1 Chronicles 12:40

40 Their neighbors also brought food. They brought it on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. They came from as far away as the territories of Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali. There was plenty of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep. The people of Israel brought all of those things because they were so happy.

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 of those fighting men offered to serve in the army. Before they came to Hebron, they had agreed completely to make David king over all of the people of Israel. All of the rest of the people also agreed to make David king.
39 The men spent three days there with David. They ate and drank what their families had given them.
40 Their neighbors also brought food. They brought it on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. They came from as far away as the territories of Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali. There was plenty of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep. The people of Israel brought all of those things because they were so happy.
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