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.

1 CHRONICLES 11:6KJV
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1 Chronicles 11:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 11:6 mean?

1 Chronicles 11:6 describes how David offered a reward to whoever would be the first to attack the Jebusites, promising to make that person the chief and captain. Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was the first to go up and attack, so he became the chief.

David is speaking to his men as they prepare to take Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The verse shows David using a challenge to inspire bravery among his followers, and Joab responds by taking the initiative. This event explains how Joab secured his leadership position in David’s army.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 11:6

  • "Chief" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): This word means "head" or "leader." David promises that the first attacker will become the main leader, not just a temporary hero.
  • "Captain" (שַׂר, sar): This word refers to a commander or high-ranking official, showing that the reward is a lasting position of authority.
  • "Smiteth" (נָכָה, nakah): This verb means to strike or defeat. David’s challenge is about taking real action against the Jebusites, not just being first in line.

Why 1 Chronicles 11:6 matters

  • The verse clarifies how Joab earned his role as chief military leader, connecting his actions directly to his later authority in David’s reign.
  • It shows David’s leadership style—motivating his men through open challenges and rewards, rather than simply appointing favorites.
  • This moment is a key part of the story of Jerusalem becoming Israel’s capital, marking a turning point in the nation’s history.

Where else these words appear

“Zeruiah” Hebrew H6870 · used in 25 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 17:25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
  • 1 Kings 2:5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

“Jebusites” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 24:16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
  • 2 Samuel 24:3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?