1 Chronicles 12:40

40 From as far away as the northern tribes of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, people came bringing donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen loaded with food - flour, figs, raisins, wine, and olive oil. They also brought cattle and sheep to kill and eat. All this was an expression of the joy that was felt throughout the whole country.

1 Chronicles 12:40 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:40

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:

brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules;
all which were creatures used to carry burdens:

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; though, as Tully F7 observes, their backs show they were not formed to receive and carry burdens:

and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and
oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly,
that is, food made of flour, pastries, besides bread, before mentioned, with dried figs, pressed and made into cakes, and clusters of grapes dried, and of liquids, wine and oil, which make cheerful, and beef and mutton in great plenty:

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 studied the good both of church and state, and, 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, and there will be one Lord, and his name one, ( Psalms 97:1 ) ( Isaiah 52:7 ) ( Zechariah 14:9 ) ( Revelation 11:15-17 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F7 De Natura Deorum, l. 2. prope finem.

1 Chronicles 12:40 In-Context

38 All these soldiers, ready for battle, went to Hebron, determined to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of the people of Israel were united in the same purpose.
39 They spent three days there with David, feasting on the food and drink which their relatives had prepared for them.
40 From as far away as the northern tribes of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, people came bringing donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen loaded with food - flour, figs, raisins, wine, and olive oil. They also brought cattle and sheep to kill and eat. All this was an expression of the joy that was felt throughout the whole country.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.