Ch. 1 Chronicles 12:1-22 (not in Samuel). David’s Adherents in exile

The statements (drawn probably from family traditions) given in these verses throw light on the last campaign of Saul and in part explain the catastrophe of Gilboa. The king, it seems, after his rupture with David grew continually weaker through the desertion of some of the boldest spirits of the nation who joined the exiled hero. Some of Saul’s own tribe attached themselves to David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:1-2). During the campaign of Gilboa men of Manasseh joined David when he was actually following the Philistines to battle against Saul (1 Chronicles 12:19). An Israel divided against itself could not stand.

1–7. Benjamite Adherents of David

1. to Ziklag] David at Ziklag was a client of Achish, king of Gath (1 Samuel 27:5-6), so that the Benjamites in joining him were putting themselves under their hereditary enemies the Philistines. The yoke of Saul seemed heavy even to his own tribe (cp. 1 Samuel 8:11-18).

while he yet kept himself close] Render, while he was yet shut up. David was shut in, as in a prison, and unable to move freely through the land of Israel.

helpers of the war] R.V. his helpers in war.

2. both the right hand and the left] On the occasion described in Judges 20 the Benjamites are said to have had seven hundred men lefthanded who could sling stones at a hair and not miss (ib. Jdg 20:16). Cp. Jdg 3:15.

even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin] R.V. they were of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin. Brother is used in Heb. and Arabic for fellow-tribesman; cp. 2 Samuel 19:12.

3. The chief was A., then J.] Read (cp. LXX.) A. the chief, J. the son (sing.) of Shemaah.

Jehu the Antothite] R.V. the Anathothite, i.e. man of Anathoth. See 1 Chronicles 11:28, note.

4. among the thirty and over the thirty] Ismaiah’s name does not occur among the thirty (2 Samuel 23:24-39); the phrase is therefore perhaps only a kind of superlative; Ismaiah was worthy to be ranked with the thirty or even above them. Probably however the list in ch. 11 and that in ch. 12 belong to different times.

the Gederathite] i.e. the man of Gederah. The only Gederah known was in the Judæan Shephelah (Joshua 15:36), so that it would seem that some men of Judah are reckoned along with the Benjamites in these verses. Similarly in 1 Chronicles 12:7 men of the Judæan town of Gedor (1 Chronicles 4:4; Joshua 15:58) are mentioned. It is possible that some words introducing the names of Judæan heroes have dropped out.

6. the Korhites] R.V. the Korahites. Probably not the Levitic but the Calebitic sons of Korah (1 Chronicles 2:43), who belonged to Judah, are meant.

8–15. Gadite Adherents of David

8. And of the Gadites] The Gadites had the name of marauders (Genesis 49:19), and David’s mode of life would attract them. Chronologically 1 Chronicles 12:8 should precede 1 Chronicles 12:1; David was first “in the hold” and afterwards in Ziklag.

separated themselves] i.e. left their brethren E. of Jordan and came W. to join David.

into the hold to the wilderness] R.V. to the hold in the wilderness. It is uncertain whether this hold be or be not the cave of Adullam. See 1 Chronicles 11:15-16, notes.

men of might, and men of war fit for the battle] R.V. mighty men of valour, men trained for war.

that could handle] Lit “ordering.”

shield and buckler] R.V. shield and spear. A.V. follows a mistake of several early editions of the printed Heb. text. There is hardly any MS. authority for buckler. The reference is to the manner of fighting in David’s day. At the threat of an attack an army was drawn up in close array, shield touching shield and spears at the charge. Only in a high state of discipline could men quickly and effectively handle shield and spear thus (1 Samuel 17:2; 1 Samuel 17:8; 1 Samuel 17:21). See Smith, Bib. Dict., ed. 2, pp. 875, 6 for illustrations.

and were as swift] R.V. and they were as swift.

as the roes] In David’s lament (2 Samuel 1) Jonathan is compared to a lion (1 Chronicles 12:23) and to a gazelle (1 Chronicles 12:19 marg., the same Heb. word as for roe here).

10. Jeremiah the fifth] Cp. 1 Chronicles 12:13, Jeremiah the tenth. A very slight difference of spelling distinguishes the two in the Heb.

14. These … the host] R.V. These of the sons of Gad were captains of the host.

one of the least, etc.] R.V. he that was least was equal to an hundred, and the greatest to a thousand. Cp. Leviticus 26:8; Isaiah 30:17.

15. in the first month] In Nisan (the month of harvest) when the snow was melting and filling all streams; cp. Joshua 3:15.

all them of the valleys] i.e. all inhabitants of the valleys who in the interest of Saul sought to bar their march westward to join David.

16–18. Amasai and his Companions

16. to the hold] See 1 Chronicles 12:8, notes.

17. David went out to meet them] Instead of letting himself be surprised he took up a favourable position in advance from which he could hold parley with them. The south of Judah with its ravines and cliffs affords many such positions.

18. the spirit came upon A.] Lit. a spirit (i.e. from God) clothed itself with (i.e. entered into) Amasai. Cp. 2 Chronicles 24:20; Jdg 6:34.

Amasai] Probably to be identified with “Amasa” (2 Samuel 17:25; 2 Samuel 19:13).

chiefs of the captains] So A.V. rightly, following the K’rî. The “captains” are Amasai’s companions. R.V., following the C’thîb, reads “chief of the thirty”; cp. 1 Chronicles 11:15; 1 Chronicles 11:25.

Thine are we, David, and on thy side] Lit. “For thee, David, and with thee.”

for thy God helpeth thee] The belief that David’s frequent escapes from Saul were due to Divine protection influenced Amasai and his companions in joining David.

19–22. Manassite Adherents

19. And there fell some of Manasseh] R.V. Of Manasseh aslo there fell away some.

when he came with the Philistines] See 1 Samuel 28:1-2; 1 Samuel 29:1-11.

but they helped them not] David’s men did not help the Philistines.

upon advisement] “After consideration”; lit. “by counsel.” Cp. 1 Chronicles 21:12, “advise thyself.”

fall] R.V. fall away.

to the jeopardy of our heads] Rather, at the price of our heads. David once became son-in-law to Saul at the price of the lives of two hundred of the Philistines (1 Samuel 18:27); their lords here (in Chron.) express their dread lest David reconcile himself to Saul by some act of treachery and slaughter done against his present Philistine patrons; cp. 1 Samuel 29:4 (“with” = “at the price of”).

20. As he went] i.e. As he returned (1 Samuel 30:1).

Jozabad] This name occurs twice; possibly in the original list different patronymics were attached to the two mentions of the name.

captains of the thousands] R.V. captains of thousands; cp. 1 Chronicles 15:25; Micah 5:2. Tribes were divided into “thousands” which were subdivided into “hundreds.” These divisions were of civil as well as of military significance.

21. against the band of the rovers] The reference is to the Amalekites who burnt Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:1 ff). The Heb. word gĕdûd, here translated “band,” is translated “troop” (ib. 1 Samuel 30:8; 1 Samuel 30:15, R.V.).

and were captains] Render, and they became captains.

22. For at that time day by day] R.V. For from day to day.

the host of God] The phrase comes from Genesis 32:2; cp. Psalm 68:15 (R.V.) “a mountain of God.” The epithet “of God” is used to distinguish a thing as “very great.”

23–40 (cp. 2 Samuel 5:1). The Forces which came to Hebron to make David King

23. of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came] R.V. of the heads of them that were armet for war, which came (“heads” = “persons”).

24. The children of Judah, etc.] The list which follows suggests two questions, (1) Whence did the Chronicler derive it? (2) Are the statements of numbers contained in it trustworthy?

In answer to the first question it may be confidently said that the list as it stands is the composition of the Chronicler himself, for the syntax and vocabulary of the passage are his. Its statements may, however, be based on those of some ancient document. As to the second question it must be confessed that the numbers given to the Northern tribes, especially the trans-Jordanic tribes, are surprisingly large, especially when compared with those of the Southern; thus while the totals of Judah, Simeon, Levi, and Benjamin taken together amount to 25,200 warriors, those of Zebulun, Naphtali, Dan, and Asher amount to 155,600. Yet compare the numbers given in 2 Samuel 24:9 (800,000 men in Israel who drew sword).

25. Simeon] The most southerly of the tribes (1 Chronicles 4:24-31). The tribes are mentioned in order from South to North.

27. of the Aaronites] R.V. of the house of Aaron. Jehoiada was not high-priest, but leader of the warriors of the house of Aaron. He may be the same person as the father of Benaiah (1 Chronicles 11:22). Leader (Heb. nagîd) is the title given to the “Captain” of the Temple (1 Chronicles 9:11, A.V. “ruler”).

28. Zadok] In 1 Chronicles 27:17 he seems to occupy the position assigned to Jehoiada in 1 Chronicles 12:27. Perhaps he succeeded him.

29. hitherto] i.e. up to the time referred to in 2 Samuel 5:1.

kept the ward of the house of Saul] R.V. kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.

30. famous … fathers] R.V. famous men in their fathers’ houses.

31. which were expressed by name] The document followed by the Chronicler probably contained not the names of the 18,000 individuals, but the names of the heads of the families to which they belonged.

32. which were men] R.V. men (simply).

that had understanding of the times] Cp. Esther 1:13, “which knew the times.” “Times” are “opportunities,” “vicissitudes” (cp. 1 Chronicles 29:30), “experiences,” good or bad (cp. Psalm 31:15). The phrase means, therefore, “men of experience, having knowledge of the world.”

33. went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments] R.V. were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments. This description is intended to exclude mere lads (such as David appeared to be, 1 Samuel 17:33) who might be in attendance on the warriors.

which could keep rank: they were not of double heart] R.V. that could order the battle array and were not of double heart; i.e. who moved as one man in battle array; cp. 1 Chronicles 12:8, note on shield and buckler. For “of double heart” cp. 2 Chronicles 30:12, “one heart.”

35. expert in war] R.V. that could set the battle in array; cp. 1 Chronicles 12:33.

36. went forth to battle, expert in war] R.V. were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in army; cp. 1 Chronicles 12:33.

37. an hundred and twenty thousand] Evidently a round number, giving 40,000 to each tribe; cp. 1 Chronicles 12:36.

38. men of war, that could keep rank] R.V. being men of war, that could order the battle array.

with a perfect heart] i.e. with whole, undivided heart.

39. eating and drinking] The feasting probably began with the sacrificial meal with which a covenant was usually ratified; cp. Genesis 31:46; Genesis 31:54.

40. they that were nigh unto them] The relatives of the assembled warriors cared for their needs.

even unto Issachar] R.V. even as far as Issachar. Even those warriors who came from the northern districts were provisioned by their kinsfolk.

and meat, meal] R.V. victual of meal.

bunches of raisins] R.V. clusters of raisins; as 1 Samuel 25:18; 1 Samuel 30:12; cp. 2 Samuel 16:1.