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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 12 verses 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 (Ch1 12:1), 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, Ch1 12:2. 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 (Ch1 12:8), 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, Sa1 22:2. But these Gadites were brave men, men of war, and fit for the battle, Ch1 12:8. 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 (Ch1 12:14), 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, Ch1 12:15. 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, Ch1 12:16. Their leader was Amasai, whether the same with that Amasa that afterwards sided with Absalom (Sa2 17:25) or no does not appear. Now here we have,
1.David's prudent treaty with them, Ch1 12:17. 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, Ch1 12:18. 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 (Sa1 20:27; Sa1 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, Sa1 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, Ch1 12:22. 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.
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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 12:2 introduces a highly skilled contingent of warriors from the tribe of Benjamin who pledged their allegiance to David while he was still an outcast, prior to his full establishment as king over all Israel. These men were distinguished by their exceptional ambidextrous proficiency in both slinging stones and shooting arrows, making them extraordinarily versatile and formidable combatants. Their decision to join David, despite their tribal kinship with the reigning King Saul, powerfully illustrates a recognition of God's anointing upon David and signifies the burgeoning divine favor surrounding his future reign.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is embedded within a comprehensive catalog of David's mighty men and the various contingents that rallied to his cause, meticulously detailed in 1 Chronicles 12. The chapter systematically lists warriors from different Israelite tribes who joined David during his period of exile and eventual ascent to the throne. Specifically, verses 1-7 describe those who came to him at Ziklag, a Philistine city where David found refuge from King Saul's relentless pursuit. The inclusion of these Benjaminite warriors immediately after the initial group and preceding the formidable Gadites (as seen in 1 Chronicles 12:8-15) highlights the growing and diverse support David was accumulating, signaling a divinely orchestrated consolidation of power around God's chosen leader. The entire chapter culminates in the momentous assembly at Hebron, where David was finally anointed king over all Israel, a pivotal event mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:23.
Historical & Cultural Context: David's time as an outcast, fleeing from the jealous King Saul, was a period marked by vulnerability, dependence on divine providence, and the gradual formation of his loyal following. He attracted a diverse group, often comprising those who were marginalized, indebted, or discontented, as described in 1 Samuel 22:2. The fact that these particular warriors were "of Saul's brethren of Benjamin" carries profound historical and cultural weight. Benjamin was Saul's own tribe, and unwavering loyalty to the reigning monarch was a deeply ingrained expectation. Their defection to David, therefore, was not merely a political act but a powerful spiritual statement, indicating a widespread recognition that God's favor had decisively shifted from Saul to David, a divine transfer of authority that Samuel had prophesied in 1 Samuel 15:28. Culturally, ambidexterity was an exceptionally rare and highly prized military skill in ancient warfare, offering significant tactical advantages, including greater flexibility in combat and the ability to surprise opponents. The tribe of Benjamin held a historical reputation for its skilled slingers, particularly those who were left-handed, a trait famously noted in Judges 20:16.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully underscores several critical themes. Firstly, it emphasizes the theme of Exceptional Skill and Divine Equipping for God's chosen leaders. The meticulous description of their ambidextrous abilities in both slinging and archery highlights their elite status and formidable combat readiness, implying that God provides the necessary human resources for His purposes. Secondly, it vividly illustrates the theme of Loyalty and Divine Appointment. Despite their inherent tribal allegiance to Saul, these Benjaminite warriors discerned and responded to God's hand upon David, demonstrating a profound willingness to shift their loyalty from a failing human king to God's divinely anointed leader. This act of allegiance transcends mere politics, reflecting a deep spiritual discernment. Finally, the passage speaks to God's Sovereign Provision for His servants. As David navigated a perilous period of exile and uncertainty, God was actively raising up, gathering, and equipping him with the essential human resources and military strength, including these uniquely skilled warriors, to fulfill His ultimate purpose of establishing David's kingdom, as seen throughout David's rise to power (e.g., 1 Samuel 23:14).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs Irony and Foreshadowing. The Irony is striking: some of the most formidable warriors joining David, the pursued outcast, are from the very tribe of his persecutor, King Saul. This unexpected allegiance from "Saul's brethren" serves as a powerful testament to the shifting tides of divine favor and human loyalty, underscoring the growing recognition, even within Saul's inner circle, that David was God's anointed. This also functions as Foreshadowing, hinting at the eventual unification of all Israel under David's kingship. The willingness of these Benjaminite elite to join David prefigures the broader national acceptance of David's reign and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to establish his kingdom.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of these Benjaminite warriors joining David vividly illustrates God's sovereign hand in raising up and equipping leaders, even amidst the most challenging and unlikely circumstances. Their exceptional skills were not merely human talents but divinely enabled abilities purposed for God's unfolding redemptive plan. Their courageous shift in loyalty from Saul to David demonstrates the spiritual discernment required to align with God's chosen vessel, even when it defies conventional expectations or tribal allegiances. This highlights a profound theological truth: God orchestrates events and gathers diverse individuals, each endowed with unique gifts and talents, to accomplish His will, often in ways that transcend human logic or political expediency. The passage reminds us that true allegiance is ultimately to God's purposes and His anointed, rather than to human institutions, familial ties, or popular opinion.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of these skilled Benjaminite warriors joining David offers profound and actionable insights for contemporary believers. Just as these men dedicated their unique, God-given abilities—their ambidextrous mastery of slinging and archery—to serve God's chosen king, we too are called to deploy our diverse talents, spiritual gifts, and acquired skills for the advancement of God's kingdom. Whether our gifts appear extraordinary or seem ordinary, the mandate remains to consecrate them to God's purposes, recognizing that He sovereignly equips those He calls. Furthermore, their courageous decision to shift allegiance from Saul to David, despite deep tribal ties, challenges us to critically examine our own loyalties. Are we aligning ourselves wholeheartedly with God's true will and His anointed leadership, even when it necessitates departing from comfortable norms, challenging existing paradigms, or facing opposition? This verse powerfully reminds us that discerning and committing to God's path, even in difficult or unconventional circumstances, is paramount to effective service, spiritual growth, and participating in God's unfolding story.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the ambidexterity of these warriors specifically highlighted?
Answer: The highlighting of their ambidexterity ("could use both the right hand and the left") emphasizes their exceptional military prowess and tactical versatility. In ancient warfare, being equally proficient with either hand was a rare and highly valued skill. It meant they could adapt to various combat situations, potentially surprise opponents, and maintain effectiveness even if one arm was injured or occupied. This detail underscores that David was gathering not just numbers, but elite, highly capable individuals, signifying God's provision of the best resources for His chosen king. The tribe of Benjamin was historically known for its skilled slingers, particularly left-handed ones, as noted in Judges 20:16.
What is the significance of these warriors being "of Saul's brethren of Benjamin"?
Answer: This detail is highly significant because Saul was the reigning king, and Benjamin was his own tribe. Loyalty to the king and one's tribe was paramount in ancient Israelite society. Their decision to join David, who was Saul's rival and an outcast, demonstrates a powerful shift in allegiance. It indicates that even within Saul's own tribal and familial circles, there was a recognition that God's favor had departed from Saul and now rested upon David. This act of loyalty to David, despite the potential personal and political repercussions, underscores their spiritual discernment and commitment to God's chosen leader, foreshadowing the eventual unification of the kingdom under David's rule (2 Samuel 5:3).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The gathering of these exceptionally skilled and loyal warriors around David, God's anointed king, serves as a powerful Old Testament type for the way Christ gathers His followers. Just as David, the shepherd-king, was divinely appointed and equipped with a diverse array of faithful men, so too is Jesus, the ultimate King and Good Shepherd, building His kingdom by calling and empowering His people. Believers, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, are given diverse spiritual gifts and natural talents (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and are called to use them with excellence for the advancement of God's redemptive purposes. The Benjaminite warriors' courageous shift in allegiance from Saul to David mirrors the spiritual journey of those who turn from allegiance to the world's systems and their own self-rule to pledge their unwavering loyalty to Christ. We are called to be "ambidextrous" in our service to Him, using all our faculties—mind, heart, soul, and strength—with equal devotion and skill for the Lord (Matthew 22:37). Ultimately, Christ is the one to whom all people are drawn, and in Him, we find the perfect leader, equipping us for spiritual warfare and enabling us to participate in the establishment of His eternal kingdom (Ephesians 4:11-13).