1 Chronicles 12:37 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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³⁷ And on the other side ^H5676 of Jordan, ^H3383 of the Reubenites, ^H7206 and the Gadites, ^H1425 and of the half ^H2677 tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh, ^H4519 with all manner of instruments ^H3627 of war ^H6635 for the battle, ^H4421 an hundred ^H3967 and twenty ^H6242 thousand. ^H505

Cross Reference

Deuteronomy 3:12-16 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And this land, ^H776 which we possessed ^H3423 at that time, ^H6256 from Aroer, ^H6177 which is by the river ^H5158 Arnon, ^H769 and half ^H2677 mount ^H2022 Gilead, ^H1568 and the cities ^H5892 thereof, gave ^H5414 I unto the Reubenites ^H7206 and to the Gadites. ^H1425 And the rest ^H3499 of Gilead, ^H1568 and all Bashan, ^H1316 being the kingdom ^H4467 of Og, ^H5747 gave ^H5414 I unto the half ^H2677 tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh; ^H4519 all the region ^H2256 of Argob, ^H709 with all Bashan, ^H1316 which ^H1931 was called ^H7121 the land ^H776 of giants. ^H7497 Jair ^H2971 the son ^H1121 of Manasseh ^H4519 took ^H3947 all the country ^H2256 of Argob ^H709 unto the coasts ^H1366 of Geshuri ^H1651 and Maachathi; ^H4602 and called ^H7121 them after his own name, ^H8034 Bashanhavothjair, ^H1316 ^H2334 unto this day. ^H3117 And I gave ^H5414 Gilead ^H1568 unto Machir. ^H4353 And unto the Reubenites ^H7206 and unto the Gadites ^H1425 I gave ^H5414 from Gilead ^H1568 even unto the river ^H5158 Arnon ^H769 half ^H8432 the valley, ^H5158 and the border ^H1366 even unto the river ^H5158 Jabbok, ^H2999 which is the border ^H1366 of the children ^H1121 of Ammon; ^H5983

Joshua 13:7-32 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now therefore divide ^H2505 this land ^H776 for an inheritance ^H5159 unto the nine ^H8672 tribes, ^H7626 and the half ^H2677 tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh, ^H4519 With whom the Reubenites ^H7206 and the Gadites ^H1425 have received ^H3947 their inheritance, ^H5159 which Moses ^H4872 gave ^H5414 them, beyond ^H5676 Jordan ^H3383 eastward, ^H4217 even as Moses ^H4872 the servant ^H5650 of the LORD ^H3068 gave ^H5414 them; From Aroer, ^H6177 that is upon the bank ^H8193 of the river ^H5158 Arnon, ^H769 and the city ^H5892 that is in the midst ^H8432 of the river, ^H5158 and all the plain ^H4334 of Medeba ^H4311 unto Dibon; ^H1769 And all the cities ^H5892 of Sihon ^H5511 king ^H4428 of the Amorites, ^H567 which reigned ^H4427 in Heshbon, ^H2809 unto the border ^H1366 of the children ^H1121 of Ammon; ^H5983 And Gilead, ^H1568 and the border ^H1366 of the Geshurites ^H1651 and Maachathites, ^H4602 and all mount ^H2022 Hermon, ^H2768 and all Bashan ^H1316 unto Salcah; ^H5548 All the kingdom ^H4468 of Og ^H5747 in Bashan, ^H1316 which reigned ^H4427 in Ashtaroth ^H6252 and in Edrei, ^H154 who remained ^H7604 of the remnant ^H3499 of the giants: ^H7497 for these did Moses ^H4872 smite, ^H5221 and cast them out. ^H3423 Nevertheless the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 expelled ^H3423 not the Geshurites, ^H1651 nor the Maachathites: ^H4602 but the Geshurites ^H1650 and the Maachathites ^H4601 dwell ^H3427 among ^H7130 the Israelites ^H3478 until this day. ^H3117 Only unto the tribe ^H7626 of Levi ^H3878 he gave ^H5414 none inheritance; ^H5159 the sacrifices ^H801 of the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Israel ^H3478 made by fire ^H801 are their inheritance, ^H5159 as he said ^H1696 unto them. And Moses ^H4872 gave ^H5414 unto the tribe ^H4294 of the children ^H1121 of Reuben ^H7205 inheritance according to their families. ^H4940 And their coast ^H1366 was from Aroer, ^H6177 that is on the bank ^H8193 of the river ^H5158 Arnon, ^H769 and the city ^H5892 that is in the midst ^H8432 of the river, ^H5158 and all the plain ^H4334 by Medeba; ^H4311 Heshbon, ^H2809 and all her cities ^H5892 that are in the plain; ^H4334 Dibon, ^H1769 and Bamothbaal, ^H1120 and Bethbaalmeon, ^H1010 And Jahazah, ^H3096 and Kedemoth, ^H6932 and Mephaath, ^H4158 And Kirjathaim, ^H7156 and Sibmah, ^H7643 and Zarethshahar ^H6890 in the mount ^H2022 of the valley, ^H6010 And Bethpeor, ^H1047 and Ashdothpisgah, ^H798 ^H794 and Bethjeshimoth, ^H1020 And all the cities ^H5892 of the plain, ^H4334 and all the kingdom ^H4468 of Sihon ^H5511 king ^H4428 of the Amorites, ^H567 which reigned ^H4427 in Heshbon, ^H2809 whom Moses ^H4872 smote ^H5221 with the princes ^H5387 of Midian, ^H4080 Evi, ^H189 and Rekem, ^H7552 and Zur, ^H6698 and Hur, ^H2354 and Reba, ^H7254 which were dukes ^H5257 of Sihon, ^H5511 dwelling ^H3427 in the country. ^H776 Balaam ^H1109 also the son ^H1121 of Beor, ^H1160 the soothsayer, ^H7080 did the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 slay ^H2026 with the sword ^H2719 among them ^H413 that were slain ^H2491 by them. And the border ^H1366 of the children ^H1121 of Reuben ^H7205 was Jordan, ^H3383 and the border ^H1366 thereof. This was the inheritance ^H5159 of the children ^H1121 of Reuben ^H7205 after their families, ^H4940 the cities ^H5892 and the villages ^H2691 thereof. And Moses ^H4872 gave ^H5414 inheritance unto the tribe ^H4294 of Gad, ^H1410 even unto the children ^H1121 of Gad ^H1410 according to their families. ^H4940 And their coast ^H1366 was Jazer, ^H3270 and all the cities ^H5892 of Gilead, ^H1568 and half ^H2677 the land ^H776 of the children ^H1121 of Ammon, ^H5983 unto Aroer ^H6177 that is before ^H6440 Rabbah; ^H7237 And from Heshbon ^H2809 unto Ramathmizpeh, ^H7434 and Betonim; ^H993 and from Mahanaim ^H4266 unto the border ^H1366 of Debir; ^H1688 And in the valley, ^H6010 Betharam, ^H1027 and Bethnimrah, ^H1039 and Succoth, ^H5523 and Zaphon, ^H6829 the rest ^H3499 of the kingdom ^H4468 of Sihon ^H5511 king ^H4428 of Heshbon, ^H2809 Jordan ^H3383 and his border, ^H1366 even unto the edge ^H7097 of the sea ^H3220 of Chinnereth ^H3672 on the other side ^H5676 Jordan ^H3383 eastward. ^H4217 This is the inheritance ^H5159 of the children ^H1121 of Gad ^H1410 after their families, ^H4940 the cities, ^H5892 and their villages. ^H2691 And Moses ^H4872 gave ^H5414 inheritance unto the half ^H2677 tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh: ^H4519 and this was the possession of the half ^H2677 tribe ^H4294 of the children ^H1121 of Manasseh ^H4519 by their families. ^H4940 And their coast ^H1366 was from Mahanaim, ^H4266 all Bashan, ^H1316 all the kingdom ^H4468 of Og ^H5747 king ^H4428 of Bashan, ^H1316 and all the towns ^H2333 of Jair, ^H2971 which are in Bashan, ^H1316 threescore ^H8346 cities: ^H5892 And half ^H2677 Gilead, ^H1568 and Ashtaroth, ^H6252 and Edrei, ^H154 cities ^H5892 of the kingdom ^H4468 of Og ^H5747 in Bashan, ^H1316 were pertaining unto the children ^H1121 of Machir ^H4353 the son ^H1121 of Manasseh, ^H4519 even to the one half ^H2677 of the children ^H1121 of Machir ^H4353 by their families. ^H4940 These are the countries which Moses ^H4872 did distribute for inheritance ^H5157 in the plains ^H6160 of Moab, ^H4124 on the other side ^H5676 Jordan, ^H3383 by Jericho, ^H3405 eastward. ^H4217

Joshua 22:1-10 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Then Joshua ^H3091 called ^H7121 the Reubenites, ^H7206 and the Gadites, ^H1425 and the half ^H2677 tribe ^H4294 of Manasseh, ^H4519 And said ^H559 unto them, Ye have kept ^H8104 all that Moses ^H4872 the servant ^H5650 of the LORD ^H3068 commanded ^H6680 you, and have obeyed ^H8085 my voice ^H6963 in all that I commanded ^H6680 you: Ye have not left ^H5800 your brethren ^H251 these many ^H7227 days ^H3117 unto this day, ^H3117 but have kept ^H8104 the charge ^H4931 of the commandment ^H4687 of the LORD ^H3068 your God. ^H430 And now the LORD ^H3068 your God ^H430 hath given rest ^H5117 unto your brethren, ^H251 as he promised ^H1696 them: therefore now return ^H6437 ye, and get ^H3212 you unto your tents, ^H168 and unto the land ^H776 of your possession, ^H272 which Moses ^H4872 the servant ^H5650 of the LORD ^H3068 gave ^H5414 you on the other side ^H5676 Jordan. ^H3383 But take diligent ^H3966 heed ^H8104 to do ^H6213 the commandment ^H4687 and the law, ^H8451 which Moses ^H4872 the servant ^H5650 of the LORD ^H3068 charged ^H6680 you, to love ^H157 the LORD ^H3068 your God, ^H430 and to walk ^H3212 in all his ways, ^H1870 and to keep ^H8104 his commandments, ^H4687 and to cleave ^H1692 unto him, and to serve ^H5647 him with all your heart ^H3824 and with all your soul. ^H5315 So Joshua ^H3091 blessed ^H1288 them, and sent them away: ^H7971 and they went ^H3212 unto their tents. ^H168 Now to the one half ^H2677 of the tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh ^H4519 Moses ^H4872 had given ^H5414 possession in Bashan: ^H1316 but unto the other half ^H2677 thereof gave ^H5414 Joshua ^H3091 among ^H5973 their brethren ^H251 on this side ^H5676 Jordan ^H3383 westward. ^H3220 And when Joshua ^H3091 sent them away ^H7971 also unto their tents, ^H168 then he blessed ^H1288 them, And he spake ^H559 unto them, saying, ^H559 Return ^H7725 with much ^H7227 riches ^H5233 unto your tents, ^H168 and with very ^H3966 much ^H7227 cattle, ^H4735 with silver, ^H3701 and with gold, ^H2091 and with brass, ^H5178 and with iron, ^H1270 and with very ^H3966 much ^H7235 raiment: ^H8008 divide ^H2505 the spoil ^H7998 of your enemies ^H341 with your brethren. ^H251 And the children ^H1121 of Reuben ^H7205 and the children ^H1121 of Gad ^H1410 and the half ^H2677 tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh ^H4519 returned, ^H7725 and departed ^H3212 from the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 out of Shiloh, ^H7887 which is in the land ^H776 of Canaan, ^H3667 to go ^H3212 unto the country ^H776 of Gilead, ^H1568 to the land ^H776 of their possession, ^H272 whereof they were possessed, ^H270 according to the word ^H6310 of the LORD ^H3068 by the hand ^H3027 of Moses. ^H4872 And when they came ^H935 unto the borders ^H1552 of Jordan, ^H3383 that are in the land ^H776 of Canaan, ^H3667 the children ^H1121 of Reuben ^H7205 and the children ^H1121 of Gad ^H1410 and the half ^H2677 tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh ^H4519 built ^H1129 there an altar ^H4196 by Jordan, ^H3383 a great ^H1419 altar ^H4196 to see to. ^H4758

1 Chronicles 5:1-10 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now the sons ^H1121 of Reuben ^H7205 the firstborn ^H1060 of Israel, ^H3478 (for he was the firstborn; ^H1060 but, forasmuch as he defiled ^H2490 his father's ^H1 bed, ^H3326 his birthright ^H1062 was given ^H5414 unto the sons ^H1121 of Joseph ^H3130 the son ^H1121 of Israel: ^H3478 and the genealogy is not to be reckoned ^H3187 after the birthright. ^H1062 For Judah ^H3063 prevailed ^H1396 above his brethren, ^H251 and of him came the chief ruler; ^H5057 but the birthright ^H1062 was Joseph's:) ^H3130 The sons, ^H1121 I say, of Reuben ^H7205 the firstborn ^H1060 of Israel ^H3478 were, Hanoch, ^H2585 and Pallu, ^H6396 Hezron, ^H2696 and Carmi. ^H3756 The sons ^H1121 of Joel; ^H3100 Shemaiah ^H8098 his son, ^H1121 Gog ^H1463 his son, ^H1121 Shimei ^H8096 his son, ^H1121 Micah ^H4318 his son, ^H1121 Reaia ^H7211 his son, ^H1121 Baal ^H1168 his son, ^H1121 Beerah ^H880 his son, ^H1121 whom Tilgathpilneser ^H8407 king ^H4428 of Assyria ^H804 carried away ^H1540 captive: he was prince ^H5387 of the Reubenites. ^H7206 And his brethren ^H251 by their families, ^H4940 when the genealogy ^H3187 of their generations ^H8435 was reckoned, ^H3187 were the chief, ^H7218 Jeiel, ^H3273 and Zechariah, ^H2148 And Bela ^H1106 the son ^H1121 of Azaz, ^H5811 the son ^H1121 of Shema, ^H8087 the son ^H1121 of Joel, ^H3100 who dwelt ^H3427 in Aroer, ^H6177 even unto Nebo ^H5015 and Baalmeon: ^H1186 And eastward ^H4217 he inhabited ^H3427 unto the entering ^H935 in of the wilderness ^H4057 from the river ^H5104 Euphrates: ^H6578 because their cattle ^H4735 were multiplied ^H7235 in the land ^H776 of Gilead. ^H1568 And in the days ^H3117 of Saul ^H7586 they made ^H6213 war ^H4421 with the Hagarites, ^H1905 who fell ^H5307 by their hand: ^H3027 and they dwelt ^H3427 in their tents ^H168 throughout ^H6440 all the east ^H4217 land of Gilead. ^H1568

Numbers 32:33-42 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And Moses ^H4872 gave ^H5414 unto them, even to the children ^H1121 of Gad, ^H1410 and to the children ^H1121 of Reuben, ^H7205 and unto half ^H2677 the tribe ^H7626 of Manasseh ^H4519 the son ^H1121 of Joseph, ^H3130 the kingdom ^H4467 of Sihon ^H5511 king ^H4428 of the Amorites, ^H567 and the kingdom ^H4467 of Og ^H5747 king ^H4428 of Bashan, ^H1316 the land, ^H776 with the cities ^H5892 thereof in the coasts, ^H1367 even the cities ^H5892 of the country ^H776 round about. ^H5439 And the children ^H1121 of Gad ^H1410 built ^H1129 Dibon, ^H1769 and Ataroth, ^H5852 and Aroer, ^H6177 And Atroth, Shophan, ^H5855 and Jaazer, ^H3270 and Jogbehah, ^H3011 And Bethnimrah, ^H1039 and Bethharan, ^H1028 fenced ^H4013 cities: ^H5892 and folds ^H1448 for sheep. ^H6629 And the children ^H1121 of Reuben ^H7205 built ^H1129 Heshbon, ^H2809 and Elealeh, ^H500 and Kirjathaim, ^H7156 And Nebo, ^H5015 and Baalmeon, ^H1186 (their names ^H8034 being changed,) ^H4142 and Shibmah: ^H7643 and gave ^H7121 other names ^H8034 ^H8034 unto the cities ^H5892 which they builded. ^H1129 And the children ^H1121 of Machir ^H4353 the son ^H1121 of Manasseh ^H4519 went ^H3212 to Gilead, ^H1568 and took ^H3920 it, and dispossessed ^H3423 the Amorite ^H567 which was in it. And Moses ^H4872 gave ^H5414 Gilead ^H1568 unto Machir ^H4353 the son ^H1121 of Manasseh; ^H4519 and he dwelt ^H3427 therein. And Jair ^H2971 the son ^H1121 of Manasseh ^H4519 went ^H1980 and took ^H3920 the small towns ^H2333 thereof, and called ^H7121 them Havothjair. ^H2334 And Nobah ^H5025 went ^H1980 and took ^H3920 Kenath, ^H7079 and the villages ^H1323 thereof, and called ^H7121 it Nobah, ^H5025 after his own name. ^H8034

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 12 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Keil & Delitzsch Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 12

What the mighty men did towards making David king we read in the foregoing chapter. Here we are told what the many did towards it. It was not all at once, but gradually, that David ascended the throne. His kingdom was to last; and therefore, like fruits that keep longest, it ripened slowly. After he had long waited for the vacancy of the throne, it was at two steps and those above seven years distant, that he ascended it. Now we are here told,

I. What help came in to him to Ziklag, to make him king of Judah (v. 1-22).
II. What help came in to him in Hebron, to make him king over all Israel, above seven years after (v. 23-40).

1Ch 12:1-22

We have here an account of those that appeared and acted as David's friends, upon the death of Saul, to bring about the revolution. All the forces he had, while he was persecuted, was but 600 men, who served for his guards; but, when the time had come that he must begin to act offensively, Providence brought in more to his assistance. Even while he kept himself close, because of Saul (v. 1), while he did not appear, to invite or encourage his friends and well-wishers to come in to him (not foreseeing that the death of Saul was so near), God was inclining and preparing them to come over to him with seasonable succours. Those that trust God to do his work for them in his own way and time shall find his providence outdoing all their forecast and contrivance. The war was God's, and he found out helpers of the war, whose forwardness to act for the man God designed for the government is here recorded to their honour.

I. Some, even of Saul's brethren, of the tribe of Benjamin, and a-kin to him, came over to David, v. 2. What moved them to it we are not told. Probably a generous indignation at the base treatment which Saul, one of their tribe, gave him, animated them to appear the more vigorously for him, that the guilt and reproach of it might not lie upon them. These Benjamites are described to be men of great dexterity, that were trained up in shooting and slinging, and used both hands alike-ingenious active men; a few of these might do David a great deal of service. Several of the leading men of them are here named. See Jdg. 20:16.
II. Some of the tribe of Gad, though seated on the other side Jordan, had such a conviction of David's title to the government, and fitness for it, that they separated themselves from their brethren (a laudable separation it was) to go to David, though he was in the hold in the wilderness (v. 8), probably some of his strong holds in the wilderness of Engedi. They were but few, eleven in all, here named, but they added much to David's strength. Those that had hitherto come in to his assistance were most of them men of broken fortunes, distressed, discontented, and soldiers of fortune, that came to him rather for protection than to do him any service, 1 Sa. 22:2. But these Gadites were brave men, men of war, and fit for the battle, v. 8. For,
- 1. They were able-bodied men, men of incredible swiftness, not to fly from, but to fly upon, the enemy, and to pursue the scattered forces. In this they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains, so that no man could escape from them; and yet they had faces like the faces of lions, so that no man could out-fight them.
- 2. They were disciplined men, trained up to military exercises; they could handle shield and buckler, use both offensive and defensive weapons.
- 3. They were officers of the militia in their own tribe (v. 14), so that though they did not bring soldiers with them they had them at command, hundreds, thousands.
- 4. They were daring men, that could break through the greatest difficulties. Upon some expedition or other, perhaps this to David, they swam over the Jordan, when it overflowed all its banks, v. 15. Those are fit to be employed in the cause of God that can venture thus in a dependence upon the divine protection.
- 5. They were men that would go through with the business they engaged in. What enemies those were that they met with in the valleys, when they had passed Jordan, does not appear; but they put them to flight with their lion-like faces, and pursued them with matchless fury, both towards the east and towards the west; which way soever they turned, they followed their blow, and did not do their work by halves.
III. Some of Judah and Benjamin came to him, v. 16. Their leader was Amasai, whether the same with that Amasa that afterwards sided with Absalom (2 Sa. 17:25) or no does not appear. Now here we have,
- 1. David's prudent treaty with them, v. 17. He was surprised to see them, and could not but conceive some jealousy of the intentions of their coming, having been so often in danger by the treachery of the men of Ziph and the men of Keilah, who yet were all men of Judah. He might well be timorous whose life was so much struck at; he might well be suspicious who had been deceived in so many that he said, in his haste, All men are liars. No marvel that he meets these men of Judah with caution. Observe,
  - (1.) How he puts the matter to themselves, how fairly he deals with them. As they are, they shall find him; so shall all that deal with the Son of David.
    - [1.] If they be faithful and honourable, he will be their rewarder: "If you have come peaceably unto me, to help me, though you have come late and have left me exposed a great while, though you bring no great strength with you to turn the scale for me, yet I will thankfully accept your good-will, and my heart shall be knit unto you; I will love you and honour you, and do you all the kindness I can.' Affection, respect, and service, that are cordial and sincere, will find favour with a good man, as they do with a good God, though clogged with infirmities, and turning to no great account. But,
    - [2.] If they be false, and come to betray him into the hands of Saul, under colour of friendship, he leaves them to God to be their avenger, as he is, and will be, of every thing that is treacherous and perfidious. Never was man more violently run upon, and run down, than David was (except the Son of David himself), and yet he had the testimony of his conscience that there was no wrong in his hands. He meant no harm to any man, which was his rejoicing in the day of evil, and enabled him, when he feared treachery, to commit his cause to him that judges righteously. He will not be judge in his own cause, though a wise man, nor avenge himself, though a man of valour; but let the righteous God, who hath said, Vengeance is mine, do both. The God of our fathers look thereon and rebuke it.
  - (2.) In this appeal observe,
    - [1.] He calls God the God of our fathers, both his fathers and theirs. Thus he reminded them not to deal ill with him; for they were both descendants from the same patriarchs, and both dependents on the same God. Thus he encouraged himself to believe that God would right him if he should be abused; for he was the God of his fathers and therefore a blessing was entailed on him, and a God to all Israel and therefore not only a Judge to all the earth, but particularly concerned in determining controversies between contesting Israelites.
    - [2.] He does not imprecate any fearful judgement upon them, though they should deal treacherously, but very modestly refers his cause to the divine wisdom and justice: The Lord look thereon, and judge as he sees (for he sees men's hearts), and rebuke it. It becomes those that appeal to God to express themselves with great temper and moderation; for the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.
- 2. Their hearty closure with him, v. 18. Amasai was their spokesman, on whom the Spirit of the Lord came, not a spirit of prophecy, but a spirit of wisdom and resolution, according to the occasion, putting words into his mouth, unpremeditated, which were proper both to give David satisfaction and to animate those that accompanied him. Nothing could be said finer, more lively, or more pertinent to the occasion. For himself and all his associates,
  - (1.) He professed a very cordial adherence to David, and his interest, against all that opposed him, and a resolution to stand by him with the hazard of all that was dear to him: Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse. In calling him son of Jesse they reminded themselves that he was lineally descended from Nahshon and Salmon, who in their days were princes of the tribe of Judah. Saul called him so in disdain (1 Sa. 20:27; 22:7), but they looked upon it as his honour. They were convinced that God was on his side; and therefore, Thine are we, David, and on thy side. It is good, if we must side, to side with those that side with God and have God with them.
  - (2.) He wished prosperity to David and his cause, not drinking a health, but praying for peace to him and all his friends and well-wishers: "Peace, peace, be unto thee, all the good thy heart desires, and peace be to thy helpers, among whom we desire to be reckoned, that peace may be on us.'
  - (3.) He assured him of help from heaven: "For thy God helpeth thee; therefore we wish peace may be, and therefore we doubt not but peace shall be, to thee and thy helpers. God is thy God, and those that have him for their God no doubt have him for their helper in every time of need and danger.' From these expressions of Amasai we may take instruction how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus. His we must be without reservation or power of revocation. On his side we must be forward to appear and act. To his interest we must be hearty well-wishers: "Hosanna! prosperity to his gospel and kingdom;' for his God helpeth him, and will till he shall have put down all opposing rule, principality, and power.
- 3. David's cheerful acceptance of them into his interest and friendship. Charity and honour teach us to let fall our jealousies as soon as satisfaction is given us: David received them, and preferred them to be captains of the band.
IV. Some of Manasseh likewise joined with him, v. 19. Providence gave them a fair opportunity to do so when he and his men marched through their country upon this occasion. Achish took David with him when he went out to fight with Saul; but the lords of the Philistines obliged him to withdraw. We have the story, 1 Sa. 29:4, etc. In his return some great men of Manasseh, who had no heart to join with Saul against the Philistines struck in with David, and very seasonably, to help him against the band of Amelekites who plundered Ziklag; they were not many, but they were all mighty men and did David good service upon that occasion, 1 Sa. 30. See how Providence provides. David's interest grew strangely just when he had occasion to make use of it, v. 22. Auxiliary forces flocked in daily, till he had a great host. When the promise comes to the birth, leave it to God to find strength to bring forth.

1Ch 12:23-40

We have here an account of those who were active in perfecting the settlement of David upon the throne, after the death of Ishbosheth. We read (ch. 11:1, and before 2 Sa. 5:1) that all the tribes of Israel came, either themselves or by their representatives, to Hebron, to make David king; now here we have an account of the quota which every tribe brought in ready armed to the war, in case there should be any opposition, v. 23. We may observe here,

I. That those tribes that lived nearest brought the fewest-Judah but 6800 (v. 24), Simeon but 7100 (v. 25); whereas Zebulun, that lay remote, brought 50,000, Asher 40,000, and the two tribes and a half on the other side Jordan 120,000. Not as if the next adjacent tribes were cold in the cause; but they showed as much of their prudence in bringing few, since all the rest lay so near within call, as the others did of their zeal in bringing so many. The men of Judah had enough to do to entertain those that came from afar.
II. The Levites themselves, and the priests (called here the Aaronites), appeared very hearty in this cause, and were ready, if there were occasion, to fight for David, as well as pray for him, because they knew he was called of God to the government, v. 26-28.
III. Even some of the kindred of Saul came over to David (v. 29), not so many as of the other tribes, because a foolish affection for their own tribe, and a jealousy for the honour of it, kept many of them long in the sinking interest of Saul's family. Kindred should never over-rule conscience. Call no man Father to this extent, but God only.
IV. It is said of most of these that they were mighty men of valour (v. 25, 28, 30), of others that they were expert in war (v. 35, 36), and of them all that they could keep rank, v. 38. They had a great deal of martial fire, and yet were governable and subject to the rules of order-warm hearts but cool heads.
V. Some were so considerate as to bring with them arms, and all instruments for war (v. 24, 33, 37), for how could they think that David should be able to furnish them?
VI. The men of Issachar were the fewest af all, only 200, and yet as serviceable to David's interest as those that brought in the greatest numbers, these few being in effect the whole tribe. For,
- 1. They were men of great skill above any of their neighbours, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. They understood the natural times, could discern the face of the sky, were weather-wise, could advise their neighbours in the proper times for ploughing, sowing reaping, etc. Or the ceremonial times, the times appointed for the solemn feasts; therefore they are said to call the people to the mountain (Deu. 33:19), for almanacs were not then so common as now. Or, rather, the political times; they understood public affairs, the temper of the nation, and the tendencies of the present events. It is the periphrasis of statesmen that they know the times, Esth. 1:13. Those of that tribe were greatly intent on public affairs, had good intelligence from abroad and made a good use of it. They knew what Israel ought to do: from their observation and experience they learned both their own and others' duty and interest. In this critical juncture they knew Israel ought to make David king. It was not only expedient, but necessary; the present posture of affairs called for it. The men of Issachar dealt mostly in country business, and did not much intermeddle in public affairs, which gave them an opportunity of observing others and conversing with themselves. A stander-by sees sometimes more than a gamester.
- 2. They were men of great interests; for all their brethren were at their commandment. The commonality of that tribe having bowed their shoulder to bear (Gen. 49:15), the great men had them at their beck. Hence we read of the princes of Issachar, Jdg. 5:15. They knew how to rule, and the rest knew how to obey. It is happy indeed when those that should lead are intelligent and judicious, and those who are to follow are modest and obsequious.
VII. It is said of them all that they engaged in this enterprise with a perfect heart (v. 38), and particularly of the men of Zebulun that they were not of double heart, v. 33. They were, in this matter, Israelites indeed, in whom was no guile. And this was their perfection, that they were of one heart, v. 38. None had any separate interests, but all for the public good.
VIII. The men of Judah, and others of the adjacent tribes, prepared for the victualling of their respective camps when they came to Hebron, v. 39, 40. Those that were at the least pains in travelling to this convention, or congress of states, thought themselves obliged to be at so much the more charge in entertaining the rest, that there might be something of an equality. A noble feast was made (was made for laughter, Eccl. 10:19) upon this occasion, for there was joy in Israel, v. 40. And good reason; for when the righteous bear rule the city rejoices. Thus, when the throne of Christ is set up in a soul, there is, or ought to be, great joy in that soul: and provision is made for the feasting of it, not as here for two or three days, but for the whole life, nay, for eternity.

Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 1 Chronicles » Chapter 12 » Verse 37

1 Chronicles 12:37 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

Cross Reference

Deuteronomy 3:12-16 STRONG

Joshua 13:7-32 STRONG

Joshua 22:1-10 STRONG

1 Chronicles 5:1-10 STRONG

Numbers 32:33-42 STRONG

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 12

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 12 Matthew Henry Commentary

Chapter 12