Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 12:26

"Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred." — 1 Chronicles 12:26 (ASV)

Of the children of Levi - Literally, Of the sons of the Levite; the article shows that the name is gentilic or tribal here, not personal. These martial Levites remind us of the priestly warriors of the crusades. That Levites might be soldiers, and in fact must have been such for the defence of the sanctuaries, is noted at 1 Chronicles 9:13; 1 Chronicles 9:19, and 2 Chronicles 23:0.