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. Ver. 1. _Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag._] God left not David in his low estate, but provided him a place of... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Chronicles 12:2 [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. Ver. 2. Even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.] _Mirum hoc fuit et quasi miraculum._ It is God who worketh men's... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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; Ver. 8. _There separate... [ Continue Reading ]
These [were] of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least [was] over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. Ver. 14. _One of the least was over a hundred._] Or, One that was least could resist a hundred, and the greatest a thousand. Such a one was “ παντων ανταξιος αλλων. ”... [ Continue Reading ]
These [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. Ver. 15. _These are they that went over Jordan._] To help David. Much water could not quench their love. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David._ Ver. 16. _Then came the children of Benjamin and Judah._] The Benjamites might have been suspected to have come for a mischief to David, had they not brought the men of Judah with them, to attest their integrity.... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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]. Ver. 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Then 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. Ver. 18.... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. Ver. 19. _When he came with the Phi... [ Continue Reading ]
For at [that] time day by day there came to David to help him, until [it was] a great host, like the host of God. Ver. 22. _Like the host of God,_] _i.e., _ A numerous and a notable host, such as God's is, of angels and all creatures. _Dei nimirum Maximi, maxima sunt omnia._... [ Continue Reading ]
_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._ Ver. 23. _And came to David to Hebron._] Seven years after Saul's death. They should have come sooner; but better late... [ Continue Reading ]
_The children of Judah that bare shield and spear [were] six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war._ Ver. 24. _That bare shield and year,_] _i.e., _ Weapons defensive and offensive; so must the Christian soldier. Eph 6:12-17... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred. Ver. 26. _Of the children of Levi._] Who took up arms also in some cases, as here to settle David on the throne.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains. Ver. 28. _And Zadok, a young man._] Some think that Saul, when he had slain Abimelech, made this Zadok high priest in his stead. He was of the right line, and restored thirty-three or four years after this b... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. Ver. 29. _Had kept the ward of the house of Saul._] Had done their utmost for Saul's family, and to keep the royal dignity in their tribe, obeying bef... [ Continue Reading ]
And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers. Ver. 30. _Twenty thousand and eight hundred._] This was no great number for so numerous a tribe.... [ Continue Reading ]
And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king. Ver. 31. _Which were expressed by name._] Heb., Pierced or bored through; haply in tables laid over with wax, which was the Roman way of writing their last wills.... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. Ver. 32. _That had understanding of the times._] _Noscentes scite tempora,_ _a_ such as w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of 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._ Ver. 33. _They were not of a double heart._] Heb., Without a heart and a heart; plain-hearted; _non aliud in ore promptum, aliud in pectore... [ Continue Reading ]
All 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. Ver. 38. _Were of one heart to make David king._] So were those primitive Christians, and are now the reformed... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover 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. Ver. 40. _Mo... [ Continue Reading ]