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Texts -- 1 Chronicles 12:1-20 (NET)

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Warriors Who Joined David at Ziklag
12:1 These were the men who joined David in Ziklag , when he was banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish . (They were among the warriors who assisted him in battle . 12:2 They were armed with bows and could shoot arrows or sling stones right or left-handed . They were fellow tribesmen of Saul from Benjamin .) These were: 12:3 Ahiezer , the leader , and Joash , the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite ; Jeziel and Pelet , the sons of Azmaveth ; Berachah , Jehu the Anathothite , 12:4 Ishmaiah the Gibeonite , one of the thirty warriors and their leader,Jeremiah, Jahaziel , Johanan , Jozabad the Gederathite , 12:5 Eluzai , Jerimoth , Bealiah , Shemariah , Shephatiah the Haruphite , 12:6 Elkanah , Isshiah , Azarel , Joezer , and Jashobeam , who were Korahites , 12:7 and Joelah and Zebadiah , the sons of Jeroham from Gedor . 12:8 Some of the Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the desert . They were warriors who were trained for battle ; they carried shields and spears . They were as fierce as lions and could run as quickly as gazelles across the hills . 12:9 Ezer was the leader , Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third , 12:10 Mishmannah the fourth , Jeremiah the fifth , 12:11 Attai the sixth , Eliel the seventh , 12:12 Johanan the eighth , Elzabad the ninth , 12:13 Jeremiah the tenth , and Machbannai the eleventh . 12:14 These Gadites were military leaders ; the least led a hundred men, the greatest a thousand . 12:15 They crossed the Jordan River in the first month , when it was overflowing its banks , and routed those living in all the valleys to the east and west . 12:16 Some from Benjamin and Judah also came to David’s stronghold . 12:17 David went out to meet them and said , “If you come to me in peace and want to help me, then I will make an alliance with you. But if you come to betray me to my enemies when I have not harmed you, may the God of our ancestors take notice and judge !” 12:18 But a spirit empowered Amasai , the leader of the thirty warriors, and he said: “We are yours, O David ! We support you, O son of Jesse ! May you greatly prosper ! May those who help you prosper! Indeed your God helps you!” So David accepted them and made them leaders of raiding bands . 12:19 Some men from Manasseh joined David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul . (But in the end they did not help the Philistines because, after taking counsel , the Philistine lords sent David away , saying : “It would be disastrous for us if he deserts to his master Saul .”) 12:20 When David went to Ziklag , the men of Manasseh who joined him were Adnach , Jozabad , Jediael , Michael , Jozabad , Elihu , and Zillethai , leaders of a thousand soldiers each in the tribe of Manasseh .

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Bible Dictionary

  • David

    [ebd] beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother's name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal ...
    [isbe] DAVID - da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon): I. NAME AND GENEALOGY II. EARLY YEARS 1. Shepherd 2. Slinger 3. Harpist 4. Poet 5. Psalmist 6. Tribesman III....
    [nave] DAVID 1. King of Israel. Genealogy of, Ruth 4:18-22; 1 Sam. 16:11; 17:12; 1 Chr. 2:3-15; Matt. 1:1-6; Luke 3:31-38. A shepherd, 1 Sam. 16:11. Kills a lion and a bear, 1 Sam. 17:34-36. Anointed king, while a youth, by the ...

  • Captain

    [ebd] (1.) Heb. sar (1 Sam. 22:2; 2 Sam. 23:19). Rendered "chief," Gen. 40:2; 41:9; rendered also "prince," Dan. 1:7; "ruler," Judg. 9:30; "governor,' 1 Kings 22:26. This same Hebrew word denotes a military captain (Ex. 18:21; 2 K...
    [isbe] CAPTAIN - kap'-tin: In the King James Version there are no fewer than 13 Hebrew words, and 4 different Greek words, which are rendered by this one English word. In the Revised Version (British and American) some of these are...
    [nave] CAPTAIN Commander-in-chief of an army, Deut. 20:9; Judg. 4:2; 1 Sam. 14:50; 1 Kin. 2:35; 16:16; 1 Chr. 27:34. Of the tribes, Num. 2. Of thousands, Num. 31:48; 1 Sam. 17:18; 1 Chr. 28:1. Of hundreds, 2 Kin. 11:15. See: Ce...

  • Chronicles, Books of

    [ebd] The two books were originally one. They bore the title in the Massoretic Hebrew Dibre hayyamim, i.e., "Acts of the Days." This title was rendered by Jerome in his Latin version "Chronicon," and hence "Chronicles." In the Sep...

  • Jeremiah

    [ebd] raised up or appointed by Jehovah. (1.) A Gadite who joined David in the wilderness (1 Chr. 12:10). (2.) A Gadite warrior (1 Chr. 12:13). (3.) A Benjamite slinger who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:4). (4.) One of the chi...
    [smith] Seven other persons bearing the same name as the prophet are mentioned in the Old Testament:-- Jeremiah of Libnah, father of Hamutal wife of Josiah. (2 Kings 23:31) (B.C. before 632.) 2,3,4. Three warriors --two of the tr...
    [nave] JEREMIAH 1. Of Libnah, grandfather of Jehoahaz, 2 Kin. 23:31; 24:18; Jer. 52:1. 2. A chief of Manasseh, 1 Chr. 5:24. 3. An Israelite who joined David at Ziklag, 1 Chr. 12:4. 4. Two Gadites who joined David at Ziklag, 1 Ch...

  • Gad

    [ebd] fortune; luck. (1.) Jacob's seventh son, by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and the brother of Asher (Gen. 30:11-13; 46:16, 18). In the Authorized Version of 30:11 the words, "A troop cometh: and she called," etc., should rather be...
    [nave] GAD 1. Jacob's seventh son, Gen. 30:11; 35:26; Ex. 1:4. Children of, Gen. 46:16; Num. 26:15-18; 1 Chr. 5:11. Prophecy concerning, Gen. 49:19. 2. A tribe of Israel. Blessed by Moses, Deut. 33:20. Enumeration of, at Sinai,...

  • Johanan

    [ebd] whom Jehovah graciously bestows. (1.) One of the Gadite heroes who joined David in the desert of Judah (1 Chr. 12:12). (2.) The oldest of King Josiah's sons (1 Chr. 3:15). (3.) Son of Careah, one of the Jewish chiefs who ral...
    [isbe] JOHANAN - jo-ha'-nan (yochanan, "Yahweh has been gracious"; Ioanan; compare JEHOHANAN): (1) Son of Kareah, and one of "the captains of the forces who were in the fields" (i.e. probably guerrilla bands), who allied with Gedal...
    [smith] (gift or grace of God). Son of Azariah and grandson of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, and father of Azariah, 3. (1 Chronicles 6:9,10) Authorized Version. Son of Elioenai, the son of Neariah, the son of Shemaiah, in the line of...
    [nave] JOHANAN 1. A Jewish captain, 2 Kin. 25:22-24. Warns Gedaliah against Ishmael, Jer. 40:13-16. Ishmael defeated by, Jer. 41:11-15. Sought prayers of Jeremiah, Jer. 42:2, 3. Disobeyed Jeremiah and took him to Egypt, Jer. 43...

  • Jozabad

    [ebd] whom Jehovah bestows. (1.) One of the Benjamite archers who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:4). (2.) A chief of the tribe of Manasseh (1 Chr. 12:20).
    [isbe] JOZABAD - joz'-a-bad (yozabhadh, "Yahweh has bestowed"): (1) A Gederathite, and one of David's recruits at Ziklag (1 Ch 12:4 (Hebrew 5)). He is named with the Benjamites, but possibly he was a native of the town Gedara in So...
    [smith] (Jehovah justifies). A captain of the thousands of Manasseh, who deserted to David before the battle of Gilboa. (1 Chronicles 12:20) (B.C. 1053.) A hero of Manasseh, like the preceding. (1 Chronicles 12:20) A Levite in...
    [nave] JOZABAD 1. Two men of Manasseh, 1 Chr. 12:20. 2. Two Levites, 2 Chr. 31:13; 35:9. 3. Son of Jeshua, Ezra 8:33. 4. A priest, Ezra 10:22. 5. Three Levites, Ezra 10:23; Neh. 8:7; 11:16. 6. One of David's famous warriors, 1...

  • Eliab

    [ebd] to whom God is father. (1.) A Reubenite, son of Pallu (Num. 16:1, 12; 26:8, 9; Deut. 11:6). (2.) A son of Helon, and chief of the tribe of Zebulun at the time of the census in the wilderness (Num. 1:9; 2:7). (3.) The son of ...
    [isbe] ELIAB - e-li'-ab ('eli'abh, "God is father"): (1) Prince of the tribe of Zebulun in the Exodus (Nu 1:9; 2:7; 7:24,29; 10:16). (2) A Reubenite, father of Dathan and Abiram (Nu 16:11,12; 26:8 f; Dt 11:6). (3) Eldest son of Jes...
    [smith] (God is my father). Son of Helon and leader of the tribe of Zebulun at the time of the census in the wilderness of Sinai. (Numbers 1:9; 2:7; 7:24,29; 10:16) (B.C. 1490.) A Reubenite, father of Dathan and Abiram. (Numbers 16:...
    [nave] ELIAB 1. A Reubenite, progenitor of Dathan and Abiram, Num. 26:8, 9; 16:1, 12; Deut. 11:6. 2. Son of Helon, Num. 1:9; 2:7; 7:24, 29; 10:16. 3. Ancestor of Samuel, 1 Chr. 6:27. Called also Elihu, 1 Sam. 1:1; and Eliel, 1 C...

  • Ezer

    [ebd] treasure. (1.) One of the sons of Seir, the native princes, "dukes," of Mount Hor (Gen. 36:21, 27). (2.) 1 Chr. 7:21; (3.) 4:4. (4.) One of the Gadite champions who repaired to David at Ziklag (12:9). (5.) A Levite (Neh. 3:1...
    [isbe] EZER - e'-zer (`ezer, "help"): (1) A Horite chief (Gen 36:21; 1 Ch 1:38). (2) A Judahite (1 Ch 4:4). (3) An Ephraimite, slain by men of Gath (1 Ch 7:21). (4) A Gadite who followed David while in exile on account of the wrath...
    [smith] (treasure). A son of Ephraim, who was slain by the aboriginal inhabitants of Gath while engaged in a foray on their cattle. (1 Chronicles 7:21) (B.C. before 1491.) A priest who assisted in the dedication of the walls of J...
    [nave] EZER 1. Called also Ezar, a Horite duke, Gen. 36:21, 27, 30; 1 Chr. 1:38, 42. 2. A son of Ephraim, 1 Chr. 7:21. 3. A priest, Neh. 12:42. 4. A man of Judah, 1 Chr. 4:4. Perhaps identical with the Ezra of 1 Chr. 4:17. 5. ...

  • Ziklag

    [isbe] ZIKLAG - zik'-lag (tsiqelagh, tsiqelagh (2 Sam 1:1), tsiqelagh (1 Ch 12:1,20); usually in the Septuagint Sekelak, or Sikelag): A town assigned (Josh 19:5; 1 Ch 4:30) to Simeon, but in Josh 15:31 named, between Hornah and Mad...
    [smith] (winding), a place which possesses a special interest from its having been the residence and the private property of David. It is first mentioned in the catalogue of the towns of Judah in (Joshua 15:31) and occurs, in the sam...
    [nave] ZIKLAG A city within the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah, Josh. 15:31. Reallotted to the tribe of Simeon, Josh. 19:5. David dwells at, 1 Sam. 27:5, 6; 2 Sam. 1:1; 1 Chr. 12:1. Amalekites destroy, 1 Sam. 30. Inha...

  • Benjamin

    [ebd] son of my right hand. (1.) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel (Gen. 35:18). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place. His mother died in giving him ...
    [isbe] BENJAMIN - ben'-ja-min (binyamin, or binyamin; Beniaein, Beniamin): 1. The Patriarch: The youngest of Jacob's sons. His mother Rachel died in giving him birth. As she felt death approaching she called him Benoni, "son of my ...
    [nave] BENJAMIN 1. Son of Jacob by Rachel, Gen. 35:18, 24; 46:19. Taken into Egypt, Gen. 42-45. Prophecy concerning, Gen. 49:27. Descendants of, Gen. 46:21; Num. 26:38-41. Tribe of Census of, at Sinai, Num. 1:37; in the plain ...

  • Jeroham

    [ebd] cherished; who finds mercy. (1.) Father of Elkanah, and grandfather of the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1:1). (2.) The father of Azareel, the "captain" of the tribe of Dan (1 Chr. 27:22). (3.) 1 Chr. 12:7; a Benjamite. (4.) 2 Chr....
    [isbe] JEROHAM - je-ro'-ham (yerocham, "may he be compassionate!"): (1) An Ephraimite, the father of Elkanah, and grandfather of Samuel (1 Sam 1:1; 1 Ch 6:27,34 (Hebrew 12,19)): Jerahmeel is the name in Septuagint, Codex Vaticanus,...
    [smith] (cherished). Father of Elkanah, the father of Samuel, of the house of Kohath. (1 Samuel 1:1; 1 Chronicles 6:27,34) (B.C. before 1142.) A Benjamite, the founder of a family of Bene-Jeroham. (1 Chronicles 8:27) Probab...
    [nave] JEROHAM 1. A Levite, and grandfather of Samuel, 1 Sam. 1:1; 1 Chr. 6:27, 34. 2. A chief of the tribe of Benjamin, 1 Chr. 8:27. 3. A descendant of Benjamin, 1 Chr. 9:8. 4. A priest, and father of Adaiah, who dwelt in Jerus...

  • Jeziel

    [ebd] assembled by God, a son of Azmaveth. He was one of the Benjamite archers who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:3).
    [isbe] JEZIEL - je'-zi-el, je-zi'-el (Kethibh is yezu'el, or yezo'el; Qere yezi'el = "God gathers," perhaps): One of David's Benjamite recruits at Ziklag (1 Ch 12:3).
    [smith] (the assembly of God), a Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:3) (B.C. 1055.)
    [nave] JEZIEL, a defecting Israelite who joined David at Ziklag, 1 Chr. 12:3.

  • Jerimoth

    [ebd] heights. (1.) One of the sons of Bela (1 Chr. 7:7). (2.) 1 Chr. 24:30, a Merarite Levite. (3.) A Benjamite slinger who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:5). (4.) A Levitical musician under Heman his father (1 Chr. 25:4). (5....
    [isbe] JERIMOTH - jer'-i-moth (see JEREMOTH, (c)): (1) A Benjamite (1 Ch 7:7). (2) A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag, or perhaps a Judean (1 Ch 12:5 (Hebrew 6)). (3) In 1 Ch 24:30 = JEREMOTH, (4) (which see). (4) A Levite musi...
    [smith] (heights). Son or descendant of Bela. (1 Chronicles 7:7) He is perhaps the same as who joined David at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:5) (B.C. 1055.) A son of Beecher, (1 Chronicles 7:8) and head of a Benjamite house. Son...
    [nave] JERIMOTH Called also Jeremoth. 1. Son of Bela, 1 Chr. 7:7. 2. Son of Becher, 1 Chr. 7:8. 3. A defecting Israelite, who denounced Saul and joined David at Ziklag, 1 Chr. 12:5. 4. Son of Mushi, 1 Chr. 23:23; 24:30. 5. Son ...

  • Jediael

    [ebd] known by God. (1.) One of the sons of Benjamin, whose descendants numbered 17,200 warriors (1 Chr. 7:6, 10, 11). (2.) A Shimrite, one of David's bodyguard (1 Chr. 11:45). Probably same as in 12:20. (3.) A Korhite of the fami...
    [isbe] JEDIAEL - je-di'-a-el (yedhi`a'-el, "God makes known" (?)): (1) A "son" of Benjamin or probably of Zebulun (1 Ch 7:6,10,11). See Curtis, Chronicles, 145-49, who suggests emending the name to yachle'el, Jahleel, in agreement ...
    [smith] (known of God). A chief patriarch of the tribe of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:6,11) It is usually assumed that Jediael is the same as Ashbel, (Genesis 46:21; Numbers 26:38; 1 Chronicles 8:1) but this is not certain. Seco...
    [nave] JEDIAEL 1. Son of Benjamin, 1 Chr. 7:6, 10, 11. 2. Son of Shimri, 1 Chr. 11:45. 3. A Manassite chief, who joined David at Ziklag, 1 Chr. 12:20. 4. Son of Meshelemiah, 1 Chr. 26:2.

  • Shemariah

    [ebd] whom Jehovah guards. (1.) One who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:5). (2.) Ezra 10:32, 41.
    [isbe] SHEMARIAH - shem-a-ri'-a, she-mar'-ya (shemaryah and shemaryahu, "whom Jahveh guards"): (1) A Benjamite warrior who joined David at Ziklag (1 Ch 12:5, Codex Vaticanus Sammaraia; Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus Samari...
    [smith] (kept by Jehovah). A Benjamite warrior who came to David at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:5) (B.C. 1054.) One of the family of Harim, a lay man of Israel who put away his foreign wife in the time of Ezra. (Ezra 10:32) (B.C. 65...
    [nave] SHEMARIAH 1. One of David's mighty men, 1 Chr. 12:5. 2. Name of two Israelites who put away Gentile wives, Ezra 10:32, 41.

  • Shemaah

    [ebd] rumour, a Benjamite whose sons "came to David to Ziklag" (1 Chr. 12:3).
    [isbe] SHEMAAH - she-ma'-a, shem'-a-a (ha-shema`-ah; Codex Vaticanus Ama, Codex Alexandrinus Samaa, Lucian, Asma): A Benjamite, who was the father, according to the Massoretic Text, of Ahiezer and Joash; but according to the Septua...
    [smith] (the rumor), a Benjamite of Gibeah, and father of Ahiezer and Joash. (1 Chronicles 12:3) (B.C. before 1054.)
    [nave] SHEMAAH, father of two of David's mighty men, 1 Chr. 12:3.

  • Joelah

    [ebd] a Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:7).
    [isbe] JOELAH - jo-e'-la (yo`e'lah, perhaps = yo`elah, "may he avail!"): One of David's recruits at Ziklag (1 Ch 12:7 (Hebrew 8)); a Benjamite or perhaps a Judean (see Curtis, Chronicles, 195 f).
    [smith] (Jehovah helps), son of Jerohoam of Gedor. (1 Chronicles 12:7)
    [nave] JOELAH, son of Jeroham, 1 Chr. 12:7.

  • Adnah

    [ebd] delight. (1.) A chief of the tribe of Manasseh who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:20). (2.) A general under Jehoshaphat, chief over 300,000 men (2 Chr. 17:14).
    [isbe] ADNAH - ad'-na (`adhnach, "pleasure"; Edna): (1) A warrior of the tribe of Manasseh, who deserted Saul and joined David's forces at Ziklag (1 Ch 12:20,21) (2) An officer of high rank, perhaps the commander-in-chief of Jehosh...
    [smith] (pleasure). A Manassite who deserted from Saul and joined the fortunes of David on his road to Ziklag from the camp of the Philistines. He was captain of a thousand of his tribe, and fought at David?s side in the pursuit of ...
    [nave] ADNAH 1. One of David's captains, 1 Chr. 12:20. 2. A military chief, 2 Chr. 17:14.

  • Jahaziel

    [ebd] beheld by God. (1.) The third son of Hebron (1 Chr. 23:19). (2.) A Benjamite chief who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:4). (3.) A priest who accompanied the removal of the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 16:6). (4.) The son of Ze...
    [isbe] JAHAZIEL - ja-ha'-zi-el (yachazi'el, "God sees"): (1) In 1 Ch 12:4 (Hebrew 5), one of David's recruits at Ziklag, a Benjamite or maybe a Judean. (2) In 1 Ch 16:6, one of two priests appointed by David to sound trumpets befor...
    [smith] (whom God watches over) One of the heroes of Benjamin who joined David at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:4) (B.C. 1055.) A priest in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 16:6) A Kohathite Levite, third son of Hebron. (1 Chro...
    [nave] JAHAZIEL 1. A defecting Israelite who joined David at Ziklag, 1 Chr. 12:4. 2. A priest, 1 Chr. 16:6. 3. Son of Hebron, 1 Chr. 23:19; 24:23. 4. A Levite, and prophet, 2 Chr. 20:14. 5. A chief, or the father of a chief, am...
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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

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  • The 11 tribes wisely tried to settle this problem with the Benjamites peacefully (v. 12; cf. Josh. 22:13-20). Unfortunately the Benjamites decided to support the residents of Gibeah who were their kinsmen. They should have si...
  • The Book of Samuel covers the period of Israel's history bracketed by Samuel's conception and the end of David's reign. David turned the kingdom over to Solomon in 971 B.C.3David reigned for 40 and one-half years (2 Sam. 2:11...
  • Chronicles covers a broader period of history than any other Old Testament book. It begins with Adam and ends with Anani who lived eight generations after King Jehoiachin (1 Chron. 3:24). If we allow 25 years for each generat...
  • The central subject of 1 and 2 Chronicles is the temple of God. Someone evidently wrote these books at the end of the Babylonian exile to encourage the Israelites to reestablish Israel's national life in the Promised Land. In...
  • I. Israel's historical roots chs. 1-9A. The lineage of David chs. 1-3B. The house of Israel chs. 4-71. The family of Judah 4:1-232. The family of Simeon 4:24-433. The families of Transjordan ch. 54. The family of Levi ch. 65....
  • "Having established the remnant's genealogical link with the Davidic and priestly lines, he [the writer] focused on the groundwork of the Davidic promises. His design was to show how the kingly and priestly concerns came toge...
  • This list of great warriors reflects the greatness of David. We know something about a man or woman by the company he or she keeps. The writer identified three groups: the chiefs among David's mighty men (11:10-25), the might...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • Joshua 3:5-17The arrangement of the narrative of the passage of Jordan, which occupies Joshua 3. and Joshua 4., is remarkable, and has led to suggestions of interpolation and blending of two accounts, which are quite unnecess...
  • Joshua 4:10-24This chapter is divided into two sections. The first (from Joshua 4:5, 6 of the chapter belong to the section which deals with the preparation. General instructions had been already issued that the host was to f...
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