Chapter 12

1 The companies that came to David at Ziklag. 23 The armies that came to him at Hebron.

1. They that came. The information in this chapter is not found elsewhere in Scripture. Verses 1–22 contain a register of warriors who went over to David while he was a fugitive from Saul; and vs. 23–40 list the numbers from the various tribes who crowned David king at Hebron.

Ziklag. A city in southwestern Judah (see on 1 Sam. 27:6). At the time of Saul it was held by the Philistines. When David fled to the Philistines, Achish, the king of Gath, gave him Ziklag as a place of residence (1 Sam. 27:2–7).

2. The left. The Benjamites were famous for left-handed stone slinging (Judges 20:16).

8. Of the Gadites. Verses 8–15 list the Gadites who joined David while he was holding out in the wilderness.

The hold. The exact location of this stronghold is not known. Probably Adullam is meant (ch. 11:15, 16).

Swift as the roes. Compare 2 Sam. 2:18.

14. Captains of the host. That is, officers of the army.

Over an hundred. The verse may literally be translated, “One to an hundred the small one, and the large one to a thousand.” From the literal rendering some deduce the meaning that among these heroes the least was more than a match for a hundred and the greatest was equal to a thousand. However, the context seems to favor the idea that the figures simply represent the number of men placed under the respective officers.

15. The first month. Nisan (or Abib), the first month of the religious year, is approximately our late March to late April. This month came at the close of the rainy season (see Vol. II, pp. 108, 110). These heroes did not wait till summer, when the Jordan was shallow, before venturing out on their exploits, but crossed the river at the most difficult and perilous season, when it was in full flood.

16. Benjamin and Judah. Verses 16–18 mention another group that enlisted with David.

17. Peaceably. David was suspicious concerning the intentions of these Benjamites, who belonged to Saul’s tribe. He feared treachery and wished to make certain that he would not fall victim to some plot.

18. Upon Amasai. Hardened warrior though he was, Amasai could be touched by the Spirit of God. Thus moved, he expressed his deep loyalty to David and his confidence that God was with David to help and to bless.

19. Some of Manasseh. This was on the occasion of Saul’s last battle (1 Sam. 29:1–11), when David accompanied the Philistines to the battle, but was dismissed before the outbreak of hostilities.

20. Captains of the thousands. They were not ordinary soldiers, but important and influential Manassite chieftains.

21. Band of the rovers. Probably the band of Amalekite raiders who had sacked Ziklag are referred to (see 1 Sam. 30:1).

22. Day by day. After Saul’s defeat and death, increasing numbers turned to David as their leader.

Like the host of God. A figure denoting a large number. The actual numbers as given in vs. 23–40 are relatively small compared with the full strength of the nation, but the statement, however, is well justified by the contrast between this group and the handful of outlawed unfortunates (1 Sam. 22:1, 2) who followed David at the beginning of his exile.

24. Judah. The list of David’s warriors begins with Judah, the tribe of David, and the leading tribe of David’s kingdom.

25. Simeon. Simeon was a southern tribe closely related to Judah (see on Joshua 19:1).

27. The Aaronites. Aaron was the leading clan of Levi.

28. Zadok. If, as many expositors believe, this was the Zadok who was one of the high priests at the time of David (2 Sam. 8:17; 1 Kings 2:35; 4:4), his help at this time may account for his being made high priest along with Abiathar, who had previously been with David (1 Sam. 22:20–23).

29. Kindred of Saul. Benjamin, the tribe of Saul, furnished the smallest contingent of any of the tribes, which was only natural.

30. Ephraim. This is the largest number of warriors provided by any tribe thus far mentioned—more than three times the number supplied by David’s own tribe, Judah.

31. Expressed by name. That is, they had their names entered on a list. For additional examples of the use of this phrase see Num. 1:17; 1 Chron. 16:41.

32. Understanding of the times. These men of Issachar were men who had wisdom to understand the meaning of current events and who were able to provide intelligent counsel (see Esther 1:13). They evidently saw that David was the man of the hour, and that it was prudent for Israel to accept him.

33. Which could keep rank. Heb. laФador, from the verb Фadar, which may mean “to set up a battle order,” or “to gather.” The LXX renders the phrase, “to help David,” reading Фazar for Фadar. ФAdar occurs only here and in v. 38; hence it is impossible to be certain of its exact meaning. In v. 38 it is used in connection with maФarakah, which means “row,” “rank,” “battle line,” and the combination of the two words may signify, “arranged in battle line.”

37. An hundred and twenty thousand. This large total for the two and a half tribes east of the Jordan is indeed remarkable. That David should have so large a number of men in his army from the eastern tribes and have only 6,800 men from his own tribe of Judah may find explanation in the observation that David was already king over Judah and the 6,800 probably represent only the elements that had been disloyal hitherto.

38. Keep rank. See on v. 33.

One heart. The nation as a whole was united in its purpose that David should be king.

39. Eating and drinking. This was the coronation feast. Compare a similar coronation feast for Adonijah (1 Kings 1:9, 19, 25).

40. Unto Issachar. The three tribes mentioned were among the most distant tribes. The thought is that all Israel, from the nearest to the farthest tribes, united in furnishing provisions for the great gathering at David’s coronation.

Ellen G. White comments

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