1 Chronicles 12

1 Now these are those who came to David to Tziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Sha'ul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war.
2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow: they were of Sha'ul's brothers of Binyamin.
3 The chief was Achi`ezer; then Yo'ash, the sons of Shema`ah the Giv`atite, and Yezi'el, and Pelet, the sons of `Azmavet, and Berakha, and Yehu the `Antotite,
4 and Yishma`yahu the Giv`oni, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Yirmeyahu, and Yachazi'el, and Yochanan, and Yozavad the Gederatite,
5 Eluzai, and Yerimot, and Bealiah, and Shemaryahu, and Shefatyah the Harufite,
6 Elkana, and Yishshiyah, and `Azar'el, and Yoezer, and Yashov`am, the Korchi,
7 and Yo`elah, and Zevadyah, the sons of Yerocham of Gedor.
8 Of the Gadi there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes on the mountains;
9 Etzer the chief, `Ovadyah the second, Eli'av the third,
10 Mishmannah the fourth, Yirmeyahu the fifth,
11 `Attai the sixth, Eli'el the seventh,
12 Yochanan the eighth, Elzavad the ninth,
13 Yirmeyahu the tenth, Makhbannai the eleventh.
14 These of the sons of Gad were captains of the host: he who was least was equal to one hundred, and the greatest to one thousand.
15 These are those who went over the Yarden in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.
16 There came of the children of Binyamin and Yehudah to the stronghold to David.
17 David went out to meet them, and answered them, If you be come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you; but if [you be come] to betray me to my adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
18 Then the Spirit came on `Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, [and he said], Your are we, David, and on your side, you son of Yishai: shalom, shalom be to you, and shalom be to your helpers; for your God helps you. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
19 Of Menashsheh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Pelishtim against Sha'ul to battle: but they didn't help them; for the lords of the Pelishtim on advise sent him away, saying, He will fall away to his master Sha'ul to the jeopardy of our heads.
20 As he went to Tziklag, there fell to him of Menashsheh, `Adnach, and Yozavad, and Yedi`a'el, and Mikha'el, and Yozavad, and Elihu, and Tzilletai, captains of thousands who were of Menashsheh.
21 They helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the host.
22 For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great host, like the host of God.
23 These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hevron, to turn the kingdom of Sha'ul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
24 The children of Yehudah who bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.
25 Of the children of Shim`on, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
27 Yehoiada was the leader of [the house of] Aharon; and with him were three thousand and seven hundred,
28 and Tzadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty-two captains.
29 Of the children of Binyamin, the brothers of Sha'ul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Sha'ul.
30 Of the children of Efrayim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.
31 Of the half-tribe of Menashsheh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.
32 Of the children of Yissakhar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Yisra'el ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their mitzvah.
33 Of Zevulun, such as were able to go out in the host, who could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand, and who could order [the battle array, and were] not of double heart.
34 Of Naftali one thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty-seven thousand.
35 Of the Dani who could set the battle in array, twenty-eight thousand six hundred.
36 Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the host, who could set the battle in array, forty thousand.
37 On the other side of the Yarden, of the Re'uveni, and the Gadi, and of the half-tribe of Menashsheh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, one hundred twenty thousand.
38 All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hevron, to make David king over all Yisra'el: and all the rest also of Yisra'el were of one heart to make David king.
39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had made preparation for them.
40 Moreover those who were near to them, [even] as far as Yissakhar and Zevulun and Naftali, brought bread on donkeys, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, victuals of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Yisra'el.

1 Chronicles 12 Commentary

Chapter 12

Those who came to David at Ziklag. (1-22) Those who came to Hebron. (23-40)

Verses 1-22 Here is an account of those who appeared and acted as David's friends, while he was persecuted. No difficulties or dangers should keep the sinner from coming to the Savior, nor drive the believer from the path of duty. Those who break through, and overcome in these attempts, will find abundant recompence. From the words of Amasai we may learn how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus; his we must be throughly; on his side we must be forward to appear and act. If we are under the influence of the Spirit, we shall desire to have our lot among them, and to declare ourselves on their side; if in faith and love we embrace the cause of Christ, he will receive, employ, and advance us.

Verses 23-40 When the throne of Christ is set up in a soul, there is, or ought to be, great joy in that soul; and provision is made, not as here, for a few days, but for the whole life, and for eternity. Happy are those who wisely perceive it to be their duty and interest, to submit to the Saviour Jesus Christ, the Son of David; who renounce for his sake all that is not consistent; whose earnest endeavours to do good are directed by the wisdom that God giveth, through acquaintance with his word, experience, and observation. If any man lack this wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 12

This chapter gives an account of those that came to David at different times, and joined and assisted him both before the death of Saul, and when persecuted by him, and after he was made king of Judah in Hebron, and before he was king of all Israel, in order to it; of the Benjaminites that came to him when at Ziklag, 1Ch 12:1-7 of the Gadites that came to him when in the hold, 1Ch 12:8-15 of some of Judah and Benjamin, who came to him in the same place, 1Ch 12:16-18, and of the Manassites at the time he came with the Philistines against Saul, 1Ch 12:19-22 and the number of the several tribes are given, that came to him at Hebron to make him king over all Israel, 1Ch 12:23-40.

1 Chronicles 12 Commentaries

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.