Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Chronicles 12
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Chronicles 12
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Chronicles 12
"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, his helpers in war." — 1 Chronicles 12:1 (ASV)
This chapter is composed entirely of material that is new to us, as no corresponding accounts appear in Samuel. It contains four lists:
- A list of men, primarily Benjamites, who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:1–7).
- A list of Gadites who joined him when he was in a stronghold near the desert (1 Chronicles 12:8–15).
- A list of Manassites who came to him after he was dismissed by the Philistines due to their suspicion (1 Chronicles 12:19–22).
- A list of the numbers from the different tribes who gathered to make him king at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:23–40).
"They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow: they were of Saul`s brethren of Benjamin." — 1 Chronicles 12:2 (ASV)
The skill of the Benjamites as archers is noted in 1 Chronicles 8:40 and 2 Chronicles 14:8. Their proficiency in using the left hand appears in the narrative of Judges (Judges 3:15, and marginal reference), where their special excellence as slingers is also noted.
Even of Saul’s brethren (compare 1 Chronicles 12:29). Even from Saul’s own tribe, some separated themselves from his cause and threw in their lot with David.
"And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;" — 1 Chronicles 12:8 (ASV)
Into the hold to the wilderness - Rather, “into the hold toward the wilderness.” Some understand by this Ziklag, some En-gedi (1 Samuel 24:1–2); but it seems most probable that here and in 1 Chronicles 12:16 the stronghold of Adullam is intended (1 Chronicles 11:15–16).
"These of the sons of Gad were captains of the host: he that was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to a thousand." — 1 Chronicles 12:14 (ASV)
The marginal rendering is preferable. .
"These are they that went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west." — 1 Chronicles 12:15 (ASV)
For the danger of this exploit, see the marginal reference note.
This passage (1 Chronicles 12:8–15) seems to be taken verbatim from an ancient source. The poetic expressions in 1 Chronicles 12:8 and 1 Chronicles 12:14 are especially unlike the usual style of our author.
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