1 Chronicles 12:30-40

30 from Ephraim, 20,800, fierce fighters and famous in their hometowns;
31 from the half-tribe of Manasseh, 18,000 elected to come and make David king;
32 from Issachar, men who understood both the times and Israel's duties, 200 leaders with their families;
33 from Zebulun, 50,000 well-equipped veteran warriors, unswervingly loyal;
34 from Naphtali, 1,000 chiefs leading 37,000 men heavily armed;
35 from Dan, 28,600 battle-ready men;
36 from Asher, 40,000 veterans, battle-ready;
37 and from East of Jordan, men from Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, heavily armed, 120,000.
38 All these soldiers came to David at Hebron, ready to fight if necessary; they were both united and determined to make David king over all Israel. And everyone else in Israel was of the same mind - "Make David king!"
39 They were with David for three days of feasting celebration, with food and drink supplied by their families.
40 Neighbors ranging from as far north as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali arrived with donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen loaded down with food for the party: flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep - joy in Israel! David Goes to Get the Chest of God

1 Chronicles 12:30-40 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.

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.