1 Chronicles 12:26

Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

Of the children {H1121} of Levi {H3878} four {H702} thousand {H505} and six {H8337} hundred {H3967}.

Of the descendants of Levi, there were 4,600.

From Levi: 4,600,

Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

Commentary

Context of 1 Chronicles 12:26

1 Chronicles chapter 12 provides a detailed list of the various mighty men and leaders who gathered to support David, first during his time as a fugitive and later at Hebron, where he was made king over all Israel. This specific verse, "Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred," is part of a comprehensive tally of the tribal contingents that pledged their allegiance and military support to David. It highlights the widespread and unified backing David received, underscoring the divine hand in his ascension to the throne. The Levites, though primarily serving in spiritual and priestly capacities, were also present in significant numbers, demonstrating their commitment to the national cause and the divinely appointed leader.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unity and Support for David: The verse, within its broader context, emphasizes the remarkable unity among the tribes of Israel in recognizing David as their rightful king. The sheer number of men, including the Levites, indicates a broad consensus and commitment to establishing God's chosen leader.
  • The Diverse Role of the Levites: While the Levites were not typically warriors, their presence in such large numbers signifies their vital role in the national life beyond just temple service. Their support was crucial for the legitimacy and strength of David's kingdom, showing that contributions to God's work come in many forms, not just military strength. For their general appointment to service, see Numbers 3:6.
  • Divine Appointment and Legitimacy: The extensive support from all corners of Israel, meticulously documented, serves to underscore the legitimacy of David's kingship, which was ordained by God. This gathering at Hebron was the fulfillment of divine promise, as also recorded in 2 Samuel 5:3.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "children of Levi" simply refers to the descendants of Levi, one of Jacob's twelve sons. This tribe was set apart for special service to God, primarily involving the care of the tabernacle and later the temple, and assisting the priests. The specific number, "four thousand and six hundred," provides a precise accounting, characteristic of the Chronicler's attention to detail, highlighting the organized and substantial nature of the support David received.

Practical Application

1 Chronicles 12:26, though a numerical detail, offers profound insights for today. It reminds us of the importance of diverse contributions within any community or spiritual endeavor. Just as the Levites, with their distinct spiritual calling, joined the warriors to support David, so too are all vocations and gifts valuable in serving a common, God-given purpose. It underscores the power of unity and commitment when people from various backgrounds come together under a shared vision, demonstrating that every member, regardless of their primary role, plays a vital part in achieving collective goals and fulfilling divine plans.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.