1Ch 12:1 Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war.
This chapter is composed wholly of matter that has no corresponding accounts occurring in Samuel. It comprises four lists: (1) One of men, chiefly Benjamites, who joined David at Ziklag 1Ch_12:1-7; (2) A second of Gadites who united themselves to him when he was in a stronghold near the desert 1Ch_12:8-15; (3) A third of Manassites who came to him when he was dismissed by the Philistines upon suspicion 1Ch_12:19-22; and (4) A fourth of the numbers from the different tribes who attended and made him king at Hebron 1 Chr. 12:23-40.
1Ch 12:1
Came to David to Ziklag - Achish, king of Gath, had given Ziklag to David, as a safe retreat from the wrath of Saul 1Sa_27:6 And Achish gave him Ziklag that day. And Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day. Ziklag was originally allotted to the Simeonites by Joshua (Jos_19:5; 1Ch_4:30), but at a later time came into possession of the Philistines, and was assigned and presented by king Achish to David, who had fled for refuge to him, as a dwelling-place for himself and his followers. In it David dwelt for a year and four months, until he went to Hebron on the death of Saul.
while he yet kept himself close, because of Saul the son of Kish - that is, when the king’s jealousy had driven him into exile from the court and the country. When he was an exile from his own country, and obliged to live retired in a foreign one, because of Saul's persecution of him, and seeking to take away his life:
they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war - not against Saul, with whom David had none, but with the Amalekites, and others.
1Ch 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.
They were armed with bows - The skill of the Benjamites as archers is noted in 1Ch_8:40, and 2Ch_14:8. Their proficiency in using the left hand appears in the narrative of Judges Jdg_3:15 where their special excellency as slingers is also noticed.
Even of Saul’s brethren - Even of Saul’s own tribe there were some who separated themselves from his cause, and threw in their lot with David.
could use both the right hand and the left - in hurling stones, and shooting arrows out of a bow; they were ambidextrous; who could sling stones, or shoot arrows, with either, which was of great advantage to them:
1Ch 12:3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,
the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite - Who was of Gibeah, in the tribe of Benjamin, sometimes called Gibeah of Benjamin, and of Saul, it being his birthplace, 1Sa_11:4 and so these might be some of his kindred:
Jehu the Antothite - or Anethothite, who was of Anathoth, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, the native place of Jeremiah the prophet.
1Ch 12:4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,
Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty - That came with him, and he had the command of; this man was of Gibeon, another city in the tribe of Benjamin, Jos_18:25.
Josabad, the Gederathite - one of Gederah, a city in the tribe of Judah, perhaps on the borders of that and Benjamin;
1Ch 12:5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,
Shephatiah the Haruphite - A native of Haruph or Hariph, Neh_7:24.
1Ch 12:6 Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,
the Korhites - in 1Ch_12:6 are, without doubt the descendants of the Levite Korah, one division of whom David made guardian of the thresholds of the tent erected for the ark of the covenant on Zion, because their fathers had been watchers of the entrance of the camp, had in that earlier time held the office of watchers by the tabernacle; see on 1Ch_9:18.
1Ch 12:7 And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
the sons of Jeroham of Gedor - A city in the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:58 and might now belong to Benjamin; or this was another city of the same name in that tribe.
1Ch 12:8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;
Into the hold to the wilderness - Rather, “into the hold toward the wilderness.” Some understand by this Ziklag, some En-gedi 1Sa_24:1-2; but it seems most probable that here and in 1Ch_12:16 the stronghold of Adullam is intended 1Ch_11:15-16.
And were as swift as the roes - which are remarkable for their swiftness on the mountains. That swiftness was considered to be a grand accomplishment in a warrior, appears from all ancient writings which treat of military affairs.
And of the Gadites - Men of the tribe of Gad, who lived on the other side Jordan; these separated themselves from the rest of their tribe, from their families and dwellings, and from the government of Saul, and came over to David, and joined him either when he was in some strong hold in the wilderness of Ziph, or Maon, 1Sa_23:14, or, as some think, when he was at Ziklag, in the hold there, said to be in the wilderness of Judah: These Gadites, as with their undaunted looks and courage, intimidated their enemies, and put them to flight, so they were swift to pursue them, and overtake them.
This passage 1Ch_12:8-15 seems to be taken verbatim from an ancient source, the poetical expressions in 1Ch_12:8, 1Ch_12:14, being especially unlike the usual style of our author.
1Ch 12:9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,
Ezer the first - This, and those that follow, are the names of the Gadites given, according to their age, or merit, or order in coming to David: Obadiah, Eliab, Mishmannah, Jeremiah, Attai, Eliel, Johanan, Elzabad, Jeremiah, Machbanai; in all eleven.
1Ch 12:10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,
1Ch 12:11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
1Ch 12:12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,
1Ch 12:13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.
1Ch 12:14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.
These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host - Of the militia in their own country, and of the men they brought with them; or they were such afterwards in David's army:
one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand - David, while at Ziklag, had not so large an amount of forces as to give to each of these the command of so many men. Another meaning, therefore, must be sought, that one of the least could discomfit a hundred, and the greatest was worth a thousand ordinary men; a strong hyperbole to express their uncommon valor.
one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand - or one that was least could resist an hundred, the greatest a thousand. Lev_26:8 And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight. And your enemies shall fall by the sword in front of you. Deu_32:30 How shall one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them and the LORD had shut them up?
1Ch 12:15 These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.
In the first month - Perhaps this was the month Nisan, which answers to a part of our March and April. This was probably when the snows on the mountains were beginning to melt, just as Jordan began to overflow its banks or had already overflowed its banks, it made their attempt more hazardous, and afforded additional proof of their heroism. This is observed to show both the time of the year when they came over, and their zeal and ardor to assist David, and their boldness and intrepidity; fearless of danger, they threw themselves into Jordan, and swam over it, in all probability when the waters of it were so deep they could not ford it, and so rapid that they were in danger of being carried away with them:
they put to flight all them of the valleys - This was probably done at the time of their separating themselves and their purpose being discovered, they had to cut their passage through the opposing adherents of Saul, both on the eastern and western banks. The impossibility of taking the fords at such a time, and the violent rapidity of the current, make this crossing of the Jordan - in whatever way these Gadites accomplished it - a remarkable feat.
1Ch 12:16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.
the children of Benjamin and Judah - It is probable that the Benjamites invited the Judahites to accompany them, in order to prevent David being suspicious of them. Their anticipations, as the result showed, were well founded. He did suspect them, but the doubts of David as to their object in repairing to him, were promptly dispelled by Amasai or Amasa, who, by the secret impulse of the Spirit, assured him of their strong attachment and their zealous service from a unanimous conviction that his cause was owned and blessed of God (1Sa_18:12-14). Their names are not in the lists, possibly because they were not handed down in the historical works made use of by the chronicler. At their head, as we learn from 1Ch_12:18, stood Amasai, chief of the thirty, although his name does not occur in the catalogue, 1 Chron 11.
1Ch 12:17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
And David went out to meet them - Out of the hold where he was; either out of respect and deference to them, some of them being persons of eminence; or it may be out of suspicion, fearing they were not his friends, being, it may be, chiefly of the tribe of Benjamin, and therefore was desirous of sounding them before he admitted them:
mine heart shall be knit unto you - they should have such a share in his affections, that their hearts would be as one, as his and Jonathan's were, 1Sa_18:1,
the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it - he that sees all things, let him revenge it; and it is not only a wish that he would, but a prayer of faith that so it would be.
The God of our fathers - He calls God, the God of our fathers, both his fathers and theirs; thus he minds them, not to deal ill with him; for they were both descendents from the same patriarchs, and servants of the same God. And thus he encourages himself to believe, that God would right him, if he was abused. For he was the God of his fathers; therefore a blessing was entailed upon him: and a God to all Israel in particular, as well as a Judge to all the earth.
1Ch 12:18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
The spirit came upon Amasai - so that he proclaimed himself enthusiastic for David and his cause. All that was of importance here was to show that the resolution announced by Amasai was an effect of higher spiritual influence.
who was chief of the captains - of them that came at this time with him to David; he was believed by some scholars to be afterwards Absalom's general, and designed to be David's, but was murdered by Joab:
for thy God helpeth thee - which they perceived by the remarkable deliverances of him out of the hand of Saul, when in imminent danger.
1Ch 12:19 And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.
there fell some of Manasseh to David - Of the tribe of Manasseh; they took his part, and on his side, and joined him:
but they helped them not –neither David nor his men helped the Philistines, nor did the Manassites that joined David.
for the lords of the Philistines, upon advisement - counsel taken among themselves: sent away David and his men:
he will fall to his master Saul, to the jeopardy of our heads - meaning, that he would go off with his troops to Saul, and betray them into his hands, and with their heads make his peace with him.
1Ch 12:20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.
As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh - Others besides the former, who joined him when he went with the Philistines; these joined him when he was dismissed from them, and was returning to Ziklag. These captains of Manasseh seem to have met David as he was returning from the army of the Philistines to Ziklag. It is probable that they did not bring their companies with them; yet they both assured him of future assistance and and very likely helped him against the Amalekites who had spoiled Ziklag. 1Sa_29:11
captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh - that tribe being, as the rest were, divided into hundreds and thousands; these were captains over the thousands of the militia of the tribe.
1Ch 12:21 And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.
they helped David against the band of the rovers - Against the Amalekites who had taken and burnt Ziklag, whom David and his six hundred men were now pursuing. The Amalekites, who, while David was gone with the Philistines, had seized on Ziklag, and burnt it, and carried the women captive, with what spoil they could make; these coming to David assisted him in his pursuit and defeat of them:
1Ch 12:22 For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.
like the host of God - Innumerable, like the stars or angels, both which are called God's hosts.
1Ch 12:23 And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
And came to David to Hebron - That is, after the death of Ishbosheth, when David had reigned seven years in Hebron:.
And these are the numbers of the bands - That were trained for war, and accounted for it: The account commences with the southern tribes, Levi being associated with Judah and Simeon, as the great majority of the leading men in this tribe resided in Judah; and, after recounting the representatives of the northern tribes, it concludes with those on the east of Jordan.
to turn the kingdom of Saul to him - to transfer it to him and his family:
1Ch 12:24 The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.
The sons of Judah - How does it happen that smaller tribes are so strongly represented, while Judah sends only a relatively small number of warriors? It appears that Judah's being represented by a number of warriors relatively so small, is accounted for simply by the fact that David had already been king over Judah for seven years, and consequently that tribe did not need to make him king by coming with the whole of its warriors, or the majority of them, when the other tribes were doing homage to David, but sent only a small number of its male population to this solemn act, who were witnesses in the name of the whole tribe to the homage proffered by the others. The same remark applies to the tribe of Simeon, whose domain was enclosed by that of Judah, and which had consequently recognized David as king at the same time as the larger tribe.
1Ch 12:25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
1Ch 12:26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
The sons of Levi - Levi had in the last year of David's reign 38,000 men from thirty years old and upwards (1Ch_23:3); and when here only 4600 Levites, besides the priestly families, are spoken of, the question arises, whether this number is to be understood to refer to the Levites in all the tribes, or only to those dwelling outside of Judah and Simeon, in the cities assigned to them by Moses and Joshua.
1Ch 12:27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites - not the high priest, for Abiathar was then high priest, and Jehoiada leader over the warriors of the house of Aaron.
1Ch 12:28 And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.
Zadok - may be the same who was made high priest in place of Abiathar (1Ki_2:26, 1Ki_6:8). The father's-house of Zadok is the Aaronite family descended from Eleazar.
1Ch 12:29 And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.
The sons of Benjamin - This small number shows the unpopularity of the movement in this tribe; and, indeed, it is expressly stated that the mass of the population had, even after Ishbosheth’s death, anxiously endeavored to secure the crown in the family of Saul.
For hitherto the greatest part of them kept the ward to the house of Saul - The smallness of the number from the tribe of Benjamin is explained by the remark that the majority of this tribe still held to the house of Saul. This is given as the reason for so few coming to Hebron. It shows us that, even after the death of Ishbosheth, the Benjamites had hopes of furnishing a third king to the nation.
1Ch 12:30 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers.
The sons of Ephraim - The Ephraimites are so few (20,800 men) in contrast to the approximately 140,000 men brought into the field by the half-tribe of Manasseh 1Ch_12:31, 1Ch_12:37. But consider that Ephraim, which at the first census under Moses at Sinai had 40,500 men, had decreased to 32,500 at the second census in the wilderness of Moab, it is not improbable that at this time the tribe may not have been very strong in fighting men. For in Saul's last war with the Philistines, when they had pressed forward so far as Mount Gilboa, and also in Abner's struggle on behalf of King Ishbosheth for the re-conquest of the territory occupied by them, it probably suffered more, and was more weakened, than any of the other tribes. Perhaps also we may add that Ephraim, owing to its jealousy of Judah, which dates from the time of the judges, was not very much disposed to make David king over all Israel.
1Ch 12:31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
Manasseh - Which was within Jordan: for of the other half beyond Jordan see 1Ch_12:37.
1Ch 12:32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
Men that had understanding of the times - They were intelligent men, who understood the signs of the times, well versed in political affairs, and knew what was proper to be done in all the exigencies of human life; and who now perceived that it was both the duty and political interest of Israel to advance David to the throne. Jewish writers say that the people of this tribe were eminent for their acquirements in astronomical and physical science; and the object of the remark was probably to show that the intelligent and learned classes were united with the military, and had declared for David.
1Ch 12:33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.
Who could keep rank — that is, were more disciplined soldiers than the rest.
not of double heart — Though their numbers were large, all were solid behind David. They were sincerely loyal, and did not dissemble with David, pretending to be for him, while in their hearts they favored Saul's family. And none had any separate interests, but all were for the public good.
Expert in war - excelling with all manner of warlike weapons. The writer notes in each tribe the point in which it was most admirable.
1Ch 12:34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
1Ch 12:35 And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
1Ch 12:36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.
expert in war - keeping their rank.
1Ch 12:37 And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand.
1Ch 12:38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
All these men of war that could keep rank - Well disciplined men:
came with a perfect heart to Hebron - they were all of one mind, and quite hearty and sincere in fixing David on the throne of all Israel:
all the rest also of Israel were of one heart - those who did not come were also of the same mind; it was the unanimous voice of the people that he should be their king.
with a perfect heart - The meaning of this expression may be inferred from that of a double heart in 1Ch_12:33. If a double heart is expressive of insincerity or duplicity, a perfect heart, which seems to be put in opposition to it, must signify a sincere, faithful, and entire attachment.
1Ch 12:39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
there they were with David three days, eating and drinking — According to the statements made in the preceding verses, the number of armed warriors assembled in Hebron on this occasion amounted to three hundred thousand. Supplies of provisions were abundantly furnished, not only by the people of the neighborhood, but from distant parts of the country, for all wished the festivities to be on a scale of liberality and magnificence suitable to the auspicious occasion.
They were with David three days - Keeping a festival, to testify their joy on this occasion: These might have been the deputies of the different people mentioned here: one scholar thinks it is not likely that all the thousands mentioned above could have feasted with David for three days; and yet it appears there was even of these a great number, for the men of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, who were nearest to this place of rendezvous, had brought all the necessaries for such a feast. From the whole it appears most evident that the great majority of the tribes of Israel wished to see the kingdom confirmed in the hands of David.
for their brethren had prepared for them - not the inhabitants of Hebron only, but all the country round about, brought in provisions on this joyful occasion; otherwise the men of Hebron would not have been able to have provided what was sufficient for such a vast number, as appears by what follows.
1Ch 12:40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.
Moreover, they that were nigh - To Hebron, or bordered on the tribe of Judah:
even unto Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali - as far as to those tribes, and including them: Not only these who performed this service, but also those of the remaining tribes dwelling near them; and indeed the men of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, those on the northern frontier of Canaan as well as those who bordered upon Judah
and on oxen - who, though commonly employed in ploughing, yet, on this occasion, might be made use of either in drawing wagons laden with provisions, such as follow, or in carrying loads on their backs.
for there was joy in Israel - that their civil wars were ended; that they were united into one kingdom again; and had a king over them according to their hearts' desire, the darling of the people, of whom they had raised expectations; being a valiant, prudent, and good man, who, above all, was one of God's choosing, appointing, and anointing: greater joy there will be, when David's son and antitype, Zion's King, reigns, when he shall be King over all the earth.
