1 Chronicles 12:31

And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

And of the half {H2677} tribe {H4294} of Manasseh {H4519} eighteen {H8083}{H6240} thousand {H505}, which were expressed {H5344} by name {H8034}, to come {H935} and make David {H1732} king {H4427}.

Of the half-tribe of M'nasheh, 18,000 were designated by name to come and make David king.

From the half-tribe of Manasseh: 18,000 designated by name to come and make David king.

And of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:31 describes the significant contribution of the half tribe of Manasseh to the united effort of making David king in Hebron. This verse is part of a detailed roster of fighting men from various Israelite tribes who pledged their allegiance to David, marking a pivotal moment in the establishment of his kingdom.

Context

This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles chapter 12, which meticulously lists the warriors, their numbers, and their tribal affiliations, who came to David at different stagesโ€”first to Ziklag while he was still fleeing Saul, and then to Hebron to formally crown him king over all Israel. Verse 31 specifically refers to the gathering in Hebron, where representatives from all twelve tribes assembled. The "half tribe of Manasseh" likely refers to the Transjordanian contingent of Manasseh, or a unified representation from both halves of the tribe, demonstrating widespread support for David's reign.

Key Themes

  • Unity and Allegiance: The verse highlights the growing solidarity among the tribes of Israel under David's leadership. The coming of 18,000 men from a single half-tribe underscores the widespread acceptance and commitment to making David king, consolidating the nation after a period of division. This unified action is a testament to God's hand in establishing David's throne, as seen in 2 Samuel 5:3.
  • Divine Appointment and Fulfillment: The assembly of such a vast and organized force from all corners of Israel, including Manasseh, signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to David. It shows the people's recognition of David as the divinely chosen leader, destined to unite the kingdom.
  • Organized Strength: The phrase "expressed by name" (Hebrew: ba-shemot) suggests that these 18,000 men were not merely a random gathering but a formally recognized and perhaps even enumerated contingent. This indicates a high level of organization and purposeful commitment, emphasizing their readiness to serve and fight for the new king.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "expressed by name" (Hebrew: ื‘ึผึทืฉึผืึตืžื•ึนืช, ba-shemot) is significant. It implies a detailed and intentional selection or recognition. It's not just a general count, but a specific roster, indicating that these individuals were prominent, perhaps leaders or highly respected warriors within their half-tribe, who were officially designated to represent their people and pledge allegiance to David.

Practical Application

The commitment shown by the half tribe of Manasseh to "make David king" offers several lessons for today. It speaks to the importance of unity and shared purpose in any significant undertaking, whether in community, church, or personal life. Just as these men recognized and committed to David's God-ordained leadership, believers are called to support and participate in God's work, contributing their unique gifts and strengths. The organized and intentional nature of their commitment reminds us that effective action often requires deliberate planning and personal accountability. This collective commitment culminated in a strong, unified kingdom, as broadly summarized in 1 Chronicles 12:38, where it states that all these men came with a "perfect heart" to Hebron.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 17:1

    ยถ There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he [was] the firstborn of Joseph; [to wit], for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.

  • Joshua 17:18

    But the mountain shall be thine; for it [is] a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, [and] though they [be] strong.
โ† Back