From Levi: 4,600, From the LevitesThe Levites were a distinct tribe in Israel, set apart for religious duties and service to the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. Their role was crucial in maintaining the spiritual life of the nation. The Hebrew root for Levites, "לֵוִי" (Levi), signifies "joined" or "attached," reflecting their special relationship with God and their dedication to His service. Historically, the Levites were not allotted a specific territory like the other tribes but were given cities throughout Israel, emphasizing their role as spiritual leaders and teachers among the people. 4,600
This number signifies the strength and commitment of the Levites who joined David at Hebron to support his kingship. Numerically, it represents a substantial force, indicating the Levites' significant influence and their willingness to align with David, whom they recognized as God's anointed king. In the broader scriptural context, numbers often carry symbolic meaning, and the presence of 4,600 Levites underscores the unity and readiness of the religious community to support God's chosen leader. This reflects a pivotal moment in Israel's history, where spiritual and political realms converge to establish a united kingdom under David's rule. Persons / Places / Events 1. LeviLevi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Leah, and the ancestor of the Levites. The Levites were set apart for religious duties and service in the tabernacle and later the temple. 2. LevitesThe Levites were a tribe in Israel specifically chosen for religious service. They did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were given cities to live in throughout Israel. 3. David's ReignThis passage is set during the time when David was consolidating his rule over Israel. The Levites, among others, came to support David as king. 4. HebronThe city where David was anointed king over all Israel. It was a significant location for the unification of the tribes under David's leadership. 5. Military SupportThe context of this verse is the gathering of warriors from various tribes to support David. The Levites, though primarily religious servants, also provided military support. Teaching Points The Role of the LevitesThe Levites were set apart for service to God, demonstrating the importance of dedicating our lives to His purposes. Unity in PurposeThe gathering of the tribes, including the Levites, to support David highlights the power of unity in achieving God’s plans. Support for God’s AnointedJust as the Levites supported David, we are called to support and pray for our leaders, especially those anointed by God for specific purposes. Service Beyond ExpectationsThe Levites, known for religious duties, also provided military support, showing that God may call us to serve in unexpected ways. Faithfulness in ServiceThe Levites’ commitment to David reflects our need to be faithful in our service to God and His appointed leaders. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from the Levites' willingness to support David, and how can we apply this to supporting our leaders today? 2. How does the role of the Levites in this passage reflect the broader biblical theme of service and dedication to God? 3. In what ways can we demonstrate unity in our church or community, similar to the tribes coming together to support David? 4. How might God be calling you to serve in unexpected ways, as the Levites did in providing military support? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to step out of your expected role to fulfill a need. How did this experience shape your understanding of service? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 3This chapter details the duties and responsibilities of the Levites, emphasizing their role in religious service and their dedication to God’s work. 2 Samuel 5This passage describes David's anointing as king over Israel, providing context for the gathering of support from various tribes, including the Levites. Psalm 133This psalm speaks of the unity among God’s people, which is exemplified by the tribes coming together to support David. People Aaron, Aaronites, Adnah, Ahiezer, Amasai, Asher, Attai, Azareel, Azmaveth, Bealiah, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Berachah, Danites, David, Eliab, Eliel, Elihu, Elkanah, Eluzai, Elzabad, Ezer, Gad, Gadites, Gedor, Gibeon, Ishmaiah, Ismaiah, Israelites, Issachar, Isshiah, Jahaziel, Jashobeam, Jediael, Jehoiada, Jehu, Jeremiah, Jerimoth, Jeroham, Jesiah, Jesse, Jeziel, Joash, Joelah, Joezer, Johanan, Josabad, Jozabad, Kish, Korahites, Korhites, Levi, Levites, Machbanai, Manasseh, Michael, Mishmannah, Naphtali, Obadiah, Pelet, Reuben, Reubenites, Saul, Shemaah, Shemariah, Shephatiah, Simeon, Simeonites, Zadok, Zebadiah, Zebulun, ZilthaiPlaces Anathoth, Gederah, Gedor, Gibeah, Gibeon, Hebron, Jordan River, ZiklagTopics 4, 600, Levi, Levites, Six, Sons, ThousandDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Chronicles 12:23-28 7266 tribes of Israel 1 Chronicles 12:23-37 8329 readiness 1 Chronicles 12:23-38 5544 soldiers 1 Chronicles 12:24-37 5208 armies Library Drill and Enthusiasm
'[Men that] could keep rank, they were not of double heart.'--1 CHRON. xii. 33. These words come from the muster-roll of the hastily raised army that brought David up to Hebron and made him King. The catalogue abounds in brief characterisations of the qualities of each tribe's contingent. For example, Issachar had 'understanding of the times.' Our text is spoken of the warriors of Zebulon, who had left their hills and their flocks in the far north, and poured down from their seats by the blue waters …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Channel of Power.
A Word that Sticks and Stings. I suppose everyone here can think of three or four persons whom he loves or regards highly, who are not christians. Can you? Perhaps in your own home circle, or in the circle of your close friends. They may be nice people, cultured, lovable, delightful companions, fond of music and good books, and all that; but this is true of them, that they do not trust and confess Jesus as a personal Savior. Can you think of such persons in your own circle? I am going to wait a …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power God's Answers
GOD'S ANSWERS: A RECORD OF MISS ANNIE MACPHERSON'S WORK AT THE HOME OF INDUSTRY, SPITALFIELDS, LONDON, AND IN CANADA. CLARA M. S. LOWE "Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee." --1 CHRON. xii. 18. …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers Beneath his Banner
"Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse."--1 Chron. xii. 18. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 'Twixt God and thee but love shall be; 'Twixt earth and thee distrust and fear, 'Twixt sin and thee shall be hate and war; And hope shall be 'twixt Heaven and thee Till night is o'er. …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) Epistle xxxix. To Anastasius, Bishop .
To Anastasius, Bishop [1602] . Gregory to Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14), because that great river which once had left the rocks of Antioch dry has returned at length to its proper channel, and waters the subject valleys that are near, so as also to bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some an hundred-fold. For now there is no doubt that many flowers of souls are growing up in its valleys, and that …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death, …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Watching the Horizon
"Thy Kingdom Come." "Thou art coming! We are waiting With a hope that cannot fail; Asking not the day or hour, Resting on Thy word of power, Anchored safe within the veil. Time appointed may be long, But the vision must be sure: Certainty shall make us strong, Joyful patience must endure. "O the joy to see Thee reigning, Thee, my own beloved Lord! Every tongue Thy name confessing, Worship, honour, glory, blessing, Brought to Thee with glad accord! Thee, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned! …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation 'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid'
'And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 6. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. 7. And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. 8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Chronicles 12:26 NIV1 Chronicles 12:26 NLT1 Chronicles 12:26 ESV1 Chronicles 12:26 NASB1 Chronicles 12:26 KJV
1 Chronicles 12:26 Commentaries
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