1 Chronicles 12

1 Chronicles 12:1

THese are they that came to David, &c.] 1 Samuel 27:2.

Ziklag] Ziklag was a strong city in the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:31.) but under the Philistines when these valiant men came to David, 1 Samuel 27:6.

while he yet kept himself close] Heb. being yet shut up. Or, being yet excluded from his own countrey, and from the house of God, whereof he much complaineth, Psal. 84.

mighty men] Who are mentioned in the former chapter.

1 Chronicles 12:2

armed with bowes] Bowe-men skilfull in shooting.

the right hand, &c.] The Benjamites of old, were trained up to use both hands (Judges 20:16.) thereby they had great advantage against an enemy.

in hurling stones] They were very expert in slinging stones. See Judges 20:16. Hereby David overthrew Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:49. Uzziahs men were trained up hereto, 2 Chronicles 26:14. The force of slinging stones is intimated, Job 41:28.

Sauls brethren] Not onely such as were of Sauls tribe, but also of his kinred and aliance.

1 Chronicles 12:3

Shemaah] Or, Hasmaah.

1 Chronicles 12:4

the thirty] Which out of Benjamin came to David: for though there be not full thirty named, yet might a band of full thirty come out of Benjamin to David.

1 Chronicles 12:8

the hold] Ziklag (vers. 1.) which was in the desert of Judah: or, the cave of Adullam, 1 Sam. 22. 1, 2. or some other strong place, to which David betook himself, 1 Sam. 23. 6, 19, 25, 29.

of war] Heb. of the host. Were very expert in military discipline.

faces of lions] Setled, undaunted, fierce, such as affrighted them who looked on them.

as swift, &c.] Roes are very swift running creatures: This is an hyperbolicall expression of more then ordinary swiftnesse. See 2 Samuel 2:18.

as swift as the roes upon the mountains] Heb. as the roes upon the mountains to make haste.

1 Chronicles 12:14

one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest ever a thousand] Or, one that was least could resist an hundred, and the greatest, a thousand. Deuteronomy 32:30. Joshua 23:10.

1 Chronicles 12:15

first moneth] This answereth in part to our March: so as it was then spring time: whereby their courage is the more set out, in that when the river was broadest and deepest, they would venture over to surprize the enemy, who at that time of the yeer least looked for them.

everflown] Heb. filled over.

banks] Joshua 3:15. Jerem. 12. 5.

1 Chronicles 12:16

of Benjamin] They of Benjamin came with the men of Judah, to gain the more credit, and better respect with David, and be the lesse suspected.

to the hold] See the notes v. 8.

1 Chronicles 12:17

to meet them] Heb. before them.

peaceably] Heb. for peace.

be knit] Heb. be one.

wrong] Or, violence.

rebuke it] Revenge the wrong you do to me.

1 Chronicles 12:18

the spirit came upon Amasai] Heb. the spirit clothed Amasai. So Judg. 6. 34.

the spirit] The spirit of the LORD: or, a spirit of courage, which put a kinde of life into him, and made him speak with such courage as he did.

peace, &c.] An ordinary form of salutation, 1 Samuel 25:6.

made them captains] Or, set them among the captains of his band.

1 Chronicles 12:19

they helped them not] David with his souldiers helped not the Philistines.

He will fall to his master Saul] 1 Samuel 29:4.

to the jeopardy of our heads] Heb. on our heads.

1 Chronicles 12:20

to Ziklag] From the slaughter of the Amalakites, 1 Samuel 30:26.

1 Chronicles 12:21

against the band] Or, with a band.

1 Chronicles 12:22

the host of God] An excellent and admirable host. See Genesis 23:6.

1 Chronicles 12:23

bands] Or, captains, or men. Heb. heads.

to Hebron] Chap. 11. 1.

according to the word of the Lord] See chap. 11. 10.

1 Chronicles 12:24

armed] Or, prepared.

1 Chronicles 12:27

leader of the Aaronites] The captain over such priests as are here said to come to David.

1 Chronicles 12:28

twenty and two captains] Zadok, and these captains came with the children of Levi, v. 26.

1 Chronicles 12:29

kinred] Heb. brethren, v. 2.

the greatest part of them] Heb. a multitude of them.

kept the ward, &c.] Did what they could to continue the kingdom in Sauls stock.

1 Chronicles 12:30

famous] Heb. men of names.

1 Chronicles 12:31

the half-tribe] That dwelt on Canaan-side. Of the other half tribe, see v. 37.

1 Chronicles 12:32

had understanding of the times] Prudent in observing seasons, wherein matters of moment were meetest to be done; especially for husbandry, yea, and for war too. See Esther 1. 13.

1 Chronicles 12:33

expert in warre] Or, rangers of battel, or ranged in battel.

keep rank] Or, set the battel in aray.

not of double heart] Heb. without a heart and a heart. But up-right and sincere, Psalms 12:2.

1 Chronicles 12:36

expert in war] Or, keeping their rank.

1 Chronicles 12:39

there they were] At Hebron. v. 29.

eating, &c.] Making good cheer, Job 1:18.

their brethren] Their kinsmen (v. 2, 29.) of their severall tribes.

1 Chronicles 12:40

nigh them] In kinred and alliance. Every tribe prepared provision for the captains and souldiers that went out of their own tribe. Or, they may be said to be nigh them in place and habitation, even as farre as Issachar, &c.

meat] Or, victual of meal.