Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 12:40
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.
40. they that were nigh unto them ] The relatives of the assembled warriors cared for their needs.
even unto Issachar ] R.V. even as far as Issachar. Even those warriors who came from the northern districts were provisioned by their kinsfolk.
and meat, meal ] R.V. victual of meal.
bunches of raisins ] R.V. clusters of raisins; as 1Sa 25:18; 1Sa 30:12; cp. 2Sa 16:1.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They that were nigh them; that lived not far from Hebron, the place where they now were.
Unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali: this is added by way of amplification and explication, to show that he did not understand this of those Israelites only who lived in the neighbourhood of Hebron, but of those that lived at some distance, yet were nearer to Hebron than some of the other tribes here named.
On oxen; which though not commonly used in this manner, nor fit for such purposes, now they so used, because the quantity of provisions which they brought was very great, as the numbers of the people at Hebron were, and horses they had few in Israel, and most of their asses, and camels, and mules here mentioned probably were used to carry divers men, or women and children, to this great, and public, and happy solemnity.
There was joy in Israel; partly because their civil wars were wholly ended, and they were all united under one king; and partly because they had now a king of eminent valour, and piety, and felicity, and therefore expected to be saved from all their enemies and calamities, as they were.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Moreover, they that were nigh,…. To Hebron, or bordered on the tribe of Judah:
even unto Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali; as far as to those tribes, and including them:
brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules; all which were creatures used to carry burdens:
and on oxen; who, though commonly employed in ploughing, yet, on this occasion, might be made use of either in drawing wagons laden with provisions, such as follow, or in carrying loads on their backs; though, as Tully g observes, their backs show they were not formed to receive and carry burdens:
and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly, that is, food made of flour, pastries, besides bread, before mentioned, with dried figs, pressed and made into cakes, and clusters of grapes dried, and of liquids, wine and oil, which make cheerful, and beef and mutton in great plenty:
for there was joy in Israel; that their civil wars were ended; that they were united into one kingdom again; and had a king over them according to their hearts’ desire, the darling of the people, of whom they had raised expectations; being a valiant, prudent, and good man, who studied the good both of church and state, and, above all, was one of God’s choosing, appointing, and anointing: greater joy there will be, when David’s son and antitype, Zion’s King, reigns, when he shall be King over all the earth, and there will be one Lord, and his name one, Ps 97:1.
g De Natura Deorum, l. 2. prope finem.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(40) They that were nigh them.The tribes bordering on Judah (LXX. ), and even the northern tribes, contributed provisions.
Brought, were bringing.
Asses . . . camels . . . mules . . . oxen, but not horses, were the usual beasts of burden in rocky Canaan.
Meat, meal.Rather, food of flour.
Bunches.Rather, cakes of raisins; masses of dried figs and raisins were, and are, a staple article of food i the East (comp. 1Sa. 25:18; Amo. 8:11). The simple diction of the narrative, reminding us of Homers feasts, is a mark of its ancient origin.
1 Chronicles 13-16 form a complete section relating to the transfer of the Ark from Kirjath-jearim to its new sanctuary at Jerusalem. The continuity of the narrative is only suspended by the short parenthetic 1 Chronicles 14. 1 Chronicles 13 is closely parallel to 2Sa. 6:1-11. The introduction, however (1Ch. 12:1-5), is much fuller than that of Samuel, which is condensed into one brief sentence.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
40. Even unto Issachar Not only the tribes near Hebron, but those on the far off northern frontier contributed provisions for this great national feast.
The numbers of this list amount to 340,822, including 8,322 Levites and priests. When now we remember that the nation numbered 600,000 warriors in the time of Moses, (Num 1:46,) and 800,000 (besides the 500,000 of Judah) in the last years of David’s reign, (2Sa 24:9,) it seems probable that the numbers of the present list, both in the aggregate and in detail, are substantially correct. We need not suppose that all the warriors of all the tribes went to Hebron to make David king, but that about 300,000 appeared on that occasion is every way probable. With this vast host of warriors the newly elected king of “all Israel” proceeded at once to the conquest of Jerusalem. See 1Ch 11:1-9.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
WHILE we behold David thus surrounded with his worthies, let our thoughts take wing and fly away to the contemplation of David’s Lord, now attended with his redeemed ones around the throne which is above. Yes: thou Holy and Exalted Saviour! we may, by the eye of faith, look within the vail, and see thee encircled with all the chosen race of worthies, that have followed thee, and been of thine host, from all ages. The glorious company of the Apostles, the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the noble army of martyrs, all, all, praise thee. And worthy art thou to be praised, thou Holy One of Israel!
And think, ye redeemed ones on earth, whom the Lord! hath gathered from among men, and made kings and priests unto God and the Father, – think to what high honour ye are called, in that ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people. Oh! sound forth the high praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who were once afar of but are now brought nigh by his blood: who were once not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. If the worthies of David are thus registered in the Chronicles, think of the high honour of the worthies of Jesus, made worthy in his worthiness only, in having their names written in heaven. If David’s warriors are thus spoken of with such honorable testimony in the book of God, recollect your dignity, ye soldiers in the holy army of Jesus, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice. The Lord is at hand. Yet a little while and Jesus will appear to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all that believe. And then the Son of God will be seen surrounded with all his throng, and not one, even the humblest and least of his redeemed, will be found wanting, Haste, my beloved, and until the day break and the shadows flee away, be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 12:40 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.
Ver. 40. Moreover, their brethren. ] By grace and place.
For there was joy in Israel.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
and on camels. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton, emphasizing the fact that there were no horses.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
brought: The Septuagint reads , “brought (to) them” which is probably correct; the Hebrew lahem, “to them” might be easily mistaken for lechem, “bread.” The passage will then read, “bought them on asses, on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, meat, meal, cakes of figs,” etc., which renders the introduction of and unnecessary. From the mention of oil, figs, and raisins, Mr. Harmer thinks that this assembly was held in autumn. 2Sa 16:1, 2Sa 17:27-29
meat, meal: or, victual of meal
cakes of figs: 1Sa 25:18
there was joy: 1Ki 1:40, 2Ki 11:20, Pro 11:10, Pro 29:2, Jer 23:5, Jer 23:6, Luk 19:37-38, Rev 19:5-7
Reciprocal: 2Ki 11:14 – all the people 2Ch 23:13 – all the people
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 12:40. They that were nigh them That lived not far from Hebron, the place where they now were. Unto Issachar, &c. This is added by way of amplification and explication, to show that this was not to be understood of those Israelites only who lived in the neighbourhood of Hebron, but of those also who lived at some distance, yet were nearer to Hebron than some of the other tribes here named. And on oxen Which, though not commonly used in this manner, nor very fit for such purposes, yet were now employed, because the quantity of provisions which they brought was very great, as the number of the people at Hebron were, and of horses they had few in Israel, and most of their asses, camels, and mules, here mentioned, were probably used to carry men, women, and children, to this great, and public, and happy solemnity. For there was joy in Israel Partly because their civil wars were wholly ended, and they were all united under one king; and partly because they had now a king of eminent valour and piety, and therefore expected to be saved from all their enemies and calamities, as indeed they were. Such was the joy and feasting when David was made king. And when the throne of the Son of David is set up in any soul, there is great joy in that soul; and provision is made for the feasting of it, not as here, merely for two or three days, but for the whole life, nay, for eternity.