1 Chronicles 12:21

21 They helped David in his raids against the desert bandits; they were all stalwart fighters and good leaders among his raiders.

1 Chronicles 12:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:21

And they helped David against the band of the rovers
The Amalekites, who, while he was gone with the Philistines, had seized on Ziklag, and burnt it, and carried the women captive, with what spoil they could make; these coming to David thus opportunely, assisted him in his pursuit and defeat of them:

for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host;
or army of David.

1 Chronicles 12:21 In-Context

19 Some from the tribe of Manasseh also defected to David when he started out with the Philistines to go to war against Saul. In the end, they didn't actually fight because the Philistine leaders, after talking it over, sent them home, saying, "We can't trust them with our lives - they'll betray us to their master Saul."
20 The men from Manasseh who defected to David at Ziklag were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, all leaders among the families of Manasseh.
21 They helped David in his raids against the desert bandits; they were all stalwart fighters and good leaders among his raiders.
22 Hardly a day went by without men showing up to help - it wasn't long before his band seemed as large as God's own army!
23 Here are the statistics on the battle-seasoned warriors who came down from the north to David at Hebron to hand over Saul's kingdom, in accord with God's word:
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.