Chapter 11

Therefore, all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel. (1 Chronicles 11:3)

In reality, this was David's third time being anointed. The first one happened when David was still a very small boy and took place in front of his family and Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). After Saul's death, Judah's tribe bestowed onto David anointing and recognition, which brought about the second event (2 Samuel 2:4). After Ishbosheth, another son of Saul who had staked his claim to the throne, had been defeated, the third anointing took place.

Now David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” And Joab, the son of Zeruiah, went up first, and became chief. (1 Chronicles 11:6)

Although Joab, son of Zeruiah, was serving as captain of David's army at the time, David had previously said that the person who led the charge into Jerusalem's walls would be promoted to the position of chief and captain. It's possible that David had hoped that someone else would take Joab's place, but Joab's persistence allowed him to be the one to break into Jerusalem first, which allowed him to keep his post.

And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.
Emmanuel was with him. (1 Chronicles 11:9)

It is the presence of the Lord that makes one great. The secret of greatness is not hard work but the presence of the LORD.

Then the Three [mighty men] broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate and brought it to David. But David would not drink it; he poured it out to the Lord. (1 Chronicles 11:18)

The dedication that these men had towards David was phenomenal. They did not care about their lives. Their dedication came first, even before their very lives.