TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
Of Asher, 40,000 men were fit for military service and experienced in war.
American Standard Version
And of Asher, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, forty thousand.
World English Bible Messianic
Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, forty thousand.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And of Asher that went out to the battell and were trained in the warres, fourtie thousand.
Young's Literal Translation
And of Asher, going forth to the host, to arrange battle, are forty thousand.
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In the KJVVerse 10,757 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 12:36 meticulously records the significant military contribution from the tribe of Asher to King David's forces at Hebron. This verse highlights not only the substantial number—forty thousand—but also the exceptional quality of these warriors, explicitly stating they were "expert in war." It underscores the widespread and skilled support David received from all corners of Israel, solidifying his divinely appointed kingship and emphasizing the unity and collective strength necessary for establishing the nascent united monarchy.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: 1 Chronicles 12 serves as a detailed and comprehensive register of the various tribal contingents that assembled at Hebron to formally crown David as king over all Israel. Following the death of Saul and years of civil strife, this chapter emphasizes the overwhelming and unified support David garnered, portraying him as the legitimate and divinely chosen leader. The Chronicler, known for his focus on the Davidic dynasty, the temple, and the unity of Israel, meticulously lists the numbers and specific skills of each tribe's warriors (e.g., those skilled with bow and sling, those expert in war, those with discerning understanding of the times). Verse 36, therefore, is an integral part of this grand muster roll, showcasing Asher's specific contribution within the larger narrative of national consolidation under David's rule, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of David's support from across the twelve tribes.
Historical & Cultural Context: The period described in 1 Chronicles 12 marks a pivotal transition in Israelite history: the end of Saul's fragmented reign and the beginning of David's united kingdom. Hebron, a significant ancient city, served as David's capital for seven years before Jerusalem. The act of all tribes gathering there to make a covenant with David and anoint him king (as seen in 1 Chronicles 11:3) was a monumental political and religious event. In ancient Near Eastern societies, a king's legitimacy and power were often demonstrated by the size and quality of his military support. The detailed enumeration of warriors from each tribe, including Asher, reflects the cultural importance placed on tribal identity, military prowess, and the collective strength required to establish and defend a new national entity against external threats and internal divisions. This gathering at Hebron signifies a strategic and symbolic consolidation of power.
Key Themes: This verse, within the broader context of 1 Chronicles 12, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of National Unity and Support for God's chosen king. The convergence of diverse tribes, including Asher from the northern coastal plain, signifies a profound coming together of a previously fragmented nation under a single, divinely appointed leader, fulfilling the promises made to David (e.g., 2 Samuel 7:12-16). Secondly, it highlights Military Prowess and Preparedness, emphasizing that these were not mere conscripts but seasoned, "expert in war" fighters, ready to defend the nascent kingdom. This underscores the practical strength and capability that underpinned David's reign. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly for the Chronicler, the sheer scale and quality of this unified support point to Divine Ordination and Providence. The gathering of such a vast and capable army, willingly submitting to David, is presented as a testament to God's hand actively working to establish David's kingdom and bring about His purposes for Israel, echoing the earlier anointing of David by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:13.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in 1 Chronicles 12:36 and the surrounding chapter to achieve his narrative and theological aims. Enumeration is the most prominent device, as the entire chapter is a meticulous list of tribes and their contributions. This detailed counting serves to emphasize the comprehensive and widespread support for David, lending legitimacy and divine backing to his reign. The specific mention of "forty thousand" from Asher, alongside similar large numbers from other tribes, uses Hyperbole or Magnification to convey the overwhelming scale of the national unity and military might. While the numbers may not always be strictly literal, they effectively communicate the immense collective force rallied behind David. Furthermore, the phrase "expert in war" is a form of Emphasis through Detail, highlighting the quality and not just the quantity of the forces. This specific descriptor adds weight and credibility to the military capabilities of the gathered army, reinforcing the idea that David's kingdom was established not only by divine will but also by robust human effort and skill.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 12:36, by detailing Asher's contribution, underscores the theological principle of corporate responsibility and the value of diverse gifts in establishing God's purposes. Just as each tribe brought its unique strengths—whether numbers, specific skills, or strategic location—to form a unified kingdom under God's anointed king, so too does God's work in the world today require the collective and skilled contribution of His people. The passage implicitly teaches that every part, no matter how seemingly small or geographically distant, is vital for the flourishing of the whole. The "expert in war" detail reminds us that God often uses prepared and skilled individuals to accomplish His plans, calling us to cultivate our abilities for His glory and to deploy them in unity for His kingdom.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Asher's contribution to David's army serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, purpose, and the dedicated use of our gifts within a larger community. In the context of faith, this means recognizing that every believer, regardless of their perceived prominence, possesses unique talents and experiences ("expert in war") that are invaluable to the collective mission of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom. Just as Asher's forty thousand skilled warriors were essential for solidifying David's earthly reign, so too are our individual contributions—whether in leadership, service, teaching, or prayer—critical for the spiritual health and effectiveness of the body of Christ. This verse challenges us to move beyond passive observation and actively deploy our God-given abilities with excellence and a spirit of cooperation, understanding that our individual strengths are magnified when united for a common, righteous cause. It calls us to embody the same readiness and expertise in our spiritual battles and service as Asher's warriors demonstrated in their physical ones, striving for proficiency and dedication in all we do for the Lord.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the number "forty thousand" significant, and should it be taken literally?
Answer: The number "forty thousand" is significant because it highlights the immense scale of the support David received, emphasizing the widespread unity and military strength that rallied behind him. While the Chronicler often uses large, rounded numbers to convey a sense of overwhelming magnitude and divine blessing, it's debated whether these figures should always be taken as precise literal counts. In ancient Near Eastern historiography, large numbers could also serve to impress upon the reader the grandeur and importance of an event or a king's power. Regardless of whether it's an exact census or a hyperbolic representation, the intent is clear: Asher's contribution was substantial and vital to the establishment of David's kingdom, demonstrating a powerful and unified Israel under God's chosen leader.
What was the tribe of Asher known for, and how does this verse fit their typical portrayal?
Answer: The tribe of Asher was typically associated with the fertile northern coastal plain of Israel, known for its rich agricultural produce, particularly olive oil (Genesis 49:20 and Deuteronomy 33:24). They are sometimes depicted as less prominent in military exploits compared to tribes like Judah or Benjamin, and they struggled to drive out the inhabitants of their allotted territory (Judges 1:31-32). However, 1 Chronicles 12:36 presents a different picture, showcasing Asher as contributing a significant and highly skilled military contingent—"expert in war." This highlights that even tribes not primarily known for their military might could rise to the occasion and contribute substantially to a national cause, especially when united under a divinely appointed leader like David. It underscores the Chronicler's theme of comprehensive national unity and God's ability to use all His people.
How does this account of a military muster relate to God's kingdom today?
Answer: While the context is a physical military muster for an earthly king, the underlying principles resonate deeply with God's kingdom today. Just as David's kingdom required a unified people, each contributing their unique skills and strengths, so too does the spiritual kingdom of God. The church, as the body of Christ, is called to unity (Ephesians 4:3) and to use diverse spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) for the common good and the advancement of the Gospel. Believers are called to be "expert" in their spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18) and dedicated in their service, recognizing that every individual's contribution, no matter how small, is vital to the collective mission of God's people in the world. It emphasizes that God uses His people, equipped with various talents, to accomplish His divine purposes.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 12:36, with its depiction of a unified, skilled, and numerous host rallying around David, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King. David's earthly kingdom, established by the convergence of loyal tribes, foreshadows the spiritual kingdom of God, which is built by those who willingly align themselves with Christ. Jesus is the ultimate Anointed One, to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given (Matthew 28:18). Just as Asher's "expert in war" contingent contributed to David's reign, so too does Christ gather a people, not of physical warriors, but of spiritual ones, equipped by the Holy Spirit to engage in spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). The unity of the tribes under David points to the profound unity of believers in the body of Christ, where diverse gifts and backgrounds converge under the headship of Jesus (Colossians 1:18). Ultimately, the establishment of David's kingdom by a loyal and skilled people prefigures the eternal reign of Christ, which is not built by human might but by the power of God, drawing all nations to Himself as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).