12:1Ziklag was a city in Philistia to which David had escaped to hide from Saul. Achish, the Philistine ruler of the area, was happy to have a famous Israelite warrior defect to his land. He did not know, however, that David was only pretending loyalty. Achish gave the city of Ziklag to David, his family, and his army (1 Samuel 27:5-7). David’s whereabouts were not a great secret, and many loyal followers joined him there.
Life Application Study Bible1 ChroniclesChapter 12
1 Chronicles 12
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 639, 640, 641
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121 Chronicles 12
Warriors Join David’s Army
112 The following men joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who fought beside David in battle. 2All of them were expert archers, and they could shoot arrows or sling stones with their left hand as well as their right. They were all relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin. 3Their leader was Ahiezer son of Shemaah from Gibeah; his brother Joash was second-in-command. These were the other warriors: Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu from Anathoth; 4Ishmaiah from Gibeon, a famous warrior and leader among the Thirty; *Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah; 5Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah from Haruph, 6Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites; 7Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham from Gedor. 8Some brave and experienced warriors from the tribe of Gad also defected to David while he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and as swift as deer on the mountains.
9Ezer was their leader.Obadiah was second.Eliab was third.
10Mishmannah was fourth.Jeremiah was fifth.
11Attai was sixth.Eliel was seventh.
12Johanan was eighth. Elzabad was ninth. 13Jeremiah was tenth. Macbannai was eleventh. 14These warriors from Gad were army commanders. The weakest among them could take ona hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take ona thousand! ‘SThese were the men who crossed the Jordan River during its seasonal flooding at the beginning of the year and drove out all the people living in the lowlands on both the east and west banks. 16Others from Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold. 17David went out to meet them and said, “If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see it and punish you.”
18Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the leader of the Thirty, and he said,“We are yours, David!Weare on your side, son of Jesse.Peace and prosperity be with you,and success to all who help you,for your God is the one who helps you.”So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops.
19Some men from Manasseh defected from the Israelite army and joined Davidwhenhe 12:19 set out with the Philistines to fight against Saul. But as it turned out, the Philistine Tulers 1 $27 2929 refused to let David and his men go with them. After much discussion, they sent them back, for they said, “It will cost us our heads if David switches loyalties to Saul and turns against us.” 20Here is a list of the men from Manasseh who defected to David as he was returning to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each commanded 1,000 troops from the tribe of Manasseh. 21They helped David chase down bands of raid- 12:21 ers, for they were all brave and able warriors who became commanders in his army. 2Day 1 Sam 30:1 after day more men joined David until he had a great army, like the army of God. re a-15 23These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all 12:23 eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as the LORD had promised. F Bam ot ato 24From the tribe of Judah, there were 6,800 warriors armed with shields and spears. 25From the tribe of Simeon, there were 7,100 brave warriors. 26From the tribe of Levi, there were 4,600 warriors. 27This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had 3,700 under his command. 28This also included Zadok, —_12:28 a brave young warrior, with 22 members of his family who were all officers. 1 Chr 6:8 29From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s relatives, there were 3,000 warriors. Most of the 12:29 men from Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul until this time. 2 Sam 2:8-9 30From the tribe of Ephraim, there were 20,800 brave warriors, each highly respected in his own clan. 31From the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, 18,000 men were designated by name to help David become king. re 32From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. 33From the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David. 34From the tribe of Naphtali, there were 1,000 officers and 37,000 warriors armed with shields and spears. 35From the tribe of Dan, there were 28,600 warriors, all prepared for battle. 36From the tribe of Asher, there were 40,000 trained warriors, all prepared for battle. 37From the east side of the Jordan River—where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived—there were 120,000 troops armed with every kind of weapon. 38All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king over all Israel. In fact, everyone in Israel agreed that David should be their king. 39They feasted and drank with David for three days, for preparations had been made by their relatives for their arrival. 40And people from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, clusters of raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, sheep, and goats were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel. 2. David brings the Ark to Jerusalem
Textual footnotes
- 12:4 Verses 12:4b-40 are numbered 12:5-41 in Hebrew text.
Life Application Notes 9 notes
12:1ffDavid surrounded himself with great warriors, the best of the Israelite army. What qualities made them worthy to be David’s warriors and servants? (1) They had practiced long and hard to perfect their skills (with bow, sling, and spear); (2) they were mentally tough and determined (‘fierce as lions,” 12:8); (3) they were physically in shape (“as swift as deer,” 12:8); (4) they were dedicated to serving God and David. Weak leaders are easily threatened by competent subordinates, but strong leaders surround themselves with the best. They are not intimidated by able and competent followers.
12:1-3and 2 Samuel 7:12, 13.
12:1-7All the warriors mentioned here were from the tribe of Benjamin. Even members of Saul’s own tribe (1 Samuel 9:1, 2) were deserting him to help David become king over all Israel. It was clear to them that God had chosen David to be Israel's next leader.
12:2Archers and slingers had special weapons. The sling was unassuming in appearance but deadly in battle. A shallow leather pouch with a cord of leather or goats’ hair attached to each side, the sling was whirled around the head. When one side was released, it sent a stone to its target. The bow and arrow had beer in use for thousands of years. Arrowheads were made of stone, wood, or bone because the Philistines still had a monopoly on metalworking (1 Samuel 13:19, 20). Arrow shafts were made of reed or wood, and bowstrings were made of animal gut.
12:8While the men of Benjamin were expert archers and slingers, the warriors of Gad were experts with the shield and spear. Israelite spears had wood shafts with spearheads of bone or stone and were often thrown through the air toward their mark. Philistine spears had bronze shafts and iron spearheads, and their shields were made of wood and overlaid with leather. Large shields were often carried by an armor bearer, whose main task was to protect the warrior.
12:18How did the Holy Spirit work in Old Testament times? When there was an important job to be done, God chose a person to do it, and the Spirit gave that person the needed power and ability. The Spirit gave Bezalel artistic ability (Exodus 31:1-5), Jephthah military prowess (Judges 11:29), David power to rule (1 Samuel 16:13), and Zechariah an authoritative word of prophecy (2 Chronicles 24:20). Here the Holy Spirit came upon Amasai, one of David's warriors. The Spirit came upon individuals in order to accomplish specific goals. Beginning at Pentecost, however, the Spirit came upon all believers, not only to empower them to do God's will, but also to dwell in them day by day (Acts 2:14-21). If you are a believer in Jesus
12:32The 200 leaders from the tribe of Issachar “understood the signs of the times.” As a result, their knowledge and judgment provided needed help in making decisions for the nation. For leaders today, it is equally necessary to know what is happening in society in order to plan the best course of action for the church. Knowledge of current events, trends, and needs helps us understand people's thoughts and attitudes. This gives leaders information to help them make wise decisions for the church and make God’s message relevant to people’s lives.
12:40The people were ready for change. They had suffered under Saul’s leadership because of his disobedience to God (see 10:13). They were so overjoyed with David’s coronation that they contributed lavishly to the celebration. It is right and proper to give generously for celebration and joyous worship. God is the author of joy, and he will join us in our celebrations.
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Christ, you will experience the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in your life as well as special times of filling for God’s purposes. Expect God’s Spirit to work in and through you. 42:22 David “had a great army, like the army of God.” Men were drawn to David by the reputation of his great warriors, the news of their victories, and their desire to see God’s will done in making David king. People are often drawn to a great cause and the brave, determined people who support it. As believers, we have the greatest cause—the salvation of people. if we are brave, determined, and faithful, others will be drawn to work with us. 12:26-29 In Numbers 1:47-50, God said that the Levites were to be exempt from military service. Why then are they listed as part of David’s army? Although they were exempt from the draft, they strongly supported David and volunteered their services to help install him as king.