1 Chronicles 12

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 12

1¶ Now these [are] they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they [were] among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

2[They were] armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in [hurling] stones and [shooting] arrows out of a bow, [even] of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

3The chief [was] Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,

4And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,

5Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,

6Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,

7And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, [and] men of war [fit] for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces [were like] the faces of lions, and [were] as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

9Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.

14These [were] of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least [was] over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.

15These [are] they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all [them] of the valleys, [both] toward the east, and toward the west.

16And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

17And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if [ye be come] to betray me to mine enemies, seeing [there is] no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look [thereon], and rebuke [it].

18Then 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.

19And there fell [some] of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to [the jeopardy of] our heads.

20As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that [were] of Manasseh.

21And they helped David against the band [of the rovers]: for they [were] all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.

22For at [that] time day by day there came to David to help him, until [it was] a great host, like the host of God.

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.

24The children of Judah that bare shield and spear [were] six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.

25Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

26Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

27And Jehoiada [was] the leader of the Aaronites, and with him [were] three thousand and seven hundred;

28And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.

29And 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.

30And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers.

31And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

32And 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.

33Of 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.

34And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.

35And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.

36And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.

37And 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, an hundred and twenty thousand.

38All 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.

39And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.

40Moreover 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

First Chronicles chapter 12 details the various groups of mighty warriors who joined David during his time of hiding from Saul and later at Hebron. These men, from different tribes, were skilled in warfare and demonstrated unwavering loyalty to David. Their growing numbers culminated in a great host that assembled at Hebron to make him king over all Israel, fulfilling God's word. This assembly was marked by unity and great joy.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins by listing the brave warriors from Benjamin and Judah who joined David at Ziklag while he was still pursued by Saul, highlighting their diverse combat skills. Subsequently, formidable Gadites, described as lion-faced and swift as roes, crossed the flooded Jordan to align with David in the wilderness. David cautiously received more men from Benjamin and Judah, who pledged their loyalty through Amasai. Men from Manasseh also joined David, proving their valor against raiders, contributing to the daily growth of his forces. The narrative then shifts to the grand assembly at Hebron, where numerous contingents from all tribes arrived, ready to make David king as prophesied by the LORD. These included large numbers of armed men from Judah, Simeon, Ephraim, and the Transjordanian tribes, alongside the wise men of Issachar. The chapter emphasizes that these warriors came with a "perfect heart" to establish David's reign, culminating in a three-day celebration fueled by abundant provisions and widespread joy throughout Israel.

Long Summary

First Chronicles chapter 12 meticulously records the diverse and skilled warriors who progressively joined David, first during his period of hiding from King Saul, and later for his coronation. It commences with a detailed list of men from Benjamin and Judah who came to David at Ziklag, noting their proficiency with both right and left hands in hurling stones and shooting arrows. Following this, a contingent of fierce and swift Gadites, described as having faces like lions and speed like roes, separated themselves to David in the wilderness, even crossing the Jordan River during its flood season. David's cautious reception of additional men from Benjamin and Judah is highlighted, met by Amasai's powerful declaration of loyalty, affirming divine support for David. Furthermore, men from Manasseh joined David at Ziklag after his dismissal by the Philistines, proving their valor by helping him against raiding bands. The text emphasizes that David's forces grew daily, becoming "a great host, like the host of God." The chapter then transitions to the significant gathering at Hebron, where armed contingents from all twelve tribes assembled to establish David as king over all Israel, in accordance with the word of the LORD. Specific numbers are provided for each tribe: Judah contributed 6,800 men, Simeon 7,100, Levi 4,600 (including Aaronites and Zadok), Benjamin 3,000, Ephraim 20,800, and the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000. Notably, the men of Issachar are distinguished for their understanding of the times, knowing what Israel ought to do. Zebulun provided 50,000 expert warriors described as "not of double heart," while Naphtali, Dan, and Asher also sent substantial forces. The Transjordanian tribes—Reuben, Gad, and the other half of Manasseh—contributed a massive 120,000. All these warriors are explicitly stated to have come to Hebron "with a perfect heart" to make David king, reflecting a unified national consensus. The chapter concludes with a description of a three-day feast, where abundant provisions were brought from neighboring regions, underscoring the profound joy and unity that permeated Israel during David's coronation.

Core Concepts

  • Loyalty to DavidMany diverse groups and individuals, including those from Saul's own tribe of Benjamin, demonstrated unwavering allegiance to David, joining him during his time of vulnerability and later for his coronation. This highlights the growing support for David as God's chosen king.
  • Warrior ProwessThe chapter repeatedly emphasizes the exceptional military skills of those who joined David, describing them as "mighty men," "expert in war," and capable of handling various weapons, often with unique abilities like ambidexterity or lion-like ferocity. This showcases the quality of David's emerging army.
  • Divine MandateThe assembly at Hebron to make David king is explicitly stated to be "according to the word of the LORD," indicating that David's ascension was part of God's sovereign plan. This divine backing legitimized his kingship over Israel.
  • Unity of IsraelThe detailed enumeration of contingents from nearly all tribes, culminating in their collective arrival at Hebron "with a perfect heart," signifies the widespread national consensus and unity in accepting David as king. This marked a significant shift from the divided loyalties under Saul.
  • Understanding of the Times (Issachar)The tribe of Issachar is uniquely described as having "understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." This highlights a spiritual and strategic discernment that guided their support for David's rightful claim to the throne.
  • Abundant Provision and JoyThe chapter concludes with a scene of great feasting and abundant provisions brought from afar, symbolizing the widespread joy and prosperity associated with David's kingship. This signifies a period of national celebration and well-being.