Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 12:18
Then the spirit came upon Amasai, [who was] chief of the captains, [and he said], Thine [are we], David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace [be] unto thee, and peace [be] to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
18. the spirit came upon A.] Lit. a spirit (i.e. from God) clothed itself with (i.e. entered into) Amasai. Cp. 2Ch 24:20; Jdg 6:34.
Amasai ] Probably to be identified with “Amasa” (2Sa 17:25; 2Sa 19:13).
chiefs of the captains ] So A.V. rightly, following the K’r. The “captains” are Amasai’s companions. R.V., following the C’thb, reads “chief of the thirty”; cp. 1Ch 11:15; 1Ch 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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Amasai – The marginal reference identifies him with Amasa, Davids nephew, but it seems unlikely that David would have misdoubted a band led by his own nephew.
The passionate earnestness of Amasais speech is strongly marked in the original, and will be better seen by omitting the words which our Version adds in italics. Here, as in 1Ch 12:8-15, we have manifestly the actual words of a very ancient record.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
1Ch 12:16; 1Ch 12:18
And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.
Recruits for King Jesus
I want to run a parallel between the case of David and that of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I. Here is a very commendable example. Many of these men of Judah and Benjamin went to join themselves to David.
1. Because they bad heard that he was the Lords anointed If Jesus be Gods anointed, let Him be your beloved.
2 Because of his personal excellences.
3. Because he was so misrepresented and abused by his enemies.
4. Because they believed that he had a great future before him.
II. A. cautious inquiry. See what David said to them.
1. He set before them the right way; He said, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you. Here are three questions–
(1) Do you come to Christ and accept Him?
(2) Do you come with a desire to maintain peace among your Christian brethren?
(3) Do you come with the intent of helping the Lord Jesus Christ to spread abroad His truth?
2. He set before them the wrong way: But if ye be come to betray me to my enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
Some betray the Lord Christ to His enemies–
1. By giving up the doctrines of the gospel.
2. By their inconsistent lives.
3. By apostasy.
III. A cordial enlistment. Thine are we, David, and on thy side, etc. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
David and his helpers
Man is not an independent being. He is dependent for his life, his thought, his feeling–dependent upon God his Creator and his Preserver. He is dependent for the comforts and conveniences of life–dependent upon his fellow-men. And he that seems perhaps to be the most independent amongst us, is after all the most dependent upon his fellows. Man was never made to be independent here. He was never made to be alone. Some such circumstances as these gave rise to the peculiar position of the son of Jesse, as we read of him in the text. David was then combating against a twofold enemy–Saul, the king, his predecessor in office, and the Philistines, the hereditary foes of Israel. Let us mark the concurrent circumstances of these times. Davids cause was not the winning side when these secessions broke off from the strength of Saul and attached themselves to the cause of the son of Jesse. He was as yet in point of numbers and of strength in a very small minority. He was not in power; and, so far as human appearances went, he was very far from power. Every appearance was against him. He himself, though the captain of a band, was a fugitive. And Saul was in power, for Saul was king. David is possessed of but scanty resources, but Saul can command the ways and the means and the supplies of a kingdom. And yet these men come, and they volunteer their services to the son of Jesse. They came not to the throne of one that rules, but they came to the cave of one that hides himself. No marvel that David should have suspected their proper aim, and should have inquired, inquisitively, as to the motive of their coming, as to the object of their visit in this the day of his distress and of his darkness. And this accounts for his inquiry in the verse preceding my text. We would learn from this text the value and the estimate to be set upon Christian co-operation. The downcast and the down-trodden may be rallied by a sympathising word, and may be aroused; and thus arise to his work and to his labour from the very consciousness that he is not altogether alone. Christian co-operation was given to Elijah. The assurance that God one day gave the Tishbite, that there were still seven thousand men who had not bowed the knee to Baal, mightily reassured the prophet. And when we come to inquire into the circumstances of this case a little further, respecting David, we are enabled to find out what was the kind of help, the quality of the help that he obtained. This may be judged of by considering the time in which the help was vouchsafed. As I have said, it was not in the time of his prosperity, but it was some time anterior to that, and in the time of his greatest adversity. Now, it is a law, or axiom, a practical law, that those men are most to be trusted in prosperity that have stood the firmest in the day of adversity. And verily, in practice, these men receive the reward of their fidelity. These men came and chose not the winning side; but there was a mark about even that declining interest–Thy God helpeth thee. That decided the question. If God be for David, what can Saul do against him? If God be for us, who can be against us? God is not forgetful of your work and labour of love which you have showed toward His name. Mark, for instance, His twelve–His chosen ones. They had attached themselves to the person of the lowly Jesus, when there was no mark of distinction, of royalty, of kingly power: at His call they obeyed. Never were there purer days in the Christian faith than when the Christian faith was persecuted. Thus was it with Davids auxiliaries: they looked not to the present adversity, but to the future glory. Thy God helpeth thee, was sufficient as an indication of what would be. These were powerful men. Their faces were like the faces of lions; bold as a lion; and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains. They were able to ford the depths of Jordan at its full, and in its overflowing, and to rout their enemies to the east and to the west. Truly, with such auxiliaries, David might well thank God, and take courage. But this was not all. His hopes begin to brighten, his prospects begin to look up. Day after day added its gradual increase to his army, until by and by it became a mighty host like unto the host of God. That is what the Scripture says. Each tribe sent its proportion. Thousands, tens of thousands, flocked to the standard of David, and enlisted in defence of the cause of the son of Jesse, until well-nigh half a million of men may be counted, from the enumeration of our context, as having resorted to his cause. This, from beginnings small, but good; this, from incipient stages scanty, yet hopeful. And all these men are well spoken of. They were mighty men of valour; they were ready armed; they were famous throughout the house of their fathers; they were no anonymous helpers, but it is said they were expressed by name to come and make David king. And the value of that help was great because it was a right hearty help–such a help as we need, such a help as is indispensable if we are to be helped at all. We want no halfhearted men, but we want men of God–they are the best, they are the surest, they are the safest, they are the most and the longest to be depended upon. Our experience of human helpers has been a chequered experience. Some that began with us have not continued; some from whom we expected much, perhaps, have broken down midway, departed from us, and went not with us to the work; some that promised nothing, and from whom we expected nothing, have been the most ready, and have been the foremost to come and say, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers. (R. Maguire, M. A.)
Fitness for the service of the great King
I. Intelligence is required.
II. Courage is required.
III. Unity is required.
IV. Enthusiasm is required. (J. Wolfendale.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 18. The spirit came upon Amasai] “The spirit of fortitude clothed Amasai, the chief of the mighty men; and he answered, For thy sake, O David, are we come, that we may be with thee, thou son of Jesse. Prosperity be to thee by night and by day; and prosperity be to thy helpers; for the Word of the Lord is thy assistant.” – T.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The Spirit came upon Amasai; not only saving graces, but other heroical and generous motions, are ascribed to Gods Spirit, which here stirred up in him a more than ordinary greatness and presentness of mind and resolution.
Thy God helpeth thee; we have observed Gods singular and gracious care of thee, and kindness to thee, and if we should oppose thee, we should be fighters against God and his word and providence.
Captains of the band, i. e. of those forces which they brought with them. Or, he put them among the heads or officers of his band, i.e. he gave them commands, either now in his small army, each according to his quality; or afterwards, when he was advanced to the kingdom; for it is not here expressed when he did this.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then the spirit came upon Amasai,…. Or “clothed” f him; a spirit of fortitude, as the Targum, of strength, courage, and presence of mind, with which he was endowed, covered, and clothed as with a garment; this was a sister’s son of David’s, see 2Sa 17:25
who was chief of the captains; of them that came at this time with him to David; he was afterwards Absalom’s general, and designed to be David’s, but was murdered by Joab:
and he said, thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse; which being spoken in this short and concise manner, as the supplement shows, denotes the vehemency with which he spake, and is expressive of their cordial fidelity to him, and their resolution to abide by him at all events:
peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; wishing all prosperity, temporal and spiritual, to him and all his confederates and auxiliaries, among whom they reckoned themselves:
for thy God helpeth thee; which they perceived by the remarkable deliverances of him out of the hand of Saul, when in imminent danger; the Targum is,
“for the Word of the Lord is for thy help:”
then David received them; into the hold, and admitted them as his friends:
and made them the captains of the band; they brought with them; or in later times, when he came to the throne.
f “induit”, Pagninus, Montanus, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Then came the Spirit upon Amasai, so that he proclaimed himself enthusiastic for David and his cause. With cf. Jdg 6:34. Usually or is found with this expression (2Ch 24:20), and here also the Spirit of God is meant; and is omitted only because all that was of importance here was to show that the resolution announced by Amasai was an effect of higher spiritual influence. , to thee, David (do we belong), thine are we. , “with thee,” sc. will we remain and fight. “Peace be to thee, and peace be to thy helpers; for thy God helpeth thee.” , He has helped thee in the fortunate combats in which you have heretofore been engaged (1Sa 18:12.), and He will help still further. David thereupon received them and made them captains of his band. , the warrior-band, which had gathered round David, and were still gathering round him, 1Sa 22:2; 1Sa 27:8, cf. also 1Ch 12:21; 1Sa 30:8, 1Sa 30:15, 1Sa 30:23, etc.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(18) Then the spirit came upon Amasai.Literally, and spirit clothed Amasai. The term for God (Elohim) has probably fallen out of the Heb. ext. (Comp. 2Ch. 24:20, and Jdg. 6:34.) We, in these days, may word it differently, and say, Under a sudden impulse of enthusiasm, Amasai exclaimed, &c. But if we look deeper, and seek a definite interpretation of our terms, we shall allow that the impulses of spirit are spiritual, and that enthusiasm for truth and right is indeed a sort of divine possession. The Syriac renders: The spirit of valour clothed Amasai. Comp. Isa. 11:2.) The spirit of Jehovah is the source of true courage, as of all other spiritual gifts.
Amasai.Perhaps the same as Amasa (1Ch. 2:17), son of Abigail, Davids sister, whom Joab murdered out of jealousy (2Sa. 17:25; 2Sa. 20:4-10).
Chief of the captains.The Heb. text reads, head of the Thirty, with which the LXX., Svr., and Vulg. agree. The Heb. margin (Qri) has knights, or chariot-soldiers (Authorised Version, captains), which is less probable. Amasais name is not given in the catalogue of the Thirty (1 Chronicles 11), and he is here called chief of the Thirty by anticipation.
Thine are we, David.The structure of Amasas inspired utterance is poetical
To thee, David!
And with thee, son of Ishai!
Peace, peace to thee.
And peace to thine helper;
For thy God hath holpen thee!
On thy side.Heb., with thee. (Comp. 1Ch. 11:10; and our Saviours He that is not with me is against me.)
Peace, peace be unto thee.David had said, If ye be come for peacethat is, with friendly intent. Amasai answers, We will be fast friends with thee, and with all who befriend thee, because God is on thy side. (Comp, the usual Oriental greeting, Salm alaikumPeace to you!) Davids past history gave ample evidence of Divine support.
Then David received them.A late Heb. word (qibbl). The chronicler resumes his narrative.
Made them captains of the band.Literally, and bestowed them among the heads of the bandmade them officers of his little army, which was continually growing by such adhesions, (Comp. 1Sa. 22:2, and 1Sa. 23:13.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. The spirit came upon Amasai Hebrews clothed Amasai, that is, enwrapped him as with armour. See note on Jdg 6:34.
Thine are we, David This speech of Amasai is full of emotion, and rises to poetic parallelism.
To thee, O David!
And with thee, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace unto thee,
And peace unto thy helpers;
For helpeth thee thy God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ch 12:18. Then the spirit came upon Amasai See Jdg 6:34.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
1Ch 12:18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, [who was] chief of the captains, [and he said], Thine [are we], David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace [be] unto thee, and peace [be] to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
Ver. 18. Then the spirit came upon Amasai. ] Heb., Clothed Amasai or Abishai, as some read it, together with whose words there went forth power, such as wrought in David’s heart a firm belief of their fidelity: he was not thenceforth jealous of them at all. Pray for such a spirit upon our rulers and teachers.
Peace, peace be unto thee,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9. came upon = clothed: i.e. clothed him with wisdom and power: i.e., employed him as His mouthpiece.
Amasai. Probably the same as Amasa, David’s nephew (1Ch 2:17).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the spirit: Jdg 6:34, Jdg 13:25, Isa 59:17
came upon Amasai: Heb. clothed Amasai, 1Ch 2:17, 2Sa 17:25, 2Sa 19:13, 2Sa 20:4-8, Amasa, Thine are we. 2Ki 10:5, and on they side, Rth 1:16, 2Sa 15:21, 2Ki 9:32, Mat 12:30
peace: Gal 6:16, Eph 6:23, Eph 6:24
thy God: 1Sa 25:28, 1Sa 25:29, 2Sa 5:2, Zec 8:23, Joh 6:67, Joh 6:68
captains of the band: 1Sa 8:12, 1Sa 22:7, 1Ki 9:22
Reciprocal: Gen 43:23 – Peace Jos 5:13 – Art thou for us Jdg 11:29 – the spirit Jdg 19:20 – Peace be 1Sa 16:4 – Comest 1Sa 25:6 – Peace be both 1Ki 2:13 – Comest 2Ki 10:15 – Is thine heart right 1Ch 12:38 – all the rest 2Ch 24:20 – came upon 2Ch 26:7 – God helped Psa 54:4 – General Psa 118:7 – taketh Psa 122:7 – Peace Isa 41:10 – for I am thy God Dan 4:1 – Peace 1Co 16:16 – helpeth 2Co 1:2 – General 2Co 8:5 – unto
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 12:18. The Spirit came upon Amasai Not only saving graces, but other heroical and generous motions are ascribed to Gods Spirit, which here stirred up in him a more than ordinary greatness of mind and resolution. Thy God helpeth thee We have seen evidences of Gods singular and gracious care of thee, and kindness to thee; and if we should oppose thee we should fight against God, and his word and providence. Then David made them captains of the band Of those forces which they brought with them: or, he put them among the heads, or officers of his band; that is, he gave them commands, either now in his small army, each according to his quality; or afterward, when he was advanced to the kingdom: for it is not here said when he did this.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12:18 Then the {e} spirit came upon Amasai, [who was] chief of the captains, [and he said], Thine [are we], David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace [be] unto thee, and peace [be] to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
(e) The spirit of boldness and courage moved him to speak thus.