1 Chronicles 11:9 makes it very clear that David’s early successes, through which he greatly increased in strength, were not due to his own or his commander’s personal strength but to the Lord's presence with him. The divine title here used is the Lord of hosts
(Yahweh tseba'oth). The term first appears in 1 Samuel 1:3. Given the frequent use of tseba’oth in 1–2 Samuel to refer to armies (1 Samuel 12:9; 1 Samuel 14:50; 1 Samuel 17:55; 2 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 10:16), it is thought that the compound name refers to Yahweh as the God of armies, that is, God as his armies to serve him. These are considered to be armies of angels who are ministering servants to God.1 The term is used sparingly by the Chronicler, in contrast to the mainly postexilic prophets, namely, Jeremiah (eighty-eight times), Zechariah (fifty-five times), Malachi (twenty-five times), Haggai (fourteen times), specifically at times when God’s people had either suffered defeat at the hands of enemy armies or were threatened by defeat.2 These were occasions where God's people needed to be reminded that their covenant God had great hosts to fight and work for him on behalf of his people.
The name then indicates God’s authority and power and, with its military overtones, is appropriate before listing David’s mighty men.3
9 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.