1 Chronicles 12:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 12:16 details the continued expansion of David's support network during his period of exile from King Saul, specifically noting the arrival of loyal men from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah at his fortified stronghold. This influx of warriors, even from Saul's own tribe, underscores God's active hand in preparing David for his future kingship by gathering capable and committed individuals to his cause, demonstrating a divine shift in allegiance and the steady consolidation of power around God's chosen leader.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a comprehensive list in [1 Chronicles 12](/1_chronicles/12 "1 Chronicles 12 - David's Mighty Men") that meticulously enumerates the various warriors, leaders, and tribal contingents who joined David during his time as a fugitive from King Saul. The chapter begins by detailing men who came to David at Ziklag (verses 1-7), followed by mighty men from Gad (verses 8-15). Verse 16 then introduces the arrival of men from Benjamin and Judah, continuing the theme of a growing, diverse, and divinely orchestrated coalition. The subsequent verses (17-22) further elaborate on the spirit of these men and the daily increase in David's forces, culminating in the significant gathering at Hebron to make David king over all Israel (verses 23-40). Thus, [1 Chronicles 12:16](/1_chronicles/12-16 "1 Chronicles 12:16 - Benjamites and Judahites Join David") serves as a specific instance within this broader narrative of God preparing David for the throne by assembling a formidable and loyal army.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in Israel's history, David was a fugitive, hunted by King Saul, who had become increasingly paranoid and disobedient to God. David had sought refuge in various strongholds, including the cave of Adullam ([1 Samuel 22:1-2](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1-2 - David's Initial Gathering")), and later, with the Philistines in Ziklag ([1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - David's Sojourn in Ziklag")). The "hold" mentioned here refers to such a fortified, defensible location. Tribal loyalties were paramount in ancient Israel, making the defection of men from Benjamin, Saul's own tribe, particularly significant. It signaled a clear shift in political and spiritual allegiance, indicating that God's favor had decisively moved from Saul to David. The act of joining a fugitive leader was a high-stakes decision, demonstrating not only courage but also a discerning recognition of God's hand upon David, even in his marginalized state.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Chronicles 12:16](/1_chronicles/12-16 "1 Chronicles 12:16 - Benjamites and Judahites Join David") powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Chronicles and the broader Davidic narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Provision and Sovereignty**, showing how God actively raises up and equips His chosen leaders, providing the necessary resources and people even in challenging circumstances. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Shifting Allegiances**, particularly with the mention of men from Benjamin, Saul's tribe. This illustrates the growing recognition across Israel that God's favor had departed from Saul and rested firmly upon David, prompting individuals to align themselves with God's true anointed one. Thirdly, the verse points to the theme of **Unity and Preparation for Kingship**. The gathering of diverse tribal groups under David's leadership foreshadows the eventual [unification of all Israel under his reign](/2_samuel/5-1 "2 Samuel 5:1-3 - David Anointed King Over All Israel"), emphasizing the importance of cohesion and loyalty in establishing God's kingdom work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Benjamin (Hebrew, _Binyamin'_):** The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Its mention here is highly significant because King Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. The arrival of Benjamites to David's "hold" signifies a profound shift in loyalty, indicating that even members of the reigning king's own tribe recognized David's divine appointment and chose to align with God's unfolding plan rather than with the failing monarch. This was a bold and dangerous act of allegiance.
* **Judah (Hebrew, _Yehudah'_):** The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the tribe from which David himself hailed. While their support might seem expected, their continued and active commitment to David during his time as a fugitive was crucial. It solidified his base of support from his own people and demonstrated a sustained, unwavering loyalty that would eventually see him crowned king first over Judah, and then over all Israel.
* **Hold (Hebrew, מְצֻדָה, _metsudah'_):** This term refers to a fortress, stronghold, or a fortified place, often a natural rocky outcrop or cave system made defensible. For David, during his years as a fugitive, these "holds" were places of refuge and operational bases where he gathered his men and launched defensive or retaliatory actions. Examples include the cave of Adullam ([1 Samuel 22:1](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David Flees to Adullam")) and Ziklag ([1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - David Receives Ziklag")). The "hold" symbolizes David's precarious yet divinely protected position, a rallying point for those who believed in his destiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there came":** This opening phrase indicates a continuous, active process of individuals joining David. It suggests not a single event, but a steady stream of people, underscoring the growing momentum and divine favor surrounding David even in his exile. It implies a voluntary, intentional act of allegiance.
* **"of the children of Benjamin and Judah":** This specifies the tribal origins of the new recruits. The inclusion of Benjamin is particularly striking, as it was King Saul's tribe, signifying a direct challenge to Saul's authority and a recognition of David's rising star. Judah, David's own tribe, represents the core, unwavering support that formed the foundation of his future kingdom. The pairing highlights both the internal tribal loyalty and the unprecedented cross-tribal allegiance forming around David.
* **"to the hold unto David":** This clarifies the destination and the object of their allegiance. They came to David's fortified refuge, a place of safety and strategic operation. Their arrival "unto David" emphasizes their personal commitment to him as their chosen leader, rather than merely to a place. It signifies a transfer of loyalty from the established, but failing, monarchy to God's anointed, albeit exiled, king.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, as part of a larger list, employs **Enumeration** and **Cataloging**, a common literary technique in Chronicles to emphasize the comprehensive nature of David's support. The specific mention of "Benjamin and Judah" creates a powerful **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the contrasting loyalties and the profound shift occurring in Israel's political landscape. The "hold" itself functions as a **Symbol**, representing not just a physical refuge but also David's growing authority and the divine protection surrounding him. The arrival of these men, particularly from Saul's tribe, serves as **Foreshadowing** of David's eventual anointing as king over all Israel, demonstrating the irresistible force of God's will and the gathering of His people under His chosen leader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 12:16 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand in history, demonstrating how He prepares and equips His chosen leaders by gathering the necessary people and resources, even in the most challenging circumstances. It underscores that true leadership is ultimately God-ordained, and that allegiance to God's purposes may require shifting loyalties from human institutions to divine appointments. The willingness of men from Benjamin and Judah to join David in his "hold" speaks to the discernment of God's favor and the courage to align with His unfolding plan, even when it means rejecting the status quo. This gathering of diverse tribes foreshadows the unity God desires for His people, a unity centered on His chosen leader and His kingdom purposes.

* [1 Samuel 22:1-2](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1-2 - David's Initial Gathering at Adullam")
* [2 Samuel 5:1-3](/2_samuel/5-1 "2 Samuel 5:1-3 - David Anointed King Over All Israel")
* [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of men joining David in his stronghold, particularly those from unexpected tribes, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is actively at work, even in periods of apparent chaos or exile, faithfully preparing His instruments and gathering His people for His purposes. We are called to discern where God's hand is moving and to align ourselves with His work, even if it means stepping out of comfortable allegiances or challenging prevailing norms. Just as these warriors recognized David's divine calling and committed to him, we are invited to commit fully to Christ and His kingdom, trusting that He will provide the necessary resources and connections for His mission. This verse encourages us to embrace unity within the body of Christ, recognizing that diverse gifts and backgrounds are essential when united under a common, God-ordained vision, ultimately contributing to the building of His church and the advancement of His gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community do I need to discern God's active hand and align myself with His purposes, even if it requires a shift in my current allegiances or comfort zones?**
* **How does the willingness of these men to join David in his "hold" challenge my own commitment to Christ, especially during times of difficulty or uncertainty?**
* **What role do I play in fostering unity within the body of Christ, recognizing and valuing the diverse contributions of others who are also committed to God's chosen leader?**

### FAQ

**Why is the mention of men from Benjamin significant?**

Answer: The mention of men from the tribe of Benjamin is highly significant because Benjamin was the tribe of King Saul, who was actively seeking to kill David. Their decision to join David, a fugitive, was a direct act of disloyalty to the reigning king and a clear indication that they recognized God's favor had shifted from Saul to David. It demonstrated their discernment of God's true anointed leader and their willingness to align with His divine plan, even at great personal risk. This defection from Saul's own tribe underscored the weakening of Saul's kingdom and the growing, divinely orchestrated legitimacy of David's claim to the throne.

**What is meant by "the hold unto David"?**

Answer: "The hold" refers to a fortified place or stronghold where David and his men found refuge during his years as a fugitive from King Saul. These were often natural fortresses like caves (e.g., the [cave of Adullam](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David Flees to Adullam")) or strategically defensible locations, sometimes even in foreign territory like Ziklag, which was given to David by the Philistine king Achish ([1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - David Receives Ziklag")). These "holds" served as operational bases where David gathered his loyal followers, trained his army, and prepared for the day he would ascend to the throne. Their coming "unto David" emphasizes their personal allegiance to him as their leader, not just to a physical location.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 12:16, with its depiction of diverse individuals gathering around David in his "hold," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as men left their former allegiances and joined David, the true King of Israel, so too does Jesus call people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to Himself. He is the ultimate "hold," the secure refuge and spiritual stronghold for all who believe, as declared in [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress"). People are drawn to Him, leaving behind the "Sauls" of this world—the failing systems, false securities, and empty promises—to align with the true and eternal King. The gathering of Benjamites and Judahites foreshadows the church, a diverse body of believers, united under Christ's headship, transcending all earthly divisions ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Male or Female in Christ")). Just as David's followers prepared him for his earthly reign, so the church, the body of Christ, is being built up by the Spirit, preparing for the full manifestation of His eternal kingdom ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets")). Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and all who come to Him find true unity, purpose, and eternal security in His divine stronghold.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.