1 Chronicles 12

Notes on the verses

Chap. XII, Ver. 1. These mS - came to David at Ziklag.—The account of David’s residence at Ziklag, which was given to him by Achish, we have already seen, (1 Samuel 27)and xxix. and have there offered some remarks. The chief additions here met with, consist in the names of the several captains which there joined him, and the forces they brought with them.—Kept himself close.—(Heb. being yet shut up.—Sometimes, in the East, when a successful prince the preceding royal family, some of them escaped endeavoured to extirpate in the slaughter, and secured themselves in an impregnable fortress, or in a place of great secrecy; while others have been known to seek an asylum in a foreign country, from whence they have occasioned, from time to time, great anxiety, and great difficulties to the usurper of the crown.

The expression shut up, so (1 Kings 14:11) is applied to the extermination of eastern royal families ((Deuteronomy 32:36). 10. xxi. 21. (2 Kings 9:8). xiv. 26.) strictly speaking, refers to the two first of these cases; but the term may be used in a more extensive sense—for retiring into deserts, or foreign countries, preserve themselves from being slain by the men who usurp the dominions of their ancestors. Thus the term is here applied to David, though he did not shut himself up, strictly speaking, in Ziklag. It is described as a town in the country, and was probably an unwalled town; and it is certain he did not confine himself to it, but, on the contrary, was continually making excursions from thence.—Harmer.

—Bagster. s Ver. 20. Went to Ziklag.—These captains of Manasseh seem to have met David, as he was returning from the army of the Philistines to Ziklag. It is probable, that they did not bring their companies with them; yet they both assured him of future assistance, and very seasonably helped him against the Amalekites who had spoiled Ziklag.—Bagster. Ver. 23—40, relate to the army which joined him about ten years afterwards at Hebron, upon the death of Saul, of which we have a short account in the 6th chapter of the 2d Book of Samuel, where the reader will also find some expository remarks. It will be enough to insert here a few marginal notes and Ver. 23. Came to David to Hebron.—Some learned men understand this as relating to the time when David was made king over Judah, on his first coming to Hebron; but it seems wholly to refer to his being made king over all Israel, after the death of Ish-bosheth; for there was no such union, or assembly, of the several tribes, on the former occasion, as is here described.

—B. Ver. 27. Aaronites.—That is, warriors of the house of Aaron. Ver. 29. Kept the ward.—That is, had been the guards of Saul, and of his son Ish-bosheth. Ver. 32. Understanding.—That is, as the following words indicate, intelligent men who understood the signs of the times; well versed in political affairs, and knew what was proper to be done in all the exigencies of human life; and who now perceived that it was both ‘the duty and political interest of Israel to advance David to the throne.’—Bagster. Ver. 38. Perfect heart.—The meaning of this expression may be inferred from that of a double heart in ver. 33. If a double heart be expressive of insincerity or duplicity, a perfect heart, which seems to be put in opposition to it, must signify a sincere, faithful, and entire attachment.

—Bagster.