4 And David goeth, and all Israel, to Jerusalem—it 'is' Jebus—and there the Jebusite, the inhabitants of the land. 5 And the inhabitants of Jebus say to David, 'Thou dost not come in hither;' and David captureth the fortress of Zion—it 'is' the city of David. 6 And David saith, 'Whoever smiteth the Jebusite first doth become head and prince;' and go up first doth Joab son of Zeruiah and becometh head.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:4-6
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 11:1-9
(Read 1 Chronicles 11:1-9)
David was brought to possess the throne of Israel after he had reigned seven years in Hebron, over Judah only. God's counsels will be fulfilled at last, whatever difficulties lie in the way. The way to be truly great, is to be really useful, to devote all our talents to the Lord.