1 Chronicles 12:16

And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

And there came {H935} of the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} and Judah {H3063} to the hold {H4679} unto David {H1732}.

From the descendants of Binyamin and Y'hudah a number came to David at the fortress.

Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold.

And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold unto David.

1 Chronicles 12:16 details the continued growth of David's support base during his time as a fugitive, specifically highlighting the arrival of men from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah at his stronghold.

Context of 1 Chronicles 12:16

This verse is part of a larger account (1 Chronicles 12:1-22) that meticulously lists the various warriors and leaders who joined David. This period was crucial for David, as he was still on the run from King Saul, yet God was steadily gathering loyal and capable men to him. The passage emphasizes that these individuals were not merely defectors but mighty men, well-equipped for battle. The mention of "the hold unto David" refers to the fortified place where David was residing, which during this period was likely Ziklag, a Philistine town given to him by King Achish, serving as his operational base.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision and Support: The influx of men from various tribes, even from unexpected sources, underscores God's active hand in preparing David for his kingship. It demonstrates how God faithfully provides the necessary resources and people to fulfill His purposes.
  • Shifting Allegiances: The arrival of men from Benjamin, King Saul's own tribe, is particularly significant. It illustrates a growing recognition across Israel that God's favor had clearly shifted from Saul to David, leading individuals to align themselves with God's chosen leader rather than the current reigning monarch.
  • Unity Towards a Common Goal: This verse, and the surrounding chapter, showcases the diverse groups of people uniting under David's leadership. This foreshadows the eventual unification of all Israel under David's reign, highlighting the importance of cohesion for God's kingdom work.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hold" in this context is metsudah (מְצֻדָה), which means a fortress, stronghold, or fortified place. It conveys the idea of a secure, defensible location, which was vital for David and his men during their time of exile and pursuit by Saul. The inclusion of "children of Benjamin" is notable because Benjamin was the tribe of King Saul, making their allegiance to David a powerful statement about the shifting political and spiritual landscape.

Practical Application

1 Chronicles 12:16 reminds us that God is sovereign in raising up leaders and gathering support for His plans. Just as men were drawn to David, recognizing his divine calling, God continues to call and equip individuals for His purposes today. This verse encourages believers to discern God's will and align themselves with His work, even if it means stepping out of comfortable or familiar allegiances. It also speaks to the power of unity among diverse groups of people when they come together for a shared, God-ordained mission, trusting that God will provide the necessary resources and connections.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.

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