TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
And of the Danites that could set the battle in array, twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
World English Bible Messianic
Of the Danites who could set the battle in array, twenty-eight thousand six hundred.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And of Dan expert in battell, eyght and twentie thousande, and sixe hundreth.
Young's Literal Translation
And of the Danite, arranging battle, are twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
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In the KJVVerse 10,756 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 12 verses 23–40
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.
24 The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.
25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
28 And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.
29 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.
30 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers.
31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
32 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.
33 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.
34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
35 And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.
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, an hundred and twenty thousand.
38 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.
39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
40 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.
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.
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 (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 23–40. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 12:35 precisely details the significant contribution of the tribe of Dan to David's growing army, specifically noting their substantial contingent of 28,600 warriors who were "expert in war." This meticulous enumeration, part of a larger tribal roster in 1 Chronicles 12, underscores the widespread national unity and military strength that rallied around David at Hebron, affirming his divinely appointed leadership and foreshadowing the establishment of a unified kingdom under his rule.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: 1 Chronicles 12 provides a detailed account of the various tribal contingents who joined David, first at Ziklag and then, more significantly, at Hebron, where he was ultimately anointed king over all Israel. The chapter meticulously lists the numbers and specific military skills of warriors from each tribe, emphasizing their unwavering loyalty and readiness to fight alongside David. This particular verse, 1 Chronicles 12:35, is situated within a lengthy enumeration that begins with the Benjamites and Gadites (who joined David at Ziklag, as detailed in 1 Chronicles 12:1-22) and then shifts to the larger assembly at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:23-40). The Chronicler's emphasis on such detailed lists serves to highlight the broad support David garnered from all corners of Israel, presenting his kingship as a unified national endeavor rather than a mere tribal ascendancy. The overall narrative of 1 Chronicles focuses on the legitimate Davidic dynasty and the establishment of proper worship, with these military details affirming the strength and divine backing of David's kingdom.
Historical & Cultural Context: The period described in 1 Chronicles 12 is a pivotal moment in Israelite history, occurring shortly after the death of King Saul and before David's anointing as king over all Israel in Hebron (2 Samuel 5:3). David, having previously reigned over Judah for seven and a half years, was now consolidating his claim to the throne of a united Israel. The assembly of these tribal forces was not merely a military muster but a profound political and religious act of allegiance. In ancient Near Eastern societies, such large-scale gatherings of warriors from diverse regions demonstrated a leader's legitimacy and the people's collective will. The mention of specific tribal strengths, like the Danites being "expert in war," reflects the specialized military roles or reputations that different tribes might have held. Hebron, a significant ancient city, served as an ideal meeting point due to its historical and strategic importance, further legitimizing David's claim as the divinely chosen monarch for a united Israel.
Key Themes: The meticulous listing of tribal warriors in 1 Chronicles 12 contributes to several overarching themes central to the Chronicler's message. Firstly, it underscores the theme of national unity and the widespread, voluntary support for David's kingship, which was essential for a stable and prosperous Israel. This unity is explicitly highlighted in verses like 1 Chronicles 12:38. Secondly, the emphasis on the military prowess and "expertise in war" of various tribes, including the Danites, highlights the theme of divine provision and strength for David's kingdom. This formidable army was not merely human might but a testament to God's hand in establishing His chosen king. Thirdly, the detailed enumeration reflects the Chronicler's interest in order and organization, portraying David's reign as a period of structured governance and effective leadership, a stark contrast to the chaotic end of Saul's reign. This organizational detail also serves to legitimize David's lineage and the subsequent temple worship, which are central concerns of the entire book of 1 Chronicles.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this verse and the surrounding chapter to convey his message. The most prominent is Enumeration, where a detailed list of numbers and names is provided for various tribal contingents. This device serves to convey the immense scale of support for David, lending credibility and authority to his kingship by demonstrating the broad national consensus. The sheer volume of precise figures (e.g., 28,600 from Dan, 120,000 from Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh in 1 Chronicles 12:37) creates an impression of overwhelming strength and unity. Furthermore, the use of Descriptive Adjectives like "expert in war" provides specific qualitative information about the troops, going beyond mere numbers to highlight their specialized skills and readiness. This adds depth to the portrayal of David's army, emphasizing its formidable nature. The overall literary strategy is one of Affirmation, presenting David's rise to power as a divinely sanctioned and nationally supported event, building a strong foundation for the subsequent narrative of his reign and the establishment of the temple.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The assembly of such a vast and skilled army from diverse tribes, including the Danites, underscores a profound theological truth: God's sovereign orchestration of events to establish His chosen king. While the verse focuses on human military might, the larger narrative of 1 Chronicles consistently points to divine providence guiding David's ascent and the consolidation of his kingdom. This gathering was not merely a political maneuver but a fulfillment of God's promise to establish David's throne forever. The unity and diverse contributions of the tribes also foreshadow the ideal of a unified people of God, working together under divine leadership for a common purpose, reflecting the harmonious body of believers in the New Testament.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 12:35, though a historical record of ancient military forces, offers profound principles for contemporary life and faith. Just as David's success depended on the diverse and specialized contributions of each tribe, so too does any thriving community—whether a family, a workplace, or a church—depend on recognizing and valuing the unique gifts and talents of its members. The Danites were "expert in war," signifying their readiness and skill for their specific calling. This challenges us to cultivate excellence in our own vocations, spiritual gifts, and personal development, striving to be "expert" in whatever God has called us to do, whether it's in our professional lives, our service to the church, or our relationships. Furthermore, the collective gathering of these thousands of warriors, each bringing their specific expertise, powerfully illustrates the strength found in unity when diverse individuals come together for a common, righteous cause under God-ordained leadership. It reminds us that our individual strengths are magnified when we align ourselves with a greater purpose and work collaboratively for the glory of God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Chronicler provide such detailed lists of warriors and their numbers?
Answer: The Chronicler's meticulous enumeration of warriors, as seen throughout 1 Chronicles 12, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it emphasizes the widespread national support for David, demonstrating that his kingship was not merely a tribal affair but a unified decision by all Israel. This legitimizes David's reign as divinely appointed and popularly accepted. Secondly, it highlights the immense strength and formidable nature of David's army, underscoring God's provision for His chosen king and kingdom. Thirdly, it reflects the Chronicler's broader theological agenda, which focuses on order, organization, and the establishment of a stable, God-centered kingdom, leading to the construction of the Temple. These lists underscore the historical reality and divine backing of the Davidic dynasty, which is central to the Chronicler's message.
What is the significance of the Danites being "expert in war" compared to other tribes?
Answer: The description of the Danites as "expert in war" (found in 1 Chronicles 12:35) highlights their particular military proficiency. While other tribes are also noted for their skills (e.g., Gadites being "mighty men of valor, men trained for war," 1 Chronicles 12:8), the specific phrasing for the Danites suggests a high level of training, discipline, and strategic readiness. This emphasis on their expertise, combined with their significant numbers, indicates that they were a valuable and formidable contingent within David's growing army. It showcases the diverse strengths and specialized contributions that each tribe brought to the national effort of establishing David's kingdom, reinforcing the idea of a unified yet multi-faceted military force under divine guidance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 12:35 details the military prowess of the Danites rallying around King David, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the spiritual army gathered around the true and eternal King, Jesus Christ. David, as an earthly king, was a type and shadow of the Messiah. Just as diverse tribes united under David to establish his earthly kingdom, so too are believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation called to unite under Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. We, as followers of Christ, are called to be "expert in war," not in physical combat, but in spiritual warfare, equipped with the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil. Our strength comes not from our own numbers or earthly skills, but from the power of the Holy Spirit within us (Acts 1:8). The unity of David's army foreshadows the unity of the Church, the body of Christ, where each member, with their unique gifts and "expertise" (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), contributes to the advancement of God's eternal kingdom. Ultimately, the gathering at Hebron to make David king points to the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, establishing His reign forevermore.