1 Chronicles 12:8

8 Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.

1 Chronicles 12:8 in Other Translations

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;

8 From the Gadites there went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness mighty and experienced warriors, expert with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were swift as gazelles upon the mountains:

8 Some brave and experienced warriors from the tribe of Gad also defected to David while he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and as swift as deer on the mountains.

8 There were some Gadites there who had defected to David at his wilderness fortress; they were seasoned and eager fighters who knew how to handle shield and spear. They were wild in appearance, like lions, but as agile as gazelles racing across the hills.

8 Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were fighting men, trained for battle, expert with shield and spear. Their faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.

1 Chronicles 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:8

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David, into
the hold to the wilderness
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, ( 1 Samuel 23:14 1 Samuel 23:24 1 Samuel 23:25 ) , or, as some think, when he was at Ziklag, in the hold there, said to be in the wilderness of Judah:

men of might, and men of war, fit for the battle, that could handle
shield and buckler;
warlike, valiant, and courageous men, well skilled in military discipline: whose faces were like the face of lions; bold, stern, and fierce. The philosopher observes ^F4, that of all creatures the lion most resembles a man, having a great mouth, a square face and forehead, large eye brows

and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;
which are remarkable for their swiftness on the mountains, see ( Song of Solomon 2:17 ) ( 8:14 ) . Aelianus ^F5 speaks of one sort of them that run as swift as a tempest. 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 Aristot. Physiognom. c. 5.
F5 De Animal. l. 14. c. 14.

1 Chronicles 12:8 In-Context

6 Elkanah, Ishiah, Azarel, Joezer and Jashobeam the Korahites;

7 and Joelah and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.

8 Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.

9 Ezer was the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 30:11
• 2. 2 Samuel 17:10
• 3. S 2 Samuel 2:18