Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Chronicles 12:23

"And these are the numbers of the heads of them that were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Jehovah." — 1 Chronicles 12:23 (ASV)

Rather, "These are the numbers of the men, equipped for war, who came to David, etc."

In the list that follows, points such as these cast doubt on the numbers, which may have been corrupted in some instances:

1. The large number sent by the trans-Jordanic tribes.
2. The large numbers from Zebulon, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan—all tribes that were somewhat remote and generally undistinguished.
3. The small size of the contingent from Judah, which is generally represented as numerically superior to every other tribe and which might have been expected to be especially zealous on behalf of its own prince and tribesman.