KJV
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1 Chronicles 11:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 11:14 mean?

1 Chronicles 11:14 describes how David’s men stood their ground in the middle of a field, defended it from the Philistines, killed their enemies, and experienced a dramatic rescue by God. The verse emphasizes both the bravery of the warriors and the decisive help that came from the LORD.

This verse is part of a story about David’s mighty men, highlighting a specific moment when they refused to retreat, even when outnumbered. The focus is on their courage in battle and the way God intervened to give them a great victory. The passage shows the partnership between human effort and divine deliverance in Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 11:14

  • "Set" (יָצַב, yatsav): This word means to take a stand or position oneself firmly. Here, it stresses the determination and resolve of David’s men as they refused to give ground.
  • "Delivered" (נָצַל, natsal): This word often means to rescue or snatch away from danger. The verse uses it to show that the field was not just defended, but actively saved from being lost to the enemy.
  • "Saved" (יָשַׁע, yasha): This is a common Hebrew word for salvation or deliverance, often used when God rescues His people. Its use here underlines that the victory was not just military skill, but a result of God’s intervention.
  • "Great deliverance" (תְּשׁוּעָה גְּדוֹלָה, teshua gedolah): This phrase means a mighty or significant rescue, highlighting the scale and impact of what God did for them.

Why 1 Chronicles 11:14 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the victory was not only due to the warriors’ bravery, but also because of God’s direct involvement, which is a key theme in the stories of David’s reign.
  • It connects to the larger narrative about David’s mighty men, showing how individual acts of courage contributed to the establishment of his kingdom.
  • The verse helps correct the idea that biblical victories were purely human achievements, emphasizing instead the partnership between faithful action and God’s saving power.