1 Chronicles 12:40

40 And people from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, clusters of raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, sheep, and goats were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel.

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 men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king over all Israel. In fact, everyone in Israel agreed that David should be their king.
39 They feasted and drank with David for three days, for preparations had been made by their relatives for their arrival.
40 And people from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, clusters of raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, sheep, and goats were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.