Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 12:23
And these [are] the numbers of the bands [that were] ready armed to the war, [and] came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
23 40 (cp. 2Sa 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”).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Rather, These are the numbers of the men, ready equipped for the host, that came to David, etc.
In the list which follows such points as
(1) The large mumber sent by the trans-Jordanic tribes;
(2) The large numbers from Zebulon, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan, all tribes somewhat remote, and generally speaking undistinguished;
(3) The small size of the contingent from Judah, which is generally represented as numerically superior to every other tribe, and which might have been expected to be especially zealous on behalf of its own prince and tribesman; throw some doubt upon the numbers, which may be suspected of having in some instances undergone corruption.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. And came to David to Hebron] That is, after the death of Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son. See 2Sa 4:5.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Whereby he had settled the crown upon David after Sauls death.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. these are the numbers of thebands . . . that came to David to Hebronafter the death ofIsh-bosheth (see on 2Sa 5:1).
to turn the kingdom of Saulto him, according to the word of the Lord (1Ch 10:14;1Ch 11:3; 1Ch 11:10).The account commences with the southern tribes, Levi being associatedwith Judah and Simeon, as the great majority of the leading men inthis tribe resided in Judah; and, after recounting therepresentatives of the northern tribes, it concludes with those onthe east of Jordan.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Ver. 23-37. And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war,…. That were trained up to it, and accounted for it:
and came to David to Hebron; after the death of Ishbosheth and Abner, and when David had reigned seven years in Hebron:
to turn the kingdom of Saul to him; to transfer it to him and his family:
according to the word of the Lord; by Samuel, which they were acquainted with; and the number of those of the children of Judah, who made him their king already, and so there was the less need of a numerous appearance of them, were 6800 armed men, 1Ch 12:24, of the tribe of Simeon, valiant men, 7100, 1Ch 12:25, of the children of Levi 4600, 1Ch 12:26, of the Aaronites or priests, with Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, according to Jarchi and Kimchi, at the head of them, 3700, 1Ch 12:27, besides Zadok, a young man of the line of Eleazar, who was made high priest in the time of Solomon, who brought with him twenty two captains, 1Ch 12:28 the heads of the courses of the priests, which were afterwards twenty four, 1Ch 24:4 of the tribe of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, the greatest part of whom had been sticklers for the continuance of the kingdom in the family of Saul, 3000, 1Ch 12:29, of the tribe of Ephraim, valiant men, 20,800, 1Ch 12:30, of the half tribe of Manasseh on this side Jordan, whose names were pricked down, being given, to make David king, 18,000, 1Ch 12:31, and of the tribe of Issachar, two hundred of the heads of them; men of knowledge and understanding, either in chronology or astrology, or in the proper seasons for husbandry, or for the fixing the beginning of years and months, and the intercalation of them, for keeping the several festivals; or rather were men of prudence and wisdom, and knew that this was the proper time for making David king, Ishbosheth and Abner his general being dead; and as they were men in high esteem for their parts and abilities, their brethren were at their beck and command, 1Ch 12:30, and of the tribe of Zebulun, warlike men, skilful in war, and well armed, 50,000 men; and their numerous appearance showed that they were hearty and sincere, being the greatest number of all the tribes, 1Ch 12:33, and of the tribe of Naphtali, 1000 captains, and with them armed men, 37,000, 1Ch 12:34 and of the tribe of Dan, men skilled in war, 28,600, 1Ch 12:35 and of the tribe of Asher, warlike men, 40,000, 1Ch 12:36 and of the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, on the other side Jordan, military men, well armed, 120,000, 1Ch 12:37, which in all made 348,800 men, and upwards.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
List of the warriors who made David king in Hebron. – The superscription (1Ch 12:23) runs: “These are the numbers of the bands of the men equipped for war, who came,” etc. is a collective noun, denoting the equipped manhood. signifies here, not principes exercitus , as the Vulgate renders it, heads, i.e., leaders of the army (Berth.), but literally denotes sums, i.e., companies, bands of soldiers, as in Jdg 7:16, Jdg 7:20; Jdg 9:34, Jdg 9:37, Jdg 9:44; 1Sa 11:1; or it may perhaps also be heads for individuals, as in Jdg 5:30. Both these meanings are linguistically certain; so that we cannot say, with Bertheau, that before denotes, according to the well-ascertained use of language, leaders of the army, and that would have been used had it been wished to express the number by heads, e.g., 1 Chron 23:3-24. That use of the word is indeed also found, but it cannot be proved to be the only proper one. If we take here to denote leaders, we bring the superscription into irreconcilable contradiction with the contents of the following catalogue, which gives the names of the heads and the number of the warriors (1Ch 12:27.) only in the case of the families of Aaron, and in that of Issachar the number of the princes; while in the case of the other tribes we have only the numbers of the bands or detachments. This contradiction cannot be got rid of, as Bertheau imagines, by the hypothesis that the superscription referred originally to a catalogue which was throughout similar in plan to that which we find in 1Ch 12:26-28, and that the author of the Chronicle has very considerably abridged the more detailed statements of the original documents which he used. This hypothesis is a mere makeshift, in which we have the less need “to take refuge,” as the catalogue has neither the appearance of having been abridged or revised by the author of our Chronicle. It is shown to be a faithful copy of a more ancient authority, both by the characteristic remarks which it contains on the individual tribes, and by the inequality in the numbers. Bertheau, indeed, derives support for his hypothesis “from the inequality of the statements of number, and their relation to each other,” and upon that ground throws doubt upon the accuracy and correctness of the numbers, but in both cases without sufficient warrant. If we place the respective statements together synoptically, we see that there came to David to Hebron –
Of the tribe of: Judah 6,800 men Of the tribe of: Simeon 7,100 men Of the tribe of: Levi 4,600 men With Jehoiada the prince of Aaron 3,700 men With Zadok and his father ‘ s-house 22 (captains) Of the tribe of: Benjamin 3,000 men Of the tribe of: Ephraim 20,800 men Of the half-tribe of: Manasseh 18,000 men Of the tribe of: Issachar 200 chiefs and all their brethren Of the tribe of: Zebulun 50,000 men Of the tribe of: Naphtali 37,000 men with 1000 Of the tribe of: Dan 28,000 men Of the tribe of: Asher 40,000 men Of two and a half trans-Jordanic tribes 120,000 men Total 336,600 men with 1222 heads and captains
The total is not objected to by Bertheau, and its correctness is placed beyond a doubt by the recollection that we have here to do not with the representation of the various estates of the kingdom, but with a declaration of the will of the whole nation, who wished to make David their king. We must, if we are to estimate these statements, endeavour to go back in imagination to the circumstances of that time when Israel, although settled in the land, had not quite laid aside the character of a nation of warriors, in which every man capable of bearing arms marched to battle with, and for, his king. Now if the total number of fighting men in Israel was 600,000 in the time of Moses, and if, when the people were numbered in the last year of David’s reign, there were in Israel 800,000, and in Judah 500,000 ( 2Sa 24:9), – the Levites being excluded in both cases – the 340,000 men of all the tribes, except Issachar, in reference to which no number is given, or after subtracting Judah and Levi, the 324,500 men out of the remaining tribes, is not much more than a half of the men capable of bearing arms in Moses’ time, and about a fourth part of the fighting population towards the end of David’s reign. But the relation of the numbers in the respective tribes, on the contrary, is somewhat surprising, and calls forth from Bertheau the following remarks: “To Judah, David’s tribe, which from the earliest time had been famous for its numbers and its powers, 6800 are assigned; to Zebulun, on the contrary, 50,000; to Naphtali, 1000 princes at the head of 37,000 warriors; to the two and a half East-Jordanic tribes, 120,000 men, etc. How does it happen that Zebulun and Naphtali, for example, two tribes that play no great part in Israel’s history, are so strongly represented, while Judah sends only a relatively small number of warriors?” To this question we answer, that Judah’s being represented by a number of warriors relatively so small, is accounted for simply by the fact that David had already been king over Judah for seven years, and consequently that tribe did not need to make him king by coming with the whole of its warriors, or the majority of them, when the other tribes were doing homage to David, but sent only a small number of its male population to this solemn act, who were witnesses in the name of the whole tribe to the homage proffered by the others. The same remark applies to the tribe of Simeon, whose domain was enclosed by that of Judah, and which had consequently recognised David as king at the same time as the larger tribe. In regard to the numbers of the other tribes, Levi had in the last year of David’s reign 38,000 men from thirty years old and upwards (1Ch 23:3); and when here only 4600 Levites, besides the priestly families, are spoken of, the question arises, whether this number is to be understood to refer to the Levites in all the tribes, or only to those dwelling outside of Judah and Simeon, in the cities assigned to them by Moses and Joshua. The smallness of the number (3000) from the tribe of Benjamin is explained by the remark that the majority of this tribe still held to the house of Saul (1Ch 12:29). The only thing which is at all remarkable about the other numbers is, that the Ephraimites are so few (20,800 men) in contrast to the 180,000 men brought into the field by the half-tribe of Manasseh. But if we consider that Ephraim, which at the first census under Moses at Sinai had 40,500 men, had decreased to 32,500 at the second census in the wilderness of Moab, it is not improbable that at the time now treated of that tribe may not have been very strong in fighting men. For in Saul’s last war with the Philistines, when they had pressed forward so far as Mount Gilboa, and also in Abner’s struggle on behalf of King Ishbosheth for the re-conquest of the territory occupied by them, it probably suffered more, and was more weakened, than any of the other tribes. Perhaps also we may add that Ephraim, owing to its jealousy of Judah, which dates from the time of the judges, was not very much disposed to make David king over all Israel. That Zebulun and Naphtali are here so numerously represented, although they do not otherwise play an important part, is no reason for suspecting that the numbers given are incorrect. Since Zebulun under Moses numbered 57,400 men, and at a later time 60,500, and Naphtali 53,400 and 45,400 men capable of bearing arms respectively on the same occasions (see t. i. 2, S. 192); the first named tribe may easily have sent 50,000, the other 37,000 men to David, as the tribes dwelling in the north had been least affected by the wars which Israel carried on in the second half of the period of the judges and under Saul. Both of these tribes, too, are praised in the song of Deborah as a people ready to risk their lives for their fatherland (Jdg 5:18), and may have very much increased in the succeeding time. And besides all this, the tribes Asher, Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh are indeed more feebly represented than Zebulun, but more strongly than Naphtali. There therefore remains no reason for doubting the historical accuracy of the numbers given; but it is of course to be understood that the numbers, which are stated only in hundreds, are not the result of an enumeration of the individual persons, but only of an estimate of the various detachments according to the military partition of the tribes.
In regard to , cf. 1Ch 10:14; and as to , see the remark on , 1Ch 11:3, 1Ch 11:10.
1Ch 12:24-25 For , cf. 1Ch 12:8, 1Ch 5:18. , valiant men for the war service.
1Ch 12:26-27 Jehoiada is thought by Rashi, Kimchi, and others, to be the father of Benaiah, 1Ch 11:22. He was for Aaron, i.e., prince of the house of Aaron, head of the family of the Aaronites, not princeps sacerdotum , which was a title appertaining to the high-priesthood, an office held at that time by Abiathar (1Sa 23:9).
1Ch 12:28 Zadok, a youth, i.e., then still a youth, may be the same who was made high priest in place of Abiathar (1Ki 2:26, but see on 1Ki 6:8). “And his father’s-house, twenty-two princes.” The father’s-house of Zadok is the Aaronite family descended from Eleazar, which was at that time so numerous that it could muster twenty-two , family chiefs, who went with Zadok to Hebron.
1Ch 12:29 From the tribe of Benjamin, to which Saul belonged ( , see on 1Ch 12:2), only 3000 men came, for until that time ( , cf. 1Ch 9:18) the greater number of them were keeping the guard of the house of Saul, i.e., were devoted to the interests of the fallen house. For , see on Gen 26:5 and Lev 8:35. From this we learn that the attachment of the Benjamites to Saul continued even after the death of his son Ishbosheth, and that it was with difficulty that they could bring themselves to recognise David as king.
1Ch 12:30 Of Ephraim 20,800 famous men ( , see on Gen 6:4); , “in their fathers’-houses.”
1Ch 12:31 Of half Manasseh, this side Jordan (cf. 1Ch 12:37), 18,000, who were appointed by name, i.e., chosen as famous men to go thither and make David king. , as in Num 1:17, vide on Lev 24:16. The tribe of Manasseh had consequently held a general consultation on the matter, and determined upon sending their representatives.
1Ch 12:32 From Issachar came “men of understanding in reference to the times, to know (i.e., who knew) what Israel should do.” , knowing in insight (cf. 2Ch 2:12), i.e., experienced in a thing, having understanding of it. From this remark some of the older commentators (Chald., various Rabbins, and Cleric.) concluded that the tribe of Issachar had distinguished itself beyond the other tribes by astronomical and physical knowledge, by which it was qualified to ascertain and make choice of proper times for political action. But the words do not suggest astronomical or astrological knowledge, but merely state, as Salomo ben-Melech in the Miclol Yophi long ago interpreted them, noverant tempora ad omnem rem et quodque negotium, sicut sapiens dixit: Suum cuique tempus est et opportunitas cuique rei , Koh. iii. 1. The words refer not to the whole tribe, but only to the two hundred heads, who, as Lavater expresses it, are designated prudentes viri , as being men qui quid, quando et quomodo agendum esset, varia lectione et usu rerum cognoscebant . The only thing to be objected to in his statement is the varia lectione, since a sound and correct judgment in political matters does not necessarily presuppose scientific training and a wide acquaintance with books. The statement in question, therefore, affirms nothing more than that the tribe of Issachar (in deciding to raise David to the throne) followed the judgment of its princes, who rightly estimated the circumstances of the time. For all their brethren, i.e., all the men of this tribe, went with the two hundred chiefs. , according to their mouth, i.e., followed their judgment; cf. Num 4:27; Deu 21:5.
1Ch 12:33-38 , preparing war with all manner of warlike weapons, i.e., practice in the use of all kinds of weapons for war; cf. 1Ch 12:8. The infinitive is substantially a continuation of the preceding participles, but grammatically is dependent on understood (cf. 1Ch 12:23, 1Ch 12:38). Cf. as to this free use of the infinitive with , Ew. 351, c. The signification of the verb , which occurs only here (1Ch 12:33, 1Ch 12:38), is doubtful. According to the lxx and the Vulg. ( , venerunt in auxilium ), and nine MSS, which read , we would be inclined to take for the Aramaic form of the Hebrew (cf. Arabic dr ), to help; but that meaning does not suit , 1Ch 12:38. Its connection there demands that should signify “to close up together,” to set in order the battle array; and so here, closing up together with not double heart, i.e., with whole or stedfast heart ( , 1Ch 12:38), animo integro et firmo atque concordi; cf. Psa 12:3 (Mich.). – In 1Ch 12:38 we have a comprehensive statement; , which refers to all the bodies of men enumerated in 1Ch 12:24-37. is defectively written; and as it occurs only here, it may be perhaps a mere orthographical error. The whole of the remainder of Israel who did not go to Hebron were er , of one, i.e., of united heart (2Ch 30:12): they had a unanimous wish to make David king.
1Ch 12:39 Those gathered together were there three days eating and drinking, holding festive meals (cf. 1Sa 30:16; 1Ki 1:45, etc.), for their brethren had prepared them for them. The object of , sc. the eating and drinking, may easily be supplied from the context. are the inhabitants of Hebron and the neighbourhood; the tribe of Judah in general, who had already recognised David as king.
1Ch 12:40 But it was not only these who performed this service, but also those of the remaining tribes dwelling near them; and indeed the men of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, those on the northern frontier of Canaan as well as those who bordered upon Judah, had sent provisions upon beasts of burden, “for joy was in Israel.” This joy moved those who remained at home to show their sympathy with the national festival solemnized at Hebron by sending the provisions. For , masses of dried figs, and , masses of raisins or cakes, see on 1Sa 25:18.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| David’s Army. | B. C. 1048. |
23 And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD. 24 The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war. 25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. 26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred. 27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred; 28 And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father’s house twenty and two captains. 29 And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul. 30 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers. 31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king. 32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. 33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart. 34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand. 35 And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred. 36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand. 37 And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand. 38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. 39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them. 40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.
We have here an account of those who were active in perfecting the settlement of David upon the throne, after the death of Ishbosheth. We read (ch. xi. 1, and before 2 Sam. v. 1) that all the tribes of Israel came, either themselves or by their representatives, to Hebron, to make David king; now here we have an account of the quota which every tribe brought in ready armed to the war, in case there should be any opposition, v. 23. We may observe here,
I. That those tribes that lived nearest brought the fewest-Judah but 6800 (v. 24), Simeon but 7100 (v. 25); whereas Zebulun, that lay remote, brought 50,000, Asher 40,000, and the two tribes and a half on the other side Jordan 120,000. Not as if the next adjacent tribes were cold in the cause; but they showed as much of their prudence in bringing few, since all the rest lay so near within call, as the others did of their zeal in bringing so many. The men of Judah had enough to do to entertain those that came from afar.
II. The Levites themselves, and the priests (called here the Aaronites), appeared very hearty in this cause, and were ready, if there were occasion, to fight for David, as well as pray for him, because they knew he was called of God to the government, v. 26-28.
III. Even some of the kindred of Saul came over to David (v. 29), not so many as of the other tribes, because a foolish affection for their own tribe, and a jealousy for the honour of it, kept many of them long in the sinking interest of Saul’s family. Kindred should never over-rule conscience. Call no man Father to this extent, but God only.
IV. It is said of most of these that they were mighty men of valour (1Ch 12:25; 1Ch 12:28; 1Ch 12:30), of others that they were expert in war (1Ch 12:35; 1Ch 12:36), and of them all that they could keep rank, v. 38. They had a great deal of martial fire, and yet were governable and subject to the rules of order–warm hearts but cool heads.
V. Some were so considerate as to bring with them arms, and all instruments for war (1Ch 12:24; 1Ch 12:33; 1Ch 12:37), for how could they think that David should be able to furnish them?
VI. The men of Issachar were the fewest of all, only 200, and yet as serviceable to David’s interest as those that brought in the greatest numbers, these few being in effect the whole tribe. For, 1. They were men of great skill above any of their neighbours, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. They understood the natural times, could discern the face of the sky, were weather-wise, could advise their neighbours in the proper times for ploughing, sowing reaping, c. Or the ceremonial times, the times appointed for the solemn feasts therefore they are said to call the people to the mountain (Deut. xxxiii. 19), for almanacs were not then so common as now. Or, rather, the political times; they understood public affairs, the temper of the nation, and the tendencies of the present events. It is the periphrasis of statesmen that they know the times, Esth. i. 13. Those of that tribe were greatly intent on public affairs, had good intelligence from abroad and made a good use of it. They knew what Israel ought to do: from their observation and experience they learned both their own and others’ duty and interest. In this critical juncture they knew Israel ought to make David king. It was not only expedient, but necessary; the present posture of affairs called for it. The men of Issachar dealt mostly in country business, and did not much intermeddle in public affairs, which gave them an opportunity of observing others and conversing with themselves. A stander-by sees sometimes more than a gamester. 2. They were men of great interests; for all their brethren were at their commandment. The commonality of that tribe having bowed their shoulder to bear (Gen. xlix. 15), the great men had them at their beck. Hence we read of the princes of Issachar, Judg. v. 15. They knew how to rule, and the rest knew how to obey. It is happy indeed when those that should lead are intelligent and judicious, and those who are to follow are modest and obsequious.
VII. It is said of them all that they engaged in this enterprise with a perfect heart (v. 38), and particularly of the men of Zebulun that they were not of double heart, v. 33. They were, in this matter, Israelites indeed, in whom was no guile. And this was their perfection, that they were of one heart, v. 38. None had any separate interests, but all for the public good.
VIII. The men of Judah, and others of the adjacent tribes, prepared for the victualling of their respective camps when they came to Hebron, 1Ch 12:39; 1Ch 12:40. Those that were at the least pains in travelling to this convention, or congress of states, thought themselves obliged to be at so much the more charge in entertaining the rest, that there might be something of an equality. A noble feast was made (was made for laughter, Eccl. x. 19) upon this occasion, for there was joy in Israel, v. 40. And good reason; for when the righteous bear rule the city rejoices. Thus, when the throne of Christ is set up in a soul, there is, or ought to be, great joy in that soul: and provision is made for the feasting of it, not as here for two or three days, but for the whole life, nay, for eternity.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Rallying to David, 1Ch 12:23-40
When Israel finally turned to David to make him king, the men of war came to him by the thousands, to be in on the coronation and its festivities and to offer themselves to David’s service. All the tribes were represented, including the Levites, making thirteen tribal divisions in all. The small number ascribed to Judah may be accounted for by the fact most of the men of Judah had turned to David long before. The Simeonites also were of Judah, having their allotment in cities of his possession. The Aaronites are descendants of Aaron, Israel’s first high priest. Zadok of the Levites is especially mentioned as a “young man mighty of valour.” Later he became high priest of Israel (2Sa 8:17).
The Benjamites who had adhered to Saul’s family now came in considerable numbers to join David also. The Joseph tribes, Ephraim and the half of Manasseh on the west side of Jordan, were represented by more than 38,000 warriors. An interesting commendation is made of the men of Issachar. They recognized the needs of Israel and acted thereon in one accord. The Zebulunites came well armed, numbering 50,000, sincere and not double-hearted. The Naphtalites numbered 37,000 under a thousand captains, while the Asherites had 40,000 and the Danites 28,600. Those from east of Jordan; Reuben, Gad, and the other half of Manasseh, mustered 120,000.
It is said all these came with perfect heart to Hebron to anoint David king of all Israel, and that the. people they represented were also of perfect heart. This means they were in wholehearted harmony in making him their new king. For three days they observed celebration, feasting on bread, meat, figs, raisins, wine, meal, oil, slaughtered oxen and sheep in great abundance. These were transported from nearby and from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali by donkey, camel, mule, and ox. It was a great time, and the Scripture relates, “for there was joy in Israel.”
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
II. THE NUMBER OF THE WARRIORS WHO MADE DAVID KING IN HEBRON AFTER SAULS DEATH (1Ch. 12:23-40).
(23) And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war.Literally, And these are the numbers of the heads of the equipped for warfare. Heads may mean (1) polls, or individuals, as in Jdg. 5:30, though skull (gulgleth) is more usual in this sense; or (2) it may mean totals, bands, as in Jdg. 7:16. The latter seems preferable here. The Vulg. and LXX. render chiefs of the army; but no chiefs are named in the list, except those of the Aaronites (1Ch. 12:27-28); and we cannot suppose, on the strength of a single ambiguous term in the heading, that the character of the entire list has been altered by the chronicler. The Syriac version omits the whole verse.
And came to David.And is wanting in the Heb. They came to David at Hebron, &c., is a parenthesis, unless the relative has fallen out.
To turn the kingdom.Literally, to bring it round out of the direct line of natural heredity (1Ch. 10:14).
According to the word.Literally, mouth (1Ch. 11:3; 1Ch. 11:10). What Jehovah had spoken by Samuel was virtually the word of his own mouth.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
LIST OF WARRIORS WHO MADE DAVID KING OF ALL ISRAEL, 1Ch 12:23-40.
This list is a most interesting and important document in the annals of David. It indicates the proportion of sympathy and help (the number of votes, so to speak) he received from the various tribes at the time referred to in 1Ch 11:1-3, when “all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron,” to transfer to his hands the kingdom of Saul. Bertheau thinks that we have here only an extract from a complete list which contained the names and number of the chiefs, and also the number of warriors. This, however, is uncertain. The list may, indeed, have undergone some corruption, but it contains so many evidences of genuineness that we may well regard it as in the main a faithful copy.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
23. The numbers of the bands Literally, the numbers of the heads. This the Septuagint and Vulgate take in the sense of the number of chiefs, or captains; but as the following list is devoted chiefly to the numbers of the warriors, it is better to understand the word ( ) as our translators have rendered it, bands, or companies, as it is rendered in Jdg 7:16; Jdg 7:20; Jdg 9:34; 1Sa 11:11.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Companies that Came to David at Hebron
v. 23. And these are the numbers of the bands, v. 24. The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war, v. 25. of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
v. 26. of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
v. 27. And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, v. 28. And Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, v. 29. And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand, v. 30. And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous throughout the house of their fathers; v. 31. And of the half-tribe of Manasseh, v. 32. And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, v. 33. of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, v. 34. And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
v. 35. And of the Danites, expert in war, twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
v. 36. And of Asher such as went forth to battle, expert in war, v. 37. And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, v. 38. All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, v. 39. And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brethren had prepared for them, v. 40. Moreover, they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
David’s army, in the numbers, may serve to remind us of that holy army of the Lord Jesus which John saw, which over and above the hundred and forty and four thousand of the sealed of Israel, had a multitude of the Gentile church, which no man can number. Precious thought, Reader! The army of the Lord Jesus is numerous as well as glorious. God the Father hath said, that it is a light thing to give him as a restorer of the tribes of Israel, he shall be his salvation to the ends of the earth. Isa 49:6 . Observe one sweet Gospel-instruction more from this passage. We are told that upon the accession of David to the throne, there was joy in Israel. But what joy is that, when Jesus sets up his throne in the soul of the sinner? And what everlasting joy will that be, when the archangel’s trump shall sound, and Jesus shalt come to reign among all his saints forever and forever. Hail, Almighty, Universal Lord! Thou art worthy indeed to receive all praises and honor, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, both now and forever. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
XVII
DAVID MADE KING OVER ALL ISRAEL, AND THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM FOR A CAPITAL
2Sa 5:1-10
This section is short, but intensely important. Please observe the method of the harmonist in arranging the text of the reign of David into periods of war, rest, and internal dissensions. This arrangement is admirable for topical discussion, but does not follow a strict chronological order of events. It is a characteristic of the histories themselves to intersperse here and there in the details of the story a comprehensive summary extending far beyond the specific details which precede or follow for example, 2Sa 5:4-14 .
The first notable event of this section is that David is made king over all Israel, at Hebron. For this consummation David himself deserves unstinted praise. There was nothing in his own conduct while Saul lived or after his death to make it difficult for any surviving partisan of Saul’s house to come over to David. Under persecution he had been loyal; in opportunities for vengeance he had been merciful; in the hour of triumph his spirit was not arrogant but conciliatory; in the long postponement of the divine purpose he was not impatient, never seeking, as some of his ancestors had done, to hasten by his own meddling the ripening of Jehovah’s prophecies and promises. And when some of his too zealous or more vengeful partisans took short cuts toward the destined end on lines of their own passions, he made it evident by signal rebuke that he was not personally responsible for their wrong-doing. He never rewarded a traitor for assassinating a member of the house of Saul except with instant execution and with expressions of the most pronounced abhorrence of their crimes. In impassioned and evidently sincere elegy he bore high tribute to the merits of the dead, mingled with a matchless charity that was silent as to their demerits, while sending benedictions to those who befriended them. So the remnants of Saul’s following and family had no grievances against David to forget or to forgive.
When we place over against this conduct of David the conduct of Philip II of Spain, the contrast is awful. Philip openly and habitually offered large rewards to assassins who by any means would murder his enemies, and sang, Te Deum Laudamus when they succeeded. His nature was as cold as a frog, poisonous as a snake, treacherous as a coyote, cruel as a panther. In wholesale murder, arson, and confiscation he was the prince of criminals, eclipsing the infamy of both Nero and Herod, and in stark unctuous hypocrisy none in the annals of time might dare to claim equality with him, much less pre-eminence over him. He was the Monster of the centuries. It certainly must have caused Satan himself to put on a sardonic grin when hearing Philip called “His most Christian majesty.” Spain, at Philip’s accession, was the dominant world-power; he left it with none so poor to do it reverence. Judea, at David’s accession, was at the bottom place among the nations; he left it on top, the glory of the world. The contrast spells just this: David was a saint, Philip was a devil.
It is to be regretted that so little reason prompted those tribes, now eager for union, to promote the defection which this union healed. Under the dominant influence of a selfish leader they set up Ishbosheth against the known will of Jehovah. They warred in open aggression against the choice of Jehovah. They made no decisive effort toward pacification while they had a leg to stand on, and when they did come back into the union their expressed reasons for return, while evidently now sincere, were all equally strong against their making the original breach. Look at these reasons and see. They assign three reasons for their return: (1) “Behold we are thy bone and thy flesh.” (2) “In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel.” (3) “Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.” In view of these cogent reasons, one may well inquire, Why, then, a long and bloody war of division?
The steps of the national reunion were these:
1. An armed host of all the tribes came simultaneously to David at Hebron to make him king.
2. Their elders, as representatives, enter into solemn covenant with him before Jehovah.
3. They anoint him king over all Israel.
4. A three-day’s festival of great joy celebrates the event. All these steps were profoundly significant, and are worthy of comment.
Concerning the first step the gathering of the armed host to Hebron some remarks are pertinent:
1. The total number of armed men who came together simultaneously from all of the tribes was enormous. Apart from the captains, and with the contingent of Issachar not stated, the total is 339,000, but assuming Issachar’s contingent to be somewhat between Zebulun’s and Napthali’s say 40,000, and adding the captains which are enumerated, the total would be 380,221.
2. The very large contingent from the house of Aaron of both branches shows how thoroughly the priesthood which Saul had hated stood by David.
3. The contingents from the least prominent tribes, Manaseeh, Zebulun, Napthali, Asher, Reuben, and Gad, were all out of proportion greater than the near-by tribes.
4. The small contingent from Benjamin is explained by the fact that even yet the greater part were attached to the house of Saul, but the reason of Judah’s small number is not given. The trans-Jordanic two-and-a-half tribes send a third of the total.
5. The remark concerning the contingent of the western half Manasseh is that they came instructed to make David king.
6. The remark concerning the two hundred leaders of Issachar has been the theme of many a sermon: “Men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.” Oh, that such men were multiplied in our day!
7. Concerning Zebulun’s 50,000, it is said they were “not of double heart.” May such men flourish in this unstable, twisting, and turning generation!
8. Indeed, concerning all of them, it is said, “They came with perfect heart to make David king.” It was quite in accord with the patriarchal and representative constitution of the nation that the princes and elders of the tribes should act for them in entering into covenant with David. It must have been an imposing sight, to see nearly half a million armed men in fifteen distinct corps waiting at Hebron, while their statesmen, prophets, priests, and generals deliberated on the terms of the covenant.
The Covenant. The covenant itself doubtless was based on the charter of the kingdom as defined by Moses and Samuel, which safeguarded the rights of all parties concerned, to wit: Jehovah, the king, the national assembly, the religion, and the people at large. It was an intensely religious act, seeing it was “before Jehovah.” Following this covenant came
The Anointing. David had already been twice anointed, first at Bethlehem privately by Samuel as an expression of Jehovah’s choice, and as a symbol of the Spirit-power that rested on him. A second time here at Hebron his anointing was expressive of Judah’s choice, but now this third more public and imposing anointing on such a grand occasion, following such a covenant, takes on a wider and most charming significance so appropriately expressed by David himself in Psa 133 that it seems to have been occasioned by this event: Behold, how good and bow pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments; Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: Fur there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life forevermore.
It is certain that never before nor since was there such a thorough and joyous unity of the nation, and such brotherly love among the Jews, nor ever will be until erring and dispersed Israel, long exiled from Jehovah’s favor, shall be gathered out of all nations and turn in one momentous day with such penitence as the world has never known to David’s greater Son, according to the prophecies of Zechariah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Paul. Then, indeed, in one sense, will the “Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” be “anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows” because he sees “the travail of his soul” concerning Israel and is satisfied. We might well look to a greater fulfilment when the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, at which time more appropriately than ever before in the history may a redeemed and united world unite in singing the greatest human coronation hymn, Bring forth the royal diadem And crown Him Lord of all!
The festival. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the whole occasion is the provision made for entertaining a half million people for three days. Our text says, “And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had made preparation for them. Moreover, they that were nigh unto them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, victual of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Israel.” This great festival of joy not only reminds us of the sacrificial feast following the covenant at Sinai (Exo 24:1-11 ), but prefigures the one announced in later days by Isaiah thus: “And in this mountain will Jehovah of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that covereth all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He hath swallowed up death forever; and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of his people will he take away from off all the earth,” Isa 25:6-8 , or that greater festival adverted to by our Lord when he said concerning the salvation of the multitudinous thousands of the Gentiles, “Many shall come from the East and the West, and the North and the South, and shall recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”
The auspices for the nation were all propitious. They have a king over them, not like other nations, but a king after God’s own heart. The rights, powers, and privileges of all parties interested were all clearly defined and solemnized by imposing ceremonies of religion. Here was God’s choice of the man, the ratification by the national assembly, bonds of charter and covenant, the presence and concurrence of prophet and priests, to which may be added, in the words of our text, “And all the rest also of Israel were all of one heart to make David King.” The plan of the kingdom, and its start are perfect. If failure shall come in later days, as come it will, it will be no fault in the plan.
The taking of Jerusalem. David’s first act of royalty tends to promote and perpetuate the union, namely, the securing of a central capital, strong for defense or aggression, and not likely to promote tribal jealousy. It would not do to make Hebron, distinctly a city of Judah, the national capital, nor yet Gibeah of Benjamin, where Saul had reigned. It must be a new place which commanded the Arabah, the Negeb, the Mediterranean coast, and all the highways from north to south and east to west. To meet these conditions there was but one place, the city whose citadel was held by the Jebusites; part of it lay in Judah’s allotted territory and part in Benjamin’s, but neither had driven the Jebusites from the citadel which overawed the city.
Memories of the place. It had been the city of Melchizedek, king of peace and righteousness, priest of the Most High God, to whom Abraham had paid tithes, and type of our Lord, David’s greater son. There, also, on Mount Moriah, in the greatest typical act of the ages, Abraham came to offer up his well-beloved son, Isaac, the child of promise, and there, in a type of our Lord’s resurrection, was Isaac saved. The authority of Moses still cried, “Drive out these Jebusites,” so David called the united nation to arms.
The selection of a capital for a nation made up of varied and jealous constituencies calls for the highest wisdom and the broadest spirit of compromise. Every student of our national history will recall what a perplexing thing it was for our fathers to agree on the site of a national capital. Philadelphia, the continental capital, would not do, nor would Annapolis, where Washington returned his sword at the close of the war, nor New York, with its Wall Street, where Washington was inaugurated. A district, ceded by Virginia and Maryland as an inalienable national possession, was the compromise, just as here Jerusalem, lying partly in Judah and partly in Benjamin, becomes the capital, and yet to be conquered by united force of the nation, giving all a special interest in it. “For similar reasons,” says a fine commentator, “promotive of national union, we have seen Victor Emmanuel made king of a united Italy, change his capital, first from Turin in Lombardv to Florence in Tuscanv and then to Rome, the ancient imperial city.” So now, David the wisest and most prudent of monarchs, avails himself of the enthusiasm of a united nation and the presence of a great army to lead them to storm the citadel of the Jebusites.
Two incidents of that great victory are worthy of note: (1) the scornful greeting of the Jebusites, confident in the impregnability of their fortress: “Even with the blind and the lame to hold the walls he cannot come hither.” (2) David’s offer to reward the one who would scale the wall, the position of commander-in-chief of his army, won by his nephew Joab. Following the conquest comes the fortification.
Rapid fortification. He lengthened, strengthened, and connected the walls of the city. Indeed, there was reason for haste, as storms of war were gathering from every point of the horizon.
Two results follow the union of the nation under such a king, and the rapid conquest and fortification of such a capital: (1) David waxed stronger and stronger; (2) neighboring nations, jealous and alarmed, prepare to pour on him a tide of war.
And now, before we dip into the bloody pages of these wars, two remarks are timely: (1) Throughout David’s reign, every act of his administration is promotive of the national unity centered at Jerusalem; (2) Jerusalem from this date forward to the end of time and throughout eternity will be the world’s chief city, either in type or antitype. Its vicissitudes in subsequent history are the most remarkable in the annals of time. On account of David’s work and preparation it became in Solomon’s day the joy of the whole earth. The Psalms proclaim its glory in worship, and after its fall they voice the exile’s lament: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its cunning and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.” Babylon captured it; Persia restored it; Greece, through Alexander the Great, honored it; Antiochus Epiphanes defiled it, the Asmoneans took it; the Messiah heard its hosannabs one day and its “Crucify Him” another day; Rome destroyed it; the Saracens captured it; the Crusader re-captured it; the Turk holds it and Germany covets it: its desolation has lasted nearly 2000 years and will last until the fulness of the Gentiles comes in. Its greatest glory is that its temple symbolized the churches of the living God, and the city itself symbolized the heavenly Jerusalem, which is the mother of all the saints. [The author’s reference to Germany’s desire to acquire Jerusalem was written long before World War I which has witnessed the Germanic-Turkish alliance. The words seem prophetic. EDITOR.]
QUESTIONS
1. What was the method of the harmonist in arranging the text of David’s reign?
2. What is a characteristic of the histories themselves?
3. What is the first notable event of this section?
4. What credit was due David himself in this great consummation?
5. Contrast David’s course in this matter with the character and polity of Philip II of Spain.
6. What reasons are assigned by the tribes for their return to David, and the bearing of their reasons on their defection?
7. What are the several steps of this national reunion?
8. What are the notable particulars of the armed hosts who assembled?
9. What tare he representative act of the elders?
10. What of the covenant itself?
11. What of the anointing?
12. What of the three days’ festival?
13. What was the first kingly act of David to strengthen and perpetuate this national union?
14. What place was selected for the capital, its advantages, and memories?
15. What are the incidents of its capture?
16. What were the steps taken to fortify it?
17. What two results naturally followed this union of the nation under such a king in such a capital?
18. What is the position of Jerusalem henceforward among the cities of the world?
19. Relate some of its vicissitudes in subsequent history.
Fuente: B.H. Carroll’s An Interpretation of the English Bible
1Ch 12:23 And these [are] the numbers of the bands [that were] ready armed to the war, [and] came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
Ver. 23. And came to David to Hebron. ] Seven years after Saul’s death. They should have come sooner; but better late than never. Nunquam sero, si serio.
word = mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what was spoken by it.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
1Ch 12:23-40
1Ch 12:23-40
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DAVID AS KING OF ALL ISRAEL
“And these are the numbers of the heads of them that were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Jehovah. The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war. Of the childen of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred. And Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron; and with him were three thousand and seven hundred, and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house twenty and two captains. And of the children of Benjamin, the brethren of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greater part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous in their fathers’ houses. And of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king. And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, and that could order the battle array, and were not of double heart. And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand. And of the Danites that could set the battle in array, twenty and eight thousand and six hundred. And of Asher, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, forty thousand. And on the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand.
“All these, being men of war, that could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brethren had made preparations for them. Moreover they that were nigh unto them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, victuals of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Israel.”
Critical writers, lacking any real reason to press their denials regarding the authenticity of Chronicles, seize upon the numbers of the armed men coming to Hebron to make David king, declaring them to be unreaonable, exaggerated, “magnified,” unhistorical, inaccurate, etc. To all such allegations, there is one single word: NONSENSE! The conclusion announced by Curtis (Madsen) that, “Our chapter (this one) has no real historical worth,” betrays the bias and essential ignorance of all such allegations. Curtis pointed out that the numbers given here in 1Ch 12:23-40 come to a sum total of 339,600 men. There is nothing whatever suspicious, unreasonable, or difficult in the coming of such a crowd to Hebron for the coronation of King David.
There are a number of historical references to the Jewish Passover, held every year in Jerusalem, indicating that in excess of 60,000 lambs were often slain at each celebration of the Passover; and there is one citation in which over 250,000 lambs were killed at the Passover. Counting ten persons for each lamb, as prescribed in Exodus, indicates that crowds in Jerusalem were frequently in excess of half a million in number; and that in some instances, crowds of over a million came to the Holy City. In this light, there is every reason to hold the numbers given here as absolutely accurate, nor should any Christian allow some unbelieving enemy of God’s Word to cast any doubt whatever upon them.
E.M. Zerr:
1Ch 12:23. The reader is taken back to the time David was king in Hebron. At that time he reigned only over the tribe of Judah as a whole. But there were individuals who had friendly feeling for him and came to his aid. They believed that David was the rightful ruler, and that the attempts to hold the kingdom for Saul’s family were unlawful.
1Ch 12:24. It would be expected that men of Judah would be in sympathy with David in the controversy- Yet it sometimes occurs that professed sympathy is all the assistance one gets, while these men of the home tribe where David was reigning showed their sincerity by being ready armed to the war.
1Ch 12:25-26. Here we see that some men of the tribes who were supposed to be under Saul’s son came over to David’s side- They were not just those who might have been considered the weaklings seeking some recognition. They were mighty men of valor, which means they were strong men.
1Ch 12:27. The previous verse had mentioned the children of Levi. That would mean the tribe as a whole which consisted of three important groups from the three sons of Levi. The present verse considers one family of Levi only, the Aaronites. They were the priests since only the family of Aaron was eligible for the priesthood.
1Ch 12:28. There were several men named Zadok, some of them in the priesthood. The one in this verse is different from all of them, and is known simply as a young man of much strength. He led 22 captains, or military leaders, in the service for David.
1Ch 12:29. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. It is significant, therefore, that 3,000 men of that tribe adhered to David, for the most of the tribe still clung to the house of Saul.
1Ch 12:30. Almost if not quite all of the tribes furnished men who were faithful to David, even while the tribes as a whole held with the conspiracy for Saul’s house for some years. But special reasons for mentioning the particular ones are often given. The men of Ephraim are said to have been famous. Strong defines the original word, “an appellation [or name] as mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.”
1Ch 12:31. Mention of the half tribe of Manasseh does not mean that part of the tribe was opposed to David. Half of that tribe had settled on the east side of the Jordan River, which would explain why they had not taken active part in the movements. 1Ch 12:20 had already mentioned 7 men of this tribe who came to David’s side, and they were captains. Our present paragraph refers to 18,000 of that tribe who, though not as prominent as the ones in 1Ch 12:20, were men of sufficient importance that when they came to David they were all named out to him.
1Ch 12:32. Understanding of the times means they were men of good judgment, to know what to do in all emergencies; the less efficient men cooperated with these.
1Ch 12:33. These men are mentioned because of their expert ability in battle. They could make formations for the actions that were helpful towards victory. Not of double heart means they were not wavering in their purposes.
1Ch 12:34. The men of this tribe are mentioned because of their expertness in handling the shield and spear. The spear was a long rod or pole with a sharp, heavy head, and used by hurling with the hand at the enemy. This was done with the right hand, and the shield was a plate of metal held in the left hand to ward off the spears thrown by the enemy.
1Ch 12:35. The simple statement that these men were expert in war is the motive for taking note of this group of the Danites.
1Ch 12:36. In this and two other verses above the word expert is used to describe the quality of the men referred to. The particular meaning of the original word is defined by Strong thus: “A primitive root; to set in a row, i. e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications).” The practical meaning of the word is ability to keep in order under the excitement of battle.
1Ch 12:37. Other side of Jordan means the east side, because the author is writing from the main part of the Jewish territory which is Palestine proper, west of Jordan.
1Ch 12:38. The writer extends the date of his narrative to the time when David was to be accepted as king of the whole nation. Many of the men cited above had shown their sympathy for him before; now they are taking an active part in the developments. The qualification could keep rank is the same as being “expert” which was defined at 1Ch 12:36. Came with a perfect heart means they were wholehearted in their friendship for David. The various tribes were sincere in their offer to recognize him, although some of the individuals had been slow in seeing the injustice of the usurpation of the house of Saul after his death.
1Ch 12:39. The people had come to Hebron because that was the place where David had been located during his restricted reign. They had been expected, and preparations were made for a feast that lasted 3 days.
1Ch 12:40. This verse describes a gathering of many people of Israel. It was a joyous time because the opposition to David had subsided, and the outward expressions of support for him caused all to nave a sense of relief. The general feeling of joy prompted these men of the tribes mentioned to contribute the food for the entertainment, so that the three-day feast was an occasion of great joy.
am 2956, bc 1048, An, Ex, Is, 433
the numbers: 1Ch 11:1-3, 2Sa 2:3, 2Sa 2:4, 2Sa 5:1-3
bands: or, captains, or men, Heb. heads
came to David: Some learned men understand this as relating to the time when David was make king over Judah, on his first coming to Hebron, but it seems wholly to refer to his being made king over all Israel, after the death of Ishbosheth; for there was no such union or assembly of the several tribes on the former occasion, as is here described.
to turn: 1Ch 10:14
according: 1Ch 11:10, 1Sa 16:1, 1Sa 16:3, 1Sa 16:12, 1Sa 16:13, 2Sa 3:18, Psa 2:6, Psa 89:19, Psa 89:20
Reciprocal: Gen 35:22 – Now the sons Exo 1:1 – General Deu 17:15 – whom Jos 10:36 – Hebron 2Sa 3:9 – as the Lord 2Sa 15:10 – Hebron
1Ch 12:23-24. According to the word of the Lord Whereby he had settled the crown on David after Sauls death. Six thousand, &c. Who came hither in the name of their brethren: for that whole tribe adhered to David.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments