And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.

1 KINGS 11:24KJV
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1 Kings 11:24 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 11:24 mean?

1 Kings 11:24 describes how a man gathered followers, became the leader of a group of men, and after David defeated the people of Zobah, this group went to Damascus, settled there, and took control of the city. The verse shows the rise of a new leader and the shift of power to Damascus after a military defeat.

This verse is part of a story about Hadad the Edomite and other adversaries who rose up against Solomon after David’s reign. The man mentioned here is likely Rezon, who, after David’s victory over Zobah, escaped, gathered supporters, and established himself as ruler in Damascus. The verse sets up the background for future conflicts between Israel and the kingdom of Aram (Syria), with Damascus as its center.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 11:24

  • "gathered" (קָבַץ, qavats): This word means to collect or assemble people together. It emphasizes that the leader did not act alone but built up a following, showing his ability to attract and organize men.
  • "captain" (שַׂר, sar): This word means a chief, leader, or commander. It highlights that the man became more than just a rebel; he took on an official role as the head of his group.
  • "band" (גְּדוּד, gedud): This word refers to a troop or raiding party, often used for groups that engage in guerrilla or military actions. It suggests the group was organized for fighting, not just for settlement.
  • "reigned" (מָלַךְ, malakh): This word means to rule as a king or sovereign. It shows that the man’s authority in Damascus was not just military but also political, establishing a new kingdom.

Why 1 Kings 11:24 matters

  • This verse explains how Damascus, a major city in Syria, came under the rule of a new power after David’s military campaigns, setting the stage for later conflicts with Israel.
  • The verse shows how the aftermath of David’s victories led to unintended consequences, with displaced leaders becoming new threats to Israel.
  • Understanding this background helps explain why Syria (Aram) became a persistent rival to Israel in the following chapters, connecting the political shifts to earlier events in David’s reign.

Where else these words appear

“band” Hebrew H1416 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 49:19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
  • 2 Kings 13:20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:13 But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.

“Damascus” Hebrew H1834 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
  • 2 Kings 16:11 And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
  • Isaiah 17:3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.

“gathered” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.