1 Chronicles 12 Study Notes

12:23-37 Shifting now to the time of David’s coronation at Hebron, an army totaling more than 300,000 gathered to follow David’s command.

12:26-28 Not only did the Levites allow themselves to be conscripted, but even Zadok—soon to assume duty as high priest—let himself be counted.

12:29-30 The Benjaminites finally pledged their support to David. This was a great change of heart for them. Even though there had been some supporters from Benjamin early on (v. 16), at this point the entire tribe of Benjamin became loyal to David, though the number of their soldiers at 3,000 was still the smallest of the tribes.

12:32 The Chronicler specifically mentions the tribe of Issachar. He declares that they understood the times, showing their conviction that David should be made king over all Israel. A total of 200 chiefs would have been in charge of a large number of soldiers.

12:37 The enrollment of tribes from the eastern side of the Jordan River—Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh—underscores the unity of this army.

12:38-40 These warriors were official representatives of their tribes. The times were not yet prosperous, so David could not feed all of them. They brought their own food, provided by relatives; others sent caravans of provisions from as far away as the most northern tribes.