1 Chronicles 12:21-31

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 Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Yahweh.

24 The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.

25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

27 Jehoiada was the leader of [the house of] Aaron; and with him were three thousand and seven hundred,

28 and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty-two captains.

29 Of the children of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.

30 Of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.

31 Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.

1 Chronicles 12:21-31 Meaning and Commentary

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.