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Texts -- 1 Chronicles 12:1-32 (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 . 12:21 They helped David fight against raiding bands , for all of them were warriors and leaders in the army . 12:22 Each day men came to help David until his army became very large .
Support for David in Hebron
12:23 The following is a record of the armed warriors who came with their leaders and joined David in Hebron in order to make David king in Saul’s place, in accordance with the Lord’s decree : 12:24 From Judah came 6,800 trained warriors carrying shields and spears . 12:25 From Simeon there were 7,100 warriors . 12:26 From Levi there were 4,600 . 12:27 Jehoiada , the leader of Aaron’s descendants , brought 3,700 men with him, 12:28 along with Zadok , a young warrior , and twenty-two leaders from his family . 12:29 From Benjamin , Saul’s tribe , there were 3,000 , most of whom , up to that time , had been loyal to Saul . 12:30 From Ephraim there were 20,800 warriors , who had brought fame to their families . 12:31 From the half tribe of Manasseh there were 18,000 who had been designated by name to come and make David king . 12:32 From Issachar there were 200 leaders and all their relatives at their command – they understood the times and knew what Israel should do .

Pericope

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Bible Dictionary

  • Shield

    [ebd] used in defensive warfare, varying at different times and under different circumstances in size, form, and material (1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 1:21; 1 Kings 10:17; 1 Chr. 12:8, 24, 34; Isa. 22:6; Ezek. 39:9; Nahum 2:3). Used figur...

  • Priest

    [smith] The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct ...
    [nave] PRIEST. Before Moses Melchizedek, Gen. 14:18; Heb. 5:6, 10, 11; 6:20; 7:1-21. Jethro, Ex. 2:16. Priests in Israel before the giving of the law, Ex. 19:22, 24. Called angel, Eccl. 5:6. Mosaic Ex. 28:1-4; 29:9, 44; Num....

  • MANASSEH (2)

    [isbe] MANASSEH (2) - 1. Son of Joseph: Following the Biblical account of Manasseh (patriarch, tribe, and territory) we find that he was the eider of Joseph's two sons by Asenath, the daughter of Poti-phera, priest of On (Gen 41:51...

  • Kinsman-redeemer

    [nave] KINSMAN-REDEEMER Ruth 2:20; 3:2, 9, 12; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14; 1 Chr. 12:2, 29; 2 Chr. 28:8; 29:34; Ezra 8:17; Job 19:14; Prov. 7:4 See also Levirate Marriage.

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • JEREMIAH (1)

    [isbe] JEREMIAH (1) - jer-e-mi'-a ((a) yirmeyahu, or (b) shorter form, yirmeyah, both differently explained as "Yah establishes (so Giesebrecht), whom Yahweh casts," i.e. possibly, as Gesenius suggests, "appoints" (A. B. Davidson i...

  • Israel

    [nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...

  • 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,...

  • GAD (1)

    [isbe] GAD (1) - (gadh, "fortune"; Gad): 1. The Name: The seventh son of Jacob, whose mother was Zilpah (Gen 30:11), and whose birth was welcomed by Leah with the cry, "Fortunate!" Some have sought to connect the name with that of ...

  • 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 ...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • Buckler

    [ebd] (1.) A portable shield (2 Sam. 22:31; 1 Chr. 5:18). (2.) A shield surrounding the person; the targe or round form; used once figuratively (Ps. 91:4). (3.) A large shield protecting the whole body (Ps. 35:2; Ezek. 23:24; 26:8...

  • Bow

    [ebd] The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase (Gen. 21:20; 27:3; 48:22). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow (1 Chr. 8:40; 12:2; 2 Chr. 14:8; 17:17); so also were the Elamites (Isa. 22:6...

  • 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 ...

  • BAND

    [isbe] BAND - The English word has two generic meanings, each shading off into several specific meanings: (1) that which holds together, binds or encircles: a bond; (2) a company of men. The second sense may philologically and logi...

  • Armour

    [ebd] is employed in the English Bible to denote military equipment, both offensive and defensive. (1.) The offensive weapons were different at different periods of history. The "rod of iron" (Ps. 2:9) is supposed to mean a mace o...

  • Aaron

    [ebd] the eldest son of Amram and Jochebed, a daughter of Levi (Ex. 6:20). Some explain the name as meaning mountaineer, others mountain of strength, illuminator. He was born in Egypt three years before his brother Moses, and a nu...

Arts

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • Jacob blessed all 12 of his sons and foretold what would become of each of them and their descendants. He disqualified Reuben, Simeon, and Levi from leadership and gave that blessing to Judah. He granted the double portion to...
  • 3:1-6 Joshua may have moved the nation from Shittim to the Jordan's edge at approximately the same time he sent the spies on their mission (cf. vv. 1-2 and 1:11; 2:22). However the sequence of events was probably as it appear...
  • 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...
  • The scene continues to be on earth.7:1 The phrase "after this"(Gr. meta touto) indicates that what follows is a new vision (cf. 4:1). The general chronological progression of the visions suggests that the events John saw now ...

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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