Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 12
Charles Ellicott Commentary
1 Chronicles 12
Charles Ellicott 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)
To Ziklag. — A place within the territory of Judah allotted to Simeon (Joshua 19:5; 1 Chronicles 4:30). The Philistines seized it, and Achish of Gath gave it to David, whose headquarters it remained sixteen months, until the death of Saul.
While he yet kept himself close. — The Hebrew is concise and obscure, but the Authorised Version renders it accurately. David was still shut up in his stronghold, or restrained within bounds, that is, out of fear of King Saul. Or perhaps the meaning is “banished from the presence of Saul.”
Helpers of the war. — The helpers in war, allies, or companions in arms of David. They made raids against Geshur, Gezer, and Amalek (1 Samuel 27:8; compare also to 1 Chronicles 12:17; 1 Chronicles 12:21 below).
"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. 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. The chief was Ahiezer; then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah, and Jehu the Anathothite, and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite, Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite, Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites, and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor." — 1 Chronicles 12:1-7 (ASV)
Men of Benjamin and Judah who joined David at Ziklag. (Compare to 1 Samuel 27:0)
"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)
Armed with bows. —Literally, drawers of the bow (2 Chronicles 17:17).
And could use. —They were ambidextrous, with stones, and with arrows on the bow. The left-handed slingers of Benjamin were famous from long ago (Compare to Judges 20:16 and 1 Chronicles 3:15).
Of Saul’s brethren — i.e., his fellow-tribesmen.
Of Benjamin is added to make it clear that Saul’s immediate kinsmen are not intended (Compare to 1 Chronicles 12:29).
"The chief was Ahiezer; then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah, and Jehu the Anathothite," — 1 Chronicles 12:3 (ASV)
The chief was Ahiezer. — Captain of the band. Hebrew: head.
Shemaah. — Hebrew: Hashshemaah.
The Gibeathite. — From “Gibeah of Saul,” between Ramah and Anathoth (Isaiah 10:29); also called “Gibeah of Benjamin” (1 Chronicles 11:31; Judges 20:4).
Jeziel. — According to the Hebrew margin; the Hebrew text has Jezûel. (Compare Peniel and Penuel.)
Azmaveth. — Perhaps the warrior of Bahurim (1 Chronicles 11:33).
Jehu the Antothite. — From Anathoth, now Anâta (1 Chronicles 11:28).
"and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite," — 1 Chronicles 12:4 (ASV)
Ismaiah the Gibeonite. —Gibeon belonged to Benjamin (1 Chronicles 9:35), and 1 Chronicles 12:2 proves that Ismaiah was a Benjamite, not a Gibeonite in the strict sense of the term.
A mighty man among the thirty. —The “thirty” must be the famous corps (1 Chronicles 11:25). Ismaiah’s name does not occur in the catalogue, perhaps because he died before it was drawn up.
Over the thirty may mean that at one time he was captain of the band, or it may simply denote comparison—“a hero above the thirty.”
Josabad the Gederathite; of Gederah in the lowland of Judah (Joshua 15:36). Josabad is perhaps the same as Zabad ben Ahlai (1 Chronicles 11:41), one of the thirty.
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