Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 12

Verses 1-40

2. David’s Warriors and Friends

CHAPTER 12

1. The Benjamite warriors with David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:1-7 )

2. The other warriors (1 Chronicles 12:8-22 )

3. Those who came to make him king (1 Chronicles 12:23-40 )

And now those are given by name who stood by David, when he was an outcast, rejected and persecuted by Saul. They were mighty men, his helpers in war. The leading company were of Benjamin, the tribe to which Saul belonged. These joined him when he was at Ziklag. In the wilderness of Judah certain of the Gadites separated themselves unto him, “whose faces were like the faces of lions and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains.” May we remember again that all this is written for our learning. Our Lord is rejected and we can stand by Him, as these mighty men stood by David. Men with faces like lions, bold and courageous, are needed, as well as those as swift as the roes upon the mountains, in doing His bidding in true service. They braved the floods of Jordan and swept all hindrances out of the way to reach David, and when David spoke to them to ascertain why they had come, the Spirit of God sent through Amasai a message which must have greatly cheered his heart. “Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse.” May we say to Him whose we are and whom we serve, “Thine we are, O Lord, and on Thy side, Thou Son of God.” Other valiant men of Manasseh also joined him and helped him greatly.

Then a wonderful gathering took place. From everywhere they gathered to make David king. Even from the most northern parts of the land, from issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali they came for one of the greatest events which happened in Israel’s history. If we tabulate the figures given in verses 23-37 we have the following results:

Of Judah

6,800 Men

Of Simeon

7,100 Men

Of Levi

4,600 Men

With Jehoiada, the “prince” (not high-priest of Aaron)

3,700 Men

Zadok and his father’s house

22 chiefs.

Of Benjamin

3,000 Men

Of Ephraim

20,800 Men

Of half Manasseh

18,000 Men

Of Issachar

200 leaders.

Of Zebulun

50,000 Men

Of Naphtali

37,000 Men

1,000 chiefs.

Of Dan

28,600 Men

Of Asher

40,000 Men

Of the 2-1/2 tribes east of Jordan

120,000 Men

Total

339,600 Men

1,222 chiefs. etc.

This immense company of people came and they had all one desire and one thought, “to make David king.” They were not of a double heart. There was no dissenting voice; they were of one heart, they came with a perfect heart to make David king.

A great feast was kept. They 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. There was joy in Israel. But how much greater will be the joy, and what a feast will be made, when He is made King, not alone over Israel, but when He will be enthroned as King of kings and Lord of lords!