Chronicles I 12

1 And these they that came to Sikelag, when he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kis; and these among the mighty, aiding in war,
2 and the bow with the right hand and with the left, and slingers with stones, and with bows. Of the brethren of Saul of Benjamin,
3 the chief Achiezer, and Joas son of Asma the Gabathite, and Joel and Jophalet, sons of Asmoth, and Berchia, and Jeul of Anathoth,
4 and Samaias the Gabaonite a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; Jeremia, and Jeziel, and Joanan, and Jozabath of Gadarathiim,
5 Azai and Arimuth, and Baalia, and Samaraia, and Saphatias of Charaephiel,
6 Helcana, and Jesuni, and Ozriel, and Jozara, and Sobocam, and the Corites,
7 and Jelia and Zabadia, sons of Iroam, and the of Gedor.
8 And from Gad these separated themselves to David from the wilderness, strong mighty men of war, bearing shields and spears, and their faces the face of a lion, and they were nimble as roes upon the mountains in speed.
9 Aza the chief, Abdia the second, Eliab the third,
10 Masmana the fourth, Jeremias the fifth,
11 Jethi the sixth, Eliab the seventh,
12 Joanan the eighth, Eleazer the ninth,
13 Jeremia the tenth, Melchabanai the eleventh.
14 These chiefs of the army of the sons of Gad, the least one commander of a hundred, and the greatest one of a thousand.
15 These the that crossed over Jordan in the first month, and it had overflowed all its banks; and they drove out all the inhabitants of the valleys, from the east to the west.
16 And there came of the sons of Benjamin and Juda to the assistance of David.
17 And David went out to meet them, and said to them, If ye are come peaceably to me, let my heart be at peace with you: but if to betray me to my enemies unfaithfully, the God of your fathers look upon it, and reprove it.
18 And the Spirit came upon Amasai, a captain of the thirty, and he said, Go, David, son of Jesse, thou and thy people, peace, peace be to thee, and peace to thy helpers, for thy God has helped thee. And David received them, and made them captains of the forces.
19 And came to David from Manasse, when the Philistines came against Saul to war: and he helped them not, because the captains of the Philistines took counsel, saying, With the heads of those men will he return to his master Saul.
20 When David was going to Sikelag, there came to him of Manasse, Edna and Jozabath, and Rodiel, and Michael, and Josabaith, and Elimuth, and Semathi: are the captains of thousands of Manasse.
21 And they fought on the side of David against a troop, for they all men of might; and they were commanders in the army, of might.
22 For daily men came to David, to a great force, as the force of God.
23 And these the names of the commanders of the army, who came to David to Chebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him according to the word of the Lord.
24 The sons of Juda, bearing shields and spears, six thousand and eight hundred mighty in war.
25 Of the sons of Symeon mighty for battle, seven thousand and a hundred.
26 Of the sons of Levi, four thousand and six hundred.
27 And Joadas the chief of Aaron, and with him three thousand and seven hundred.
28 And Sadoc, a young mighty in strength, and twenty-two leaders of his father's house.
29 And of the sons of Benjamin, the brethren of Saul, three thousand: and still the greater part of them kept the guard of the house of Saul.
30 And of the sons of Ephraim, twenty thousand and eight hundred mighty men, famous in the houses of their fathers.
31 And of the half-tribe of Manasse, eighteen thousand, even who were named by name, to make David king.
32 And of the sons of Issachar having wisdom with regard to the times, knowing what Israel should do, two hundred; and all their brethren with them.
33 And of Zabulon they that went out to battle, with all weapons of war, fifty thousand to help David, not weak-handed.
34 And of Nephthali a thousand captains, and with them with shields and spears, thirty-seven thousand.
35 And of the Danites ready for war twenty-eight thousand and eight hundred.
36 And of Aser, they that went out to give aid in war, forty thousand.
37 And from the country beyond Jordan, from Ruben, and the Gadites, and from the half-tribe of Manasse, a hundred and twenty thousand, with all weapons of war.
38 All these men of war, setting in battle array, with a peaceful mind , and they came to Chebron to make David king over all Israel: and the rest of Israel one mind to make David king.
39 And they were there three days eating and drinking, for their brethren made preparations.
40 And their neighbours, as far as Issachar and Zabulon and Nephthali, brought to them upon camels, and asses, and mules, and upon calves, victuals, meal, cakes of figs, raisins, wine, and oil, calves and sheep abundantly: for joy in Israel.

Chronicles I 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.

Chronicles I 12 Commentaries

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.