These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to Yahweh’s word. The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand eight hundred, armed for war. Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war: seven thousand one hundred. Of the children of Levi: four thousand six hundred. Jehoiada was the leader of the household of Aaron; and with him were three thousand seven hundred, and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house twenty-two captains. Of the children of Benjamin, Saul’s relatives: three thousand, for until then, the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to Saul’s house. Of the children of Ephraim: twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ houses. Of the half-tribe of Manasseh: eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king. Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their command. Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, with all kinds of instruments of war: fifty thousand who could command and were not of double heart. Of Naphtali: one thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty-seven thousand. Of the Danites who could set the battle in array: twenty-eight thousand six hundred. Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array: forty thousand. On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all kinds of instruments of war for the battle: one hundred twenty thousand. All these were men of war, who could order the battle array, and came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had supplied provisions for them. Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: supplies of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.
Parallel Translations
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These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to Yahweh’s word.
The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand eight hundred, armed for war.
Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war: seven thousand one hundred.
Of the children of Levi: four thousand six hundred.
Jehoiada was the leader of the household of Aaron; and with him were three thousand seven hundred,
and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house twenty-two captains.
Of the children of Benjamin, Saul’s relatives: three thousand, for until then, the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to Saul’s house.
Of the children of Ephraim: twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ houses.
Of the half-tribe of Manasseh: eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.
Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their heads were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their command.
Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, with all kinds of instruments of war: fifty thousand who could command and were not of double heart.
Of Naphtali: one thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty-seven thousand.
Of the Danites who could set the battle in array: twenty-eight thousand six hundred.
Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array: forty thousand.
On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all kinds of instruments of war for the battle: one hundred twenty thousand.
All these were men of war, who could order the battle array, and came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had supplied provisions for them.
Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: supplies of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.
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And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.
Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father’s house twenty and two captains.
And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.
And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers.
And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.
And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.
And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand.
All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.
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(12-24) 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 the LORD.
(12-25) The children of Judah that bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.
(12-26) Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
(12-27) Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
(12-28) And Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
(12-29) and Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.
(12-30) And of the children of Benjamin, the brethren of Saul, three thousand; for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.
(12-31) And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous men in their fathers' houses.
(12-32) And of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.
(12-33) And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
(12-34) Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand; and that could order the battle array, and were not of double heart.
(12-35) And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
(12-36) And of the Danites that could set the battle in array, twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
(12-37) And of Asher, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, forty thousand.
(12-38) And on the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand.
(12-39) All these, being men of war, that could order the battle array, came with a whole heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
(12-40) And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brethren had made preparation for them.
(12-41) Moreover they that were nigh unto them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, victual of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.
Cross-references (74)
- Ephesians 5:17 (v32) Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- Esther 1:13 (v32) Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;
- Luke 12:56-57 (v32) You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time? Why…
- Proverbs 14:8 (v32) The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
- Isaiah 33:6 (v32) There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Yahweh is your treasure.
Show all 72 cross-references
- Matthew 16:3 (v32) In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of…
- Ecclesiastes 7:19 (v32) Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
- Isaiah 22:12-14 (v32) In that day, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, called to weeping, to mourning, to baldness, and to dressing in sackcloth; and behold, joy and…
- Genesis 49:14 (v32) “Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the saddlebags.
- 2 Samuel 2:3-4 (v23) David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron. The men of Judah came, and…
- 1 Chronicles 11:10 (v23) Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel,…
- 1 Samuel 25:18 (v40) Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two containers of wine, five sheep ready dressed, five seahs of parched grain,…
- Proverbs 24:5 (v32) A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
- Genesis 49:8-10 (v38) “Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you. Judah is…
- 2 Samuel 2:8-9 (v29) Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; and he made him…
- 2 Samuel 8:17 (v28) Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, Seraiah was scribe,
- 1 Chronicles 6:8 (v28) Ahitub became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz.
- Ecclesiastes 9:18 (v32) Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
- Micah 6:9 (v32) Yahweh’s voice calls to the city, and wisdom sees your name: “Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it.
- 1 Samuel 16:1 (v23) Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil,…
- 1 Kings 8:61 (v38) “Let your heart therefore be perfect with Yahweh our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as it is today.”
- 1 Chronicles 12:2 (v29) 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…
- Psalms 12:2 (v33) Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
- 1 Chronicles 12:33 (vv36, 38) Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, with all kinds of instruments of war: fifty…
- Genesis 26:30 (v39) He made them a feast, and they ate and drank.
- 1 Samuel 16:3 (v23) Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.”
- 2 Samuel 6:19 (v39) He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and…
- 2 Samuel 16:1 (v40) When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two…
- 1 Chronicles 6:53 (v28) Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.
- 1 Chronicles 27:17 (v27) of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;
- 2 Chronicles 30:12 (v38) Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by Yahweh’s word.
- Psalms 89:19-20 (v23) Then you spoke in vision to your saints, and said, “I have given strength to the warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people. I…
- Psalms 110:3 (v38) Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your…
- Proverbs 11:10 (v40) When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
- Proverbs 29:2 (v40) When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
- Ezekiel 11:19 (v38) I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a…
- 2 Samuel 5:1-3 (vv23, 38) Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. In times past, when…
- Genesis 6:4 (v30) The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them.…
- Genesis 31:23 (v29) He took his relatives with him, and pursued him seven days’ journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.
- Genesis 31:54 (v39) Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night in the mountain.
- Deuteronomy 3:12-16 (v37) This land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with its…
- Joshua 13:7-32 (v37) Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.” With him the Reubenites and the…
- Joshua 14:3 (v37) For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Jordan; but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among…
- Joshua 17:1-18 (v31) This was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of…
- Joshua 22:1-10 (v37) Then Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and said to them, “You have kept all that Moses the servant…
- 1 Samuel 16:12-13 (v23) He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”…
- 2 Samuel 3:18 (v23) Now then do it; for Yahweh has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of…
- 2 Samuel 17:27-29 (v40) When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and…
- 2 Samuel 19:42 (v39) All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter?…
- 1 Kings 1:8 (v28) But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with…
- 1 Kings 1:40 (v40) All the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound.
- 1 Kings 2:35 (v28) The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army; and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.
- 1 Kings 11:4 (v38) When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as the heart of…
- 2 Kings 11:4 (v27) In the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into…
- 2 Kings 11:9 (v27) The captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they each took his men, those who were to come in…
- 2 Kings 11:20 (v40) So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king’s house.
- 2 Kings 20:3 (v38) “Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your…
- 2 Kings 25:18 (v27) The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold;
- 1 Chronicles 5:1-10 (v37) The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given…
- 1 Chronicles 6:49-57 (v27) But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to…
- 1 Chronicles 9:20 (v27) Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, and Yahweh was with him.
- 1 Chronicles 10:14–11:3 (v23) and didn’t inquire of Yahweh. Therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. Then all Israel gathered…
- 1 Chronicles 12:17-18 (v38) David went out to meet them, and answered them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you…
- Psalms 2:6 (v23) “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
- Psalms 101:2 (v38) I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart.
- Jeremiah 23:5-6 (v40) “Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will…
- Ezekiel 44:15 (v28) “ ‘ “But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who performed the duty of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me,…
- Joel 2:7 (v36) They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like warriors. They each march in his line, and they don’t swerve off course.
- Luke 19:37-38 (v40) As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God…
- John 1:47 (v33) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
- Revelation 19:5-7 (v40) A voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!” I heard…
- Numbers 32:33-42 (v37) Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the…
72 distinct cross-references across this passage (74 total citations).
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Explain this passage (20 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv24, 27, 29, 32, 33, 38, 39 Or, buckler.
Or, buckler.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 38, 40 1Ch 12:23 And these [are] the numbers of the…
1Ch 12:23 And these [are] the numbers of the bands [that were] ready armed to the war, [and] came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
Ver. 23. And came to David to Hebron.] Seven years after Saul’s death. They should have come sooner; but better late than never. Nunquam sero, si serio.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 38, 40 Whereby he had settled the crown upon David after…
Whereby he had settled the crown upon David after Saul’s death.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v23 We have here an account of those who were…
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 (Ch1 11:1, and before Sa2 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, Ch1 12:23. We may observe here,
I. That those tribes that lived nearest brought the fewest - Judah but 6800 (Ch1 12:24), Simeon but 7100 (Ch1 12:25); 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.
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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, Ch1 12:26-28.
III. Even some of the kindred of Saul came over to David (Ch1 12:29), 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 (Ch1 12:25, Ch1 12:28, Ch1 12:30), of others that they were expert in war (Ch1 12:35, Ch1 12:36), and of them all that they could keep rank, Ch1 12:38. 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 (Ch1 12:24, Ch1 12:33, Ch1 12:37), 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 (Ch1 12:38), and particularly of the men of Zebulun that they were not of double heart, Ch1 12:33. They were, in this matter, Israelites indeed, in whom was no guile. And this was their perfection, that they were of one heart, Ch1 12:38. 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, Ch1 12:39, Ch1 12:40. 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, Ecc 10:19) upon this occasion, for there was joy in Israel, Ch1 12:40. 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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On v23 Moreover, they that were nigh,.... To Hebron, or bordered…
Moreover, they that were nigh,.... To Hebron, or bordered on the tribe of Judah:
even unto Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali; as far as to those tribes, and including them:
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brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules; all which were creatures used to carry burdens:
and on oxen; who, though commonly employed in ploughing, yet, on this occasion, might be made use of either in drawing wagons laden with provisions, such as follow, or in carrying loads on their backs; though, as Tully (g) observes, their backs show they were not formed to receive and carry burdens:
and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly, that is, food made of flour, pastries, besides bread, before mentioned, with dried figs, pressed and made into cakes, and clusters of grapes dried, and of liquids, wine and oil, which make cheerful, and beef and mutton in great plenty:
for there was joy in Israel; that their civil wars were ended; that they were united into one kingdom again; and had a king over them according to their hearts' desire, the darling of the people, of whom they had raised expectations; being a valiant, prudent, and good man, who studied the good both of church and state, and, above all, was one of God's choosing, appointing, and anointing: greater joy there will be, when David's son and antitype, Zion's King, reigns, when he shall be King over all the earth, and there will be one Lord, and his name one, Psa 97:1.
(g) De Natura Deorum, l. 2. prope finem.
Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 13
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv24, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33 Six thousand, &c. - Who came hither in the…
Six thousand, &c. - Who came hither in the name of their brethren; for that whole tribe stuck to David.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv23, 27, 32, 39 Verse 23. And came to David to Hebron] That…
Verse 23. And came to David to Hebron] That is, after the death of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son. See 2Sa 4:5.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv23, 27, 31, 32, 33, 40 1Ch 12:23-24. According to the word of the Lord…
1Ch 12:23-24. According to the word of the Lord — Whereby he had settled the crown on David after Saul’s death. Six thousand, &c. — Who came hither in the name of their brethren: for that whole tribe adhered to David.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv23, 29, 32, 33 Rather, “These are the numbers of the men, ready…
Rather, “These are the numbers of the men, ready equipped for the host, that came to David, etc.”
In the list which follows such points as
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(1) The large mumber sent by the trans-Jordanic tribes;
(2) The large numbers from Zebulon, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan, all tribes somewhat remote, and generally speaking 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; throw some doubt upon the numbers, which may be suspected of having in some instances undergone corruption.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 40 Joiada had the post of Eleazar over the Levites,…
Joiada had the post of Eleazar over the Levites, (Numbers iii. 32.) and was at the head of the warriors of his tribe, while Abiathar was high priest. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv23, 27, 29, 32, 33, 38, 39 THE ARMIES THAT CAME TO HIM AT HEBRON. (1Ch.…
THE ARMIES THAT CAME TO HIM AT HEBRON. (1Ch. 12:23-40)
these are the numbers of the bands . . . that came to David to Hebron--after the death of Ish-bosheth (see on Sa2 5:1).
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to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord-- (Ch1 10:14; Ch1 11:3, Ch1 11:10). The account commences with the southern tribes, Levi being associated with Judah and Simeon, as the great majority of the leading men in this tribe resided in Judah; and, after recounting the representatives of the northern tribes, it concludes with those on the east of Jordan.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40 LIST OF WARRIORS WHO MADE DAVID KING OF ALL…
LIST OF WARRIORS WHO MADE DAVID KING OF ALL ISRAEL, 1Ch_12:23-40.
This list is a most interesting and important document in the annals of David. It indicates the proportion of sympathy and help (the number of votes, so to speak) he received from the various tribes at the time referred to in 1Ch_11:1-3, when “all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron,” to transfer to his hands the kingdom of Saul. Bertheau thinks that we have here only an extract from a complete list which contained the names and number of the chiefs, and also the number of warriors. This, however, is uncertain. The list may, indeed, have undergone some corruption, but it contains so many evidences of genuineness that we may well regard it as in the main a faithful copy.
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23. The numbers of the bands — Literally, the numbers of the heads. This the Septuagint and Vulgate take in the sense of the number of chiefs, or captains; but as the following list is devoted chiefly to the numbers of the warriors, it is better to understand the word (ראשׂי) as our translators have rendered it, bands, or companies, as it is rendered in Jdg_7:16; Jdg_7:20; Jdg_9:34; 1Sa_11:11.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 23–40 (cp. 2Sa_5:1). The Forces which came to Hebron…
23–40 (cp. 2Sa_5:1). The Forces which came to Hebron to make David King
23. of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came] R.V. of the heads of them that were armet for war, which came (“heads” = “persons”).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv23–40 II. THE NUMBER OF THE WARRIORS WHO MADE DAVID…
II. THE NUMBER OF THE WARRIORS WHO MADE DAVID KING IN HEBRON AFTER SAUL’S DEATH (1Ch_12:23-40).
(23) And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war.—Literally, And these are the numbers of the heads of the equipped for warfare. “Heads” may mean (1) polls, or individuals, as in Jdg_5:30, though “skull” (gulgôleth) is more usual in this sense; or (2) it may mean “totals,” “bands,” as in Jdg_7:16. The latter seems preferable here. The Vulg. and LXX. render “chiefs of the army”; but no chiefs are named in the list, except those of the Aaronites (1Ch_12:27-28); and we cannot suppose, on the strength of a single ambiguous term in the heading, that the character of the entire list has been altered by the chronicler. The Syriac version omits the whole verse.
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And came to David.—“And” is wanting in the Heb. “They came to David at Hebron,” &c., is a parenthesis, unless the relative has fallen out.
To turn the kingdom.—Literally, to bring it round out of the direct line of natural heredity (1Ch_10:14).
According to the word.—Literally, mouth (1Ch_11:3; 1Ch_11:10). What Jehovah had spoken by Samuel was virtually the word of his own mouth.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40 The bands; rather, the chief men, or captains, by…
The bands; rather, the chief men, or captains, by one or the other of which words this same term has been several times hitherto rendered in the immediate context (yet see Jud_1:9:37, 44, and 5:30 for yet a third signification). There follow (vers. 24-37) the numbers of each tribe (the full thirteen being enumerated) who "came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel." The large numbers of some of the joyful pilgrims to Hebron, as for instance of the trans-Jordanic tribes, the very small number that came of the tribe of Judah (in fact, lowest but one, i.e. Benjamin, and yet nearest home), and of some others, help to invest with doubt the numerals of this passage, although it is not at all difficult to suggest some very passable explanations of these phenomena. This doubt is not lessened by the total, which, according to this list, must make a figure between three hundred and forty thousand and three hundred and fifty thousand men. To the host have to be added, as we are expressly told, the "asses, camels, mules, and oxen," which carried the "bread, meat, meal, cakes of figs and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance," for the consumption of the host during their "three days" "stay "with David," and their journeys to and fro. In the presence of such numbers, and the celebration of such an occasion, Hebron must indeed have beheld the reflection of its own probable meaning, of the "fellowship" or "community" of society. To turn the kingdom of Saul to him. (so 1Ch_10:14) The phrase is not a common one. According to the word of the Lord (so 1Ch_11:3; 1Sa_16:1, 1Sa_16:12, 1Sa_16:13)
Vers. 23-31, 33-40.
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Joy in (the) Israel (of God).
A right joyous scene was that described in the concluding verses of this chapter, Never, probably, in the three and thirty years of his subsequent life did David sit down to his table in the royal palace at Jerusalem with so much gladness of heart as he did this day at Hebron. Never, probably, did the thousands of Israel gather at such a jubilant assembly as when they met "to make David king," and were with him "three days eating and drinking" (vers. 38, 39). The event justified their joy. They had every promise of national peace, prosperity, security. They were on the eve of a new era, in which their race would take a position and enjoy a heritage to which it had long looked forward, which had been long delayed, but which should now meet and crown their brightest hopes. They had four elements of strength; four sources, therefore, of satisfaction.
1. Large numbers. (Vers. 24-37.) "Six thousand eight hundred; seven thousand one hundred," etc. in all more than three hundred and thirty thousand.
2. Discipline and equipment. The bands were "ready armed" (vers. 23, 24, 37, 38); many were "mighty men of valour" (ver. 30); many were "expert in war" (vers. 33, 35, 36).
3. Enthusiasm. "They were not of double heart;" they were undivided, single- minded, thorough (vers. 33, 38).
4. Wisdom. For they were doing the right thing for their country"s we] fare; they were acting "according to the word of the Lord" (ver. 23). Here was the strongest of all reasons for congratulation and joy, the surest pledge of national prosperity. That there may be "joy in the Israel of God," in the Christian Church, that there may be a sense of assured victory and of security, there need be these four elements of strength; they are all of value, though not of equal worth.
I THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS IN THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. A great multitude of men may be of very little account; a miscellaneous assembly is not an army. Nevertheless, it is better that the people of the Lord should be counted by thousands rather than by hundreds. There is more heart to praise God when the church is filled than when it is scantily attended. Many labourers are better than few in the harvest-field of Christian toil. (Mat_9:37, Mat_9:38)
II THERE IS GREATER STRENGTH IN DISCIPLINE AND CONSEQUENT PREPAREDNESS. Ten men well armed and "expert in war" will do more than ten times their number unarmed or ill armed and without knowledge of the way to strike; this is true in moral as well as in material contests, in Christian effort as well as in the "science of war." Christ has need, not only of those who, untrained, do the best they can at the moment, but of those also who, by careful discipline of mind and heart, have "bought up the opportunity," and can do well can speak nobly, can devise skilfully, can execute admirably in the day of conflict.
III THERE IS EQUAL STRENGTH IN ENTHUSIASM. Not to "have a heart and a heart" (ver. 33, margin), but to be of one undivided mind, one fixed, ardent, resolute soul; to be fired by an earnest purpose; to be eager for the work; to be inspired by an impelling, exalting devotion to the great King; this is the source of power; this will carry everything before it. And yet is there one other element of more essential moment still.
IV THE GREATEST SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND SECURITY IS IN A WISE OBEDIENCE, Everything will fail, however large the number, careful the culture, fervent the spirit, if there be not the "doing of the will of the Father who is in heaven if the commandment of Christ be disregarded. "Should it be according to his mind," it will be well; otherwise the brightest hopes will disappear in the darkness. In all our projects, methods, enterprises for the extension of his kingdom, we must proceed "according to the Word of the Lord" (ver. 23). Then will the issue be like that at Hebron on this gladsome occasion. We do not feast now as then, "three days eating and drinking," but we have, or may have, our joyous times, when the work and the will of the Lord are done, when a sense of unity and security is in the soul, and we look forward to a bright and victorious future in the service of the Son of David. C.
Vers. 23-40.
David"s mighty men: description and character.
What is the character of these followers of David? Are they mere followers? Nay, in very deed they are soldiers, warriors to the very death. They fight David"s battles. They stand in the breach, in the forefront. They "loved not their lives to the death," "warring a good warfare" in the service of him who loved them and attachment to whom has drawn them out. Mark their character: "men of valour;" "ready armed;" "expert in war;" "famous in the house of their fathers;" not double-hearted;" of "one heart;" of "perfect heart;" men who could "keep rank;" who could use "all instruments of war;" who "could use both hands;" who were "swift as roes; "who had "faces like lions;" and "men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." Blessed and noble warriors gathered round the exiled David! No wonder it is called "a great host, like the host of God. " It is such the true David seeks now. These are the men who do honour to our exiled "King of kings and Lord of lords." These are they who shall reign in glory with him ere long. They are men who sit not down at ease because they are just saved from hell. They do not make salvation from everlasting death their end, but their beginning their motive, their power, their strength for the fight. They know what the Spirit meant when he said, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne." Thank God, we have such men in the Church now, though very few. Reader, are you one of them? Oh, rest not satisfied with being just saved! Aim at these features. Be not of "double heart." Aim at "one-heartedness at a perfect heart. Be "ready armed." Be able to "keep rank," to walkwith those who walk with God. Use "both hands every affection, every desire, every aim, every pound. Let everything, little and great, in your hourly history be consecrated to God. Have a "face like a lion" against all evil, and stand up for Christ. Be as "swift as a roe" for everything that concerns your Saviour"s glory and the blessing of others. "Run swiftly" the race set before you, "looking unto Jesus." And ask God that, when the Church is trembling, and truth is failing, and hearts on all sides are quaking, and the true Israel of God knoweth not what to do, you may have "understanding of the times, to know what you ought to do. W. Vers. 23-40.
The hearts of all men are in God"s hands.
When the proper time came for the promise made to David to be fulfilled, no efforts were needed to secure the throne. One difficulty after another faded away. One section after another of the people came to offer their allegiance. And the signs of God"s gracious moving of men"s hearts towards David in due time were seen, in the devotion of themselves and their wealth and property to his service. The men of might came, and offered him their weapons, their skill, and their lives. The men of understanding came, and offered him their counsel and powers of rule and magistracy. The men of wealth came, and offered abundant provisions for the host thus gathering round David (ver. 40). Compare the consecration of property in the early Pentecostal days. Often in life we are made to feel that the circumstances of life are in God"s hands, and we recognize his wonder-working in the removal of our difficulties and the opening of our path; but even when we seem to be hindered by the action of our fellowmen, we do not see that their hearts are in God"s hands, and that, in answer to our prayer and in fulfilment of his purposes, he can move men"s feelings and sway them as he may please. Yet this is the fuller and truer view of life; until we can worthily realize this we do not truly say, "Our times are in thy hands." "He maketh the wrath of man praise him, and the remainder of wrath he can restrain.
I A MAN"S HEART CONTROLS HIS USE OF HIS THINGS. TO the Divine view, "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." By the term "heart" is included a man"s plans, purposes, and feelings. It may stand for his disposition. Then illustrate how all conduct, relations, and uses of property, etc., are toned by the heart of the covetous, the selfish, the prejudiced, the envious, the suspicious, or the unforgiving man. It is hopeless work to try and change the fixed habits of any man"s life. Our hope lies in change of heart, and that will ensure the needed change in the outward relations. Therefore our Lord proposes, in his redemptive work, to recover and set fight the very heart of men. His law is thus expressed: "Ye must be born again.
II A MAN"S HEART IS OPEN TO DIVINE INFLUENCES. We often feel how difficult it is, as we say, to get at a man. Do what we will, we seem to be outride him. Now, the heart is just the sphere that is always open to Divine influence. It may please God to withdraw and hold himself aloof from a man; but if he pleases to enter, no man can shut his heart"s door against him. He may enter for conviction and for judgment, as well as for persuasion and guidance. If men"s attitude towards us is a cause of trouble, we may be comforted by the assurance that the Master of all human hearts, who is our God, permits it only as long as he pleases, and will change it when he thinks best. With this assurance, no wrong-doing of our fellow-men need unduly distress us.
III A MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS DEALING WITH GOD"S INWARD LEADINGS. This, indeed, is his deepest responsibility. He has an inward voice; he is hound to heed it above all. He has Divine impulses; does he crush them or follow them? Heart-hardening chiefly comes in one way, by resisting the Divine lead; or, in New Testament phraseology, "quenching the Spirit;" "resisting the Holy ("host." Divine impulses may be
(1) resisted;
(2) covered over with self-interests;
(3) neglected; or
(4) watched for; and
(5) followed.
IV HEART-IMPULSES, DULY FOLLOWED, FIND EXPRESSION IN CONDUCT; as all these men came, bringing themselves and all they had to David, when they were under Divine constrainings. So we shall be ready to give self and wealth to all holy uses, if we are inwardly moved of God. Illustrate from the Lord Jesus: "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." St. Paul"s "The love of Christ constraineth us." Learn what is the sphere of our prayer for others viz, that God would move their hearts; and what is our hope in doing Christian work, it is "touched hearts. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv29, 32, 33, 38 Until it was a great host.
1Ch_12:29
Until it was a great host.
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The accumulation of power
It seems quite possible in the presence of this incident to find an easy statement of the law of the accumulation of power. The law may be stated thus: Persistent action in one direction brings, after a time, surprisingly added power for further action in that direction. Consider this--
1. In the accumulation of property.
2. As to the formation of habits.
3. As to increase in intellectual force.
4. As to advancing power in the spiritual life.
Lessons:
1. Be careful of the day. Day by day, because he day by day had been the man he was, they gathered to David. Especially towards the accumulation of any sort of power do not lose time in youth.
2. Have courage. Front towards such right accumulation of power, and this great law of its accumulation is steadily working for you.
3. This great law works as steadily the other way; e.g., King Saul, fronting and choosing wrong, was losing righteous power day by day, until at last he came to the sad wreck he made. (Wayland Hoyt, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v33 1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles
DRILL AND ENTHUSIASM
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1Ch 12:33.
These words come from the muster-roll of the hastily raised army that brought David up to Hebron and made him King. The catalogue abounds in brief characterisations of the qualities of each tribe’s contingent. For example, Issachar had ‘understanding of the times.’ Our text is spoken of the warriors of Zebulon, who had left their hills and their flocks in the far north, and poured down from their seats by the blue waters of Tiberias to gather round their king. They were not only like their brethren expert in war and fully equipped, but they had some measure of discipline too, a rare thing in the days when there were no standing armies. They ‘could keep rank,’ could march together, had been drilled to some unanimity of step and action, could work and fight together, were an army, not a crowd, and not only so, but also ‘they were not of double heart.’ Each man, and the whole body, had a brave single resolve; they had one spirit animating the whole, and that was to make David king, an enthusiastic loyalty which made them brave, and a discipline which kept the courage from running to waste.
I take, then, this text as bringing before us two very important characteristics which ought to be found in every Christian church, and without which no real prosperity and growth is possible. These two may be put very briefly: organisation and enthusiastic devotion. These are both important, but in very different degrees. Organisation without valour is in a worse plight than valour without organisation. The one is fundamental, the other secondary. The one is the true cause, so far as men are concerned, of victory, the other is but the instrument by which the cause works. There have been many victories won by undisciplined valour, but disciplined cowardice and apathy come to no good.
These two have been separated and made antagonistic, and churches are to be found which glory in the one, and others in the other. Some have gone in for order, and are like butterflies in a cabinet all ticketed and displayed in place, but a pin is run through their bodies and they are dead; and others have prided themselves on unfettered freedom, and been not an army, but a mob. The true relation, of course, is that life should shape and inform organisation, and organisation should preserve, manifest and obey life. There must be body to hold spirit, there must be spirit to keep body from rotting.
I. Organisation.
This is not the strong point of Nonconformist churches. We pride ourselves on our individualism, and that is all very well. We believe in direct access of each soul to Christ, that men must come to Him one by one, that religion is purely a personal matter, and the firmness with which we hold this tends to make us weak in combined action. It cannot be truthfully denied that both in the relations of our churches to one another, and in the internal organisation of these, we are and have been too loosely compacted, and have forgotten that two is more than one plus one, so that we are only helping to redress the balance a little when we insist upon the importance of organisation in our churches.
And first of all-remember the principles in subordination to which our organisation must be framed.
What are we united by? Common love and faith to Christ, or rather Christ Himself. ‘One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren.’ So there must be nothing in our organisation which is inconsistent with Christ’s supreme place among us, and with our individual obedience to Him. There are to be no ‘lords over God’s heritage’ in the Church of Christ. There are churches in which the temptation to be such affects the official chiefly, and there are others, with a different polity, in which it is chiefly a Diotrephes, who loves to have pre-eminence. Character, zeal, social station, even wealth will always confer a certain influence, and their possessors will be tempted to set up their own will or opinions as dominant in the Church. Such men are sinning against the very bond of Christian union. Organisation which is bought by investing one man with authority, is too dearly purchased at the cost of individual development on the individual’s own lines. A row of clipped yew-trees is not an inspiring sight.
And yet again what are we organised for? Not merely for our own growth or spiritual advantage, but also, and more especially, for spreading faith in Christ and advancing His glory. All our organisation, then, is but an arrangement for doing our work, and if it hinders that, it is cumbrous and must be cut away or modified, at all hazards. Ecclesiastical martinets are still to be found, to whom drill is all-important, and who see no use in irregular valour, but they are a diminishing number, and they may be recommended to ponder the old wise saying: ‘Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.’ If the one aim is a ‘clean crib’ the best way to secure that is to keep it empty; but if a harvest is the aim, there must be cultivation, and one must accept the consequences of having a strong team to plough. The end of drill is fighting. The parade-ground and its exercising is in order that a corps may be hurled against the enemy, or may stand unmoved, like a solid breakwater against a charge which it flings off in idle spray, and the end of the Church’s organisation is that it may move en masse, without waste, against the enemy.
But a further guiding principle to shape Christian organisation is that of the Church as the body of Christ. That requires that there shall be work for every member. Christ has endowed His members with varying gifts, powers, opportunities, and has set them in diverse circumstances, that each may give his own contribution to the general stock of work. Our theory is that each man has his own proper gift from God, ‘one after this manner, and another after that.’ But what is our practice? Take any congregation of Christian people in any of our churches, and especially in the Free Churches of which I know most, and is there anything like this wide diversity of forms of service, to which each contributes? A handful of people do all the work, and the remainder are idlers. The same small section are in evidence always, and the rest are nowhere. There are but a few bits of coloured glass in a kaleidoscope, they take different patterns when the tube is turned, but they are always the same bits of glass.
There needs to be a far greater variety of forms of work for our people and more workers in the field. There are too few wheels for the quantity of water in the river, and, partly for that reason, the amount of water that runs waste over the sluice is deplorable. There is a danger in having too many spindles for the power available, but the danger in modern church organisation is exactly the other way.
Every one should have his own work. In all living creatures, differentiation of organs increases as the creature rises in the scale of being, from the simple sac which does everything up to the human body with a distinct function for every finger. It should not be possible for a lazy Christian to plead truly as his vindication that ‘no man had hired’ him. It should be the Church’s business to find work for the unemployed.
The example in our text should enforce the necessity of united work. David’s levies could keep rank. They did not let each man go at his own rate and by his own road, but kept together, shoulder to shoulder, with equal stride. They were content to co-operate and be each a part of a greater whole. That keeping rank is a difficult problem in all societies, where individual judgments, weaknesses, wills, and crotchets are at work, but it is apt to be especially difficult in Christian communities, where one may expect to find individual characteristics intensified, a luxuriant growth of personal peculiarities, an intense grip of partial aspects of the great truths and a corresponding dislike of other aspects of these, and of those whose favourite truths they are. One would do nothing to clip that growth, but still Christians who have not learned to subordinate themselves in and for united work are of little use to God or man. What does such united work require? Mainly the bridling of self, the curbing of one’s own will, not insisting on forcing one’s opinions on one’s brother, not being careful of having one’s place secured and one’s honour asserted. Without such virtues no association of man could survive for a year. If the world managed its societies as the Church manages its unity, they would collapse quickly. Indeed it is a strong presumption in favour of Christianity that the Churches have not killed it long ago. Vanity, pride, self-importance, masterfulness, pettishness get full play among us. Diotrephes has many descendants to-day. A cotton mill, even if it were a co-operative one, could not work long without going into bankruptcy, if there were no more power of working together than some Christian congregations have. A watch would be a poor timekeeper, where every wheel tried to set the pace and be a mainspring, or sulked because the hands moved on the face in sight of all men, while it had to move round and fit into its brother wheel in the dark.
Subordination is required as well as co-operation. For if there be harmonious co-operation in varying offices, there must be degrees and ranks. The differences of power and gift make degrees, and in every society there will be leaders. Of course there is no commanding authority in the Churches. Its leaders are brethren, whose most imperative highest word is, ‘We beseech you.’
Of course, too, these varieties and degrees do not mean real superiority or inferiority in the eye of God. From the highest point of view nothing is great or small, there is no higher or lower. The only measure is quality, the only gauge is motive. ‘Small service is true service while it lasts.’ He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward. But yet there are, so far as our work here is concerned, degrees and orders, and we need a hearty and ungrudging recognition of superiority wherever we find it. If the ‘brother of high degree’ needs to be exhorted to beware of arrogance and imposing his own will on his fellows, the ‘brother of low degree’ needs not less to be exhorted to beware of letting envy and self-will hiss and snarl in his heart at those who are in higher positions than himself. If the chief of all needs to be reminded that in Christ’s household preeminence means service, the lower no less needs to be reminded that in Christ’s household service means pre-eminence.
So much, then, for organisation. It is perfectly reconcilable with democracy that is not mob-ocracy. In fact, democracy needs it most. If I may venture to speak to the members of the Free Churches, with which I am best acquainted, I would take upon myself to say that there is nothing which they need more than that they should show their polity to be capable of reconciling the freest development of the individual with the most efficient organisation of the community. The object is work for Christ, the bond of their fellowship is brotherly union with Christ. Many eyes are on them to-day, and the task is in their hands of showing that they can keep rank. The most perfect discipline in war in old times was found, not amongst the subjects of Eastern despots who were not free enough to learn to submit, but amongst the republics of Greece, where men were all on a level in the city, and fell into their places in the camp, because they loved liberty enough to know the worth of discipline, and so the slaves of Xerxes were scattered before the resistless onset of the phalanx of the free. The terrible legion which moved ‘altogether when it moved at all,’ and could be launched at the foe like one javelin of steel, had for its units free men and equals. There needs freedom for organisation. There needs organisation for freedom. Let us learn the lesson. ‘God is not the author of confusion, but of order, in all churches of saints.’
II. Enthusiastic devotion.
These men came to bring David up to Hebron with one single purpose in their hearts. They had no sidelong glances to their own self-interest, they had no wavering loyalty, they had no trembling fears, so we may take their spirit as expressing generally the deepest requirements for prosperity in a church.
The foundation of all prosperity is a passion of personal attachment to Christ our King.
Christ is Christianity objective. Love to Christ is Christianity subjective. The whole stress of Christian character is laid on this. It is the mother of all grace and goodness, and in regard to the work of the Church, it is the ardour of a soul full of love to Jesus that conquers. The one thing in which all who have done much for Him have been alike in that single-hearted devotion.
But such love is the child of faith. It rests upon belief of truth, and is the response of man to God. Dwelling in the truth is the means of it. How our modern Christianity fails in this strong personal bond of familiar love!
Consider its effect on the individual.
It will give tenacity of purpose, will brace to strenuous effort, will subdue self, self-regard, self-importance, will subdue fear. It is the true anaesthetic. The soldier is unconscious of his wounds, while the glow of devotion is in his heart and the shout of the battle in his ears. It will give fertility of resource and patience.
Consider its effect on the community.
It will remove all difficulties in the way of discipline arising from vanity and self which can be subdued by no other means. That flame fuses all into one glowing mass like a stream that pours from the blast furnace. What a power a church would be which had this! It is itself victory. The men that go into battle with that one firm resolve, and care for nothing else, are sure to win. Think what one man can do who has resolved to sell his life dear!
Consider the worthlessness of discipline without this.
It is a poor mechanical accuracy. How easy to have too much machinery! How the French Revolution men swept the Austrian martinets before them! David was half-smothered in Saul’s armour. On the other hand, this fervid flame needs control to make it last and work. Spirit and law are not incompatible. Valour may be disciplined, and the combination is irresistible.
And so here, till we exchange the close array of the battlefield for the open ranks of the festal procession on the Coronation day, and lay aside the helmet for the crown, the sword for the palm, the breastplate for the robe of peace, and stand for ever before the throne, in the peaceful ranks of ‘the solemn troops and sweet societies’ of the unwavering armies of the heavens who serve Him with a perfect heart, and burn unconsumed with the ardours of an immortal and ever brightening love, let us see to it that we too are ‘men that can keep rank and are not of double heart.’
Alexander MacLaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture (1904–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v23 The Companies that Came to David at Hebron
The Companies that Came to David at Hebron
v. 23. And these are the numbers of the bands, the sums or masses of the warriors armed for military service, that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, after the seven and a half years of his rule in that capital, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord.
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v. 24. The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war, both fully equipped and properly trained.
v. 25. of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
v. 26. of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
v. 27. And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, not the high priest, but the chief of their warriors, probably the father of Benaiah, 1Ch 11:22; and with him were three thousand and seven hundred.
v. 28. And Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, 2Sa 8:17, probably the same man whom Solomon afterward made high priest, 1Ki 2:26, and of his father’s house twenty and two captains.
v. 29. And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand, for many members of this tribe were still anxious to have the crown remain in the family of Saul; for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.
v. 30. And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous throughout the house of their fathers; they were distinguished in general, in their father-houses, for their warlike bravery.
v. 31. And of the half-tribe of Manasseh, the western half, eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
v. 32. And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, eminent for their knowledge of astronomical and physical science. The heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. So the learned classes of the nation also declared in favor of David.
v. 33. of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, disciplined in keeping rank, having enjoyed more military drill than the average tribe of the nation, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank, execute all maneuvers according to military lore; they were not of double heart, they were not double-minded, but gave their undivided allegiance to David.
v. 34. And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
v. 35. And of the Danites, expert in war, twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
v. 36. And of Asher such as went forth to battle, expert in war, well acquainted with military drill, forty thousand.
v. 37. And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, fully fitted out with the usual equipment of soldiers, an hundred and twenty thousand.
v. 38. All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, their minds fully made up in favor of David, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king, the desire was unanimous.
v. 39. And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brethren had prepared for them, the festivities were distinguished by liberality and magnificence, as befitted the occasion, for some 339,000 men, with 1,222 chiefs and heads, were entertained.
v. 40. Moreover, they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, the northern parts of the country west of Jordan, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, these two fruits in the dried form, and pressed into cakes, being considered dainty additions to the average meal, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly; for there was joy in Israel. Festivities also on a large scale, if conducted in the fear of the Lord, meet with His approval, while a morbid asceticism does not please Him.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv23, 26, 29, 32, 34, 36, 38 General Information:
General Information:
This begins the list of the number of men who joined David from each tribe. (See: Numbers)
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to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him
The men making David king in place of Saul is spoken of as if they gave possession of Saul's kingdom to David. AT: "to make David king in place of Saul" (See: Metaphor)
carried out Yahweh's word
"made Yahweh's word true" or "fulfilled Yahweh's word"
6,800, armed for war
"six thousand eight hundred, armed for war" (See: Numbers)
From the Simeonites
"From Simeon" or "From the tribe of Simeon"
7,100 fighting men
"seven thousand one hundred fighting men" (See: Numbers)
translationWords
David
Hebron
kingdom
word of God
Judah
shield
spear
Simeon
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v23 12:23-40 The succession of a king was often a…
12:23-40 The succession of a king was often a contentious matter, particularly when the new king represented a different family lineage. The gathering of all twelve tribes at Hebron, including some of Saul’s relatives (12:29), to confirm David’s rule showed that the animosity of the war among different tribes following Saul’s death had been overcome (12:23-37). The Chronicler stresses the unity among the tribes with the declaration that they all, without reservation, had the single purpose of making David the king over all Israel (12:38).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.