1 Chronicles 12
PATVcr. 28. Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abi-ezer the Antothite. Sec there, vcr. 2G. All the rest that follow arc mentioned in that chapter of the second book of Samuel, with some difference in their names, as I have there noted. Some others also are added, being men of great note, though not equal to the abovenamed.* Particularly he relates who were the chief commanders, in the borders of the kingdom beyond Jordan, (ver. 42, &c.) This appears by the names of their country, which was beyond that river. There is a little difficulty in the thirty-eighth verse, where Joel, who is called Igal in 2 Sam. xxiii. 36. (there being nothing more common than such alterations in names), is said to be the brother of Nathan: which seems not to consist with what is said in the other place, that he was the son of Nathan. But the account of this is easy, for he might be both, if he was his adopted son, for want of children: the word son often signifying no more than a nephew, as the word brother doth one near of kin. As for the rest of the variations, Conradus Pellicanus resolves, that we need not trouble ourselves about the errors of transcribers, which we may" acknowledge, in such matters as these, without any prejndice to faith, truth, or good manners. So he concludes this chapter. Vcr. 1. JS OW these are they that came to David to Ziklag,’ while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son ofKish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers of tlie war.] This author thought fit to do those the honour of being remembered (which is omitted in the book of Samuel), who came and joined themselves to David, when he was in exile: and were afterward very assistant to him in his wars. They are said to come to him, while he kept himself close because of Saul: because they pitying David’s condition, who was forced to skulk in secret places to secure himself from Saul’s fury, designed to help v hinl, and it is likely left their habitations, and went to seek him: though they did not actually join hiin till he came to Ziklag. which bordered upon Jordan, laid hold of this opportunity, to invade and spoil the land thereabout; which moved these men to go to their relief, and God gave them a great victory over them. Where these, valleys lay, and what enemies these men encountered, is no where recorded.
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They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left. Which gave them a great advantage in war: and made them more valuable soldiers. (See Judg. xx. 1G.) J/i hurling stones, and shooting arrows out of a bow.] They were excellent slingers as well as archers. Even of SauVs brethren of Benjamin.] There was some extraordinary cause which moved some of Saul’s kindred, as well as of his tribe, to desert him, and go over to David. Either the great virtue of David attracted them, or they abhorred to see an innocent person so violently persecuted; or, perhaps, they were pious persons, who had a great regard to the words of Samuel, concerning David’s right to the kingdom. Vcr. 3. Tlie chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Slitmaah the Gibeathite, and Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Berachah, arid Jehu the Antothite.] There is mention before of Azmaveth, (chap. viii. 3G.) as descended from Micah the son of Mcphihosheth, the grandson of Saul. Vcr. 4. Andlsmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man amoiig tlie thirty, and over the thirty.] I suppose there were thirty Benjamites came over to Da, id at one time, and this was their leader. t I And Jeremiah, and Jalutziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad tlie Gederathite.
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Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemarzah, and Sliephatiah the Ilaruphite. Ver..G. Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites.. Vcr. 7. Arid Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons ofjeroham ofGedor.] These w r ere the principal persons among the thirty, mentioned vcr. 4. the rest, perhaps, were not of such notfc., Vcr. 8. And of the Gadites there separated themselves.] From their countrymen and families, which they left to follow David. Unto David, into the hold of the wilderness.] There are several holds, or inaccessible places mentioned, where David secured himself from Saul’s persecution. (See 1 Sam. xxii. 4. xxiii. 14. xxiv. 22.) But some think he still speaks of those that came to David at’ Ziklag: which may be called a hold, they think, as the city of David is, chap. xi. 7. because he fortified it. Men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler.] Under these are comprehended all weapons of war, which they could manage skilfully; being bred to it, and wanting no courage to engage any enemy. «.-, Whose faces were like the faces of li&ns, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains.] They had a fierceness in their countenances, which terrified their enemies; who durst not look them in their face, biit ran away as soon as they saw them. But they could not save themselves by flight, being pursued so swiftly by these men, that they overtook them and slew them. Bochart observes out of’Aristotle, that lions have faces more like men than any other creatures, but very stern and terrible.
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Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third. They are reckoned up thus distinctly, according to the dignity and precedence which they had in their own country; or according to the order wherein they came to David. Vcr. 10. Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth*
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Altai the sixth, Eliel the seventh* *.
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Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth.
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Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.
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These were of the sons of Gad, captains:of the host: oneofthe least was over a hundred, and thegreatest over a thousand. They did not bring a host of men with them, but they had been commanders of the army in their own country. Or, when David came to the crowTi, he thought them w r orthy to be preferred, and the lowest of them was made a centurion. Vcr. 15. These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks.] This is an instance of their fearless valour, that they ventured over Jordan in the most dangerous scaison: and perhaps swam over, when the stream was most rapid and violent, to help their brethren. (See Josh. iii. 15.) And they put to flight all them of the valleys, both towards the east and towards the west.] -When Saul was engaged to attend the motions of the Philistines, it is likely some people both of the eastern and western countries,
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And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. Besides those of Saul’s kindred beforementioned, there w r ere others of that tribe, together with some of Judah, who came to him when he was in the hold, mentioned ver. 8. which I conjectured might be Ziklag; but I rather think it was some of, the holds he was in, when he.lay in the wilderness. Vcr. 17. And David went out to meet them.’] They were so considerable, either for their, number, or quality, that David went out (attended, no doubt, with some of his men) to meet them, before they came’to the hold. And answered and said unto them.] After the first salutation which they made. him, he replied in the following words. • > If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you.] As much as to say, If you be really friends, you are welcome, and I will make a league with you. But if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look, thereon, and rebuke it.] He knew himself to be so innocent, both with respect to Saul and all other men, -whom he had no way injured, that he doubted not God would protect him, and do him right against these men, if they came with bad intentions to him. What should make him suspect there might possibly be some treachery designed, is not now to be known. Perhaps some had before this come with pretences of. great kindness to him, whom he had found to be false: which made him now more cautious whom he entertained.
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Then the spirit came vponAmasai, zvho was chief of the captains. The spirit of power, saith the Targum: that is, God powerfully moved him with an heroical boldness, and resolution, in the name of them all, to profess their fidelity to David, in such pathetical words, as convinced him they were friends. Rasi compares with this those words in Judg. vi. 34. But none hath discoursed so well upon these w r ords as Maimonides, who observes, that by the spirit in such places as this, is not to be understood a power to speak or declare any thing; but only to excite those who felt it, to do some excellent thing either for particular persons, or the* whole church. With this power Moses was endued, when he came to man’s estate, and was moved to smite the Egyptian, who injured one of his brethren. Which power did not leave him, but remained still with him when he fled into Midian. (See Exod. ii. 17.) This power exerted itself in David after he was anointed, 1 Sam. xv. 13. xvii. 34. (See More Nevoch. par. ii. cap. 45.) And he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse.] He seems to have broken out into this speech with a sudden violence, being unable to hear with patience their fidelity questioned. For the words and he said, are not in the Hebrew text; nor those are we: but only, thine David, &c. Which is a broken speech, expressing, great passion. Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers*] He most alfectionately wishes all happiness to him, and to; all that came to his assistance: which implies a desire they might not prosper, if they did not now sincerely come to his help. For thy God helpeth thee.] God they, saw was on his side, who, byhis marvellous deliverances of him, had shewn he had a special affection to him, and care of him: and therefore they believed would bless those that came to his help. - Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.] He preferred them to. considerable commands irt his army, when he came to be king: for it is not likely he w r ould set them above those, who had served him all the time of his exile; they being but new comers*
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And there fell some ofManasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle; but they helped them not. It seems they offered their service to David, when he was going with the Philistines to help them against Saul, in the last battle which he fought. This" shews a strange zeal for David, and abhorrence of Saul’s enmity to him, that they should then join their forces with him, when he took part with the Philistines^ But neither they, nor the rest of David’s men were admitted to fight in that battle. For the lords of the Philistines, upon advertisement, sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.] First kill them, and then flee to Saul and make his peace with him, at the cost of their heads. (See 1 Sam. xxix. 3, &c.)
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As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands* that were ofManasseh.] These came to him, in that nick of time, when he went from the Philistines, in his return to’ Ziklag. Which fell out very opportunely, for they being valiant men, assisted him against that band of robbers, the Amalekites, who had burnt Ziklag, and carried captive their wives and children. He had indeed only six hundred men with him in that expedition, but these were of the number, who, as it follows, did him great service in recovery of his losses.
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And they lielped David against the band of the rovers; for they were all mighty men of valour. They were not at all disheartened, when they found David in such exceeding great distress; but being most valiant captains, offered their service to him in the pursuit of his enemies. And were captains in the host.] In their own country they had been commanders of a company of men; many of which, it is likely, they brought over to David with them: or, they followed after them, as is intimated in the following wbrds.
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For at that time ^ day by day> there came to i David to help him. After the battle wherein Saul was slain, so many resorted to him every day, that his forces grew very considerable. Until it was a great host, like the host of God.] A very formidable host. Which he compares to the host of heaven (the stars or the angels), because they were numerous, and many of them illustrious persons.
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And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron. The great resort to him at Ziklag, mentioned in the fore- A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. XII, going verse, made greater. numbers flock to him, when by God’s direction he went to Hebron: and they brought their arms with them, that they might bo ready to fight for him. • To turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord.] They remembered what Samuel had said, and resolved to anoint him king, (2 Sam. ii. 4.) •Ver. 24.. Tlie children ofJudah, that bare shield and spear, were six thousand and eight hundred ready armed to the war.] In the place beforenamed we read, the men ofJudah came and anointed him king: which. signifies the whole tribe consented to it. Therefore these six thousand and eight hundred men were only the first that came, and perhaps appeared in the name of the rest…
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Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. Though David was anointed king only over the tribe of Judah (one of Saul’s posterity reigning over Israel), yet some of other tribes came and owned David for their king; particularly a great number of the tribe of Simeon, who were near neighbours, to Judah. " -.j r
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Of the children of Levi, four thousand and six hundred. Those came out of several tribes, into which they were dispersed; yet all agreed to shew their affection to David.
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AndJehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites. He was not the high-priest, for Abiathar held that place: but he was chief, as Jarchi thinks, of one of the courses of the priests; and now the chief commander of those of the’ family of Aaron, who came to invite David to take the government upon him. He w r as a man of war also, and brought these priests armed with him: for it is said, of all that came to David to Hebron, (ver. 23.) that they were ready armed for the war, in case any should oppose their design. (See Selden, de Succession, ad Pontificatum, lib. L cap. 3.) And with him were three thousand and seven hundred.] Besides those of the Levites beforenamed.
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And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father’s. house twenty-and-two captains. It is likely, he is the same person who was made high-priest in Solomon’s time, who was now very young, but had a great deal of courage; whom two-and-twenty of his family followed, who were commanders of so many companies.,
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And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand. We read of several of this tribe, and of Saul’s kindred, that came to David before this, (ver. 1, 2. 16.) but now a greater number came over to him; which shews his interest to be considerably grown among them. For hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.] But still a multitude of them (as it is in the Hebrew) adhered to the house of Saul, and endeavoured to keep the crown in that family. And, as Solomon Jarchi, and D. Kimchi, and others, understand it, the three thousand beforementioned, being of Saul’s kindred, were of that mind, looking upon his grandson as the lawful heir of the kingdom, who ought to succeed in it. But now they altered their opinion, and came to David.
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And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers. This was so great a number, that by their defection from the house of Saul, it must needs be extremely weakened; especially since they were men of such great account in that tribe.
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And of the half tribe of Ma?iasseh eighteen thousand. He speaks of those on this side Jordan, for of those beyond it on the other side he speaks afterward, (ver. 37.) Which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.] These were appointed to go in the name of the rest of their brethren, and assure David of their affection to. him; being picked (as we speak) out of the whole tribe, for this purpose. And ^some think the names of these men were set down in the public register of the kings ofJudah: from which this -author transcribed it…,
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And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times. The Targum, and many of the Jews (particularly Maimonides in Bosch Hashanah), take this to signify their skill, in computing the beginning of their years, and months, and intercalations, that it might be certainly, known when their feasts w r ere to be celebrated. Others think they were great astronomers; whence the Hebrew doctors say, that the name of this tribe was engraven in the sapphire in the high-priest’s breast-, plate, and that their banner was of a sky colour, having the figures of the sun, moon, and stars, wrought in it,, because of their skill in the motions of the heavenly bodies. Others take it to signify their skill in the weather, w T hereby they, knew the proper season for sowing, planting, reaping, and navigation. Many such-like fancies there are, which. seem impertinent to.the present business, which required men of great abilities in political affairs, who could discern what was fit to be done in the various cases of human life, and particularly what was good for the commonwealth in all turns of affairs. Thus Solomon Jarchi himself: " They knew how to advise and give counsel, according to the nature and circumstances of all cases: which sort of men David stood in great need of at this time, to consult the best means to confirm him in his kingdom." - To know what Israel ought, to do.] These words shew they w r ere men skilful in secular affairs: and now, I suppose, told the Israelites it was the proper time to think of David, and make him their king; after the Philistines had gained so great a victory over Saul, and destroyed his family. For none was so likely to quell the Philistines as he, who had so often beaten them. Tlie heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.] These two hundred were eminent persons among them; and were of such known wisdom and judgment, that they had all the rest of their tribe at their beck.
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OfZebnlun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand. This is the greatest number of any tribe that went over to David; that is, gave him assurance of their readiness to assist him to make him king of Israel. For it is not likely, that so many as are here mentioned went to Hebron, as soon as David came thither. Which could keep rank.] Men well disciplined; or, as some understand it, men that would stand their ground, and not flinch when they w r ere assaulted by their enemies. Tlieywere not of double heart.] But all sincerely affected to David, though there were so many of them. Thus some CHAP. XII.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. understand it; but others think, it rather relates to the foregoing words, that they had not a counterfeit courage, but would stand to it (as we speak) with a firm resolution, to die rather than stagger in their undertaking. For this is affirmed of them all, that they came tvith a perfect heart tinto David, (ver. 38.) and therefore needs not to be said of these in particular, there being no reason to suspect their loyalty., •
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AndofNaphtali a thousand captains, and tvith them, tvith shield and spear, thirty and seven thousand.
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And of theDanites, expert in war, twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
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And ofAsher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.
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And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and of the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand.’] Here were so many thousands of valiant men, expert in war, reckoned up in the several tribes of Israel; that Saul could not well have been overthrown in battle by the Philistines, if God had not forsaken him, and the hearts of bis people had not been alienated from him.
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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 of Israel were of one heart to make David king. After the death of Ish-boshetb (see 2 Sam. v.) all Israel, " communi consilio," with one consent, (as Maimonides explains this phrase, with one heart, More Nevochim, par. i. cap. 39.) came and joined with their brethren, who were gone over to him. And they were such a number, men of such undaunted spirits and expert in war, who crowded in to him, that the like is not to be found in any history. For, as Herodotus saitb,,in his Polyhymnia, in the army of Xerxes there were troXAoi jxlv avQpiirnoi, oXtyoi $1 av$ptg, a world of people, but few men,• that is, men of courage and conduct; with which David’s army so abounded, that every one of this vast number seems to have been fit to command in an army.
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And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking. The famous historian Dion (as Victorinus Strigeliushere observes) saith, he never saw a more splendid and pompous show than that was, when the emperor Severus entered Rome. But here was a far more noble feast, which lasted three days, for three hundred forty-eight thousand and eight hundred brave men. For their brethren had prepared for them.] They who were before actually gone over to David, and others about Hebron, hearing of such a great concourse of people, had made a preparation for their entertainment.
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Moreover, they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar, and Zebulun, andNaphtali. All the neighbouring countries brought in provisions for those who dwelt more remote: their common concernments begetting great love and kindness (as there ought always to be, especially on such occasions) for all their brethren, though never so distant from them. Brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen.] Whom they employed, in that country, in carrying burdens; for horses were very scarce among them. So Bochart observes, that they did not only ride upon mules, but some of them were a%0o(p6poi, employed in carrying burdens, as these were. Others were Ztvytrai, yoked to draw chariots, (lib. ii. Hieroz. par. i. cap. 19.) The same, he observes of oxen, that though they seem made rather for the plough, yet they made them serve for the other purpose also, of bearing burdens. And meat, meal, cakes of Jigs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly.] All sort of provisions for a great feast. For there was joy in Israel.] Their hearts were enlarged with joy to see an end of their division; by their union under such, a king; as they might reasonably hope would procure great happiness to them.