1 Chronicles 12:7

And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

And Joelah {H3132}, and Zebadiah {H2069}, the sons {H1121} of Jeroham {H3395} of Gedor {H1446}.

and Yo'elah and Z'vadyah the sons of Yerocham from G'dor.

and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.

and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:7 is a brief but significant entry within a vital historical record, detailing individuals who aligned themselves with David during a pivotal time in Israel's history. This verse specifically names Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham, from the town of Gedor.

Context of 1 Chronicles 12:7

The twelfth chapter of 1 Chronicles meticulously lists the valiant warriors and skilled men who rallied to David's side during his period of exile and when he was consolidating his power. These were men who came to him at Ziklag, while he was still fleeing from King Saul, and later at Hebron, where he was made king over all Israel. The chapter highlights the diverse origins of these supporters, including Benjamites, Gadites, Manassites, and others, emphasizing their loyalty and military prowess. Verses 1-7 focus on the Benjamites, David's own tribe, who despite Saul also being a Benjamite, chose to support David. For a broader understanding of those who joined David, consider reading 1 Chronicles 12:1.

Who were Joelah and Zebadiah?

Joelah and Zebadiah are identified as sons of Jeroham, from Gedor. While their specific deeds are not recorded, their inclusion in this roster signifies their importance to David's cause. They were part of the Benjamite contingent, described in 1 Chronicles 12:2 as "mighty men, helpers of the war, armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow." Gedor was likely a town located in the tribal territory of Judah or Benjamin, indicating their regional origin within Israel.

Key Themes and Significance

  • The Value of Every Individual: This verse underscores that even seemingly minor figures, mentioned only by name, played an integral role in God's unfolding plan. Their inclusion in this detailed record highlights that no contribution is too small in the establishment of God's purposes.
  • Divine Providence in Leadership: The meticulous listing of David's supporters illustrates how God superintended the gathering of individuals necessary for David to become king. Each person, including Joelah and Zebadiah, was part of the divine orchestration that led to David's reign over all Israel.
  • Loyalty and Commitment: These men demonstrated profound loyalty by joining David when he was still a fugitive and his future was uncertain. Their commitment serves as a testament to their faith in David's God-given destiny.

Linguistic Insights

The name Zebadiah (Hebrew: ื–ึฐื‘ึทื“ึฐื™ึธื”, Zebadyah) is a theophoric name, meaning "Yahweh has bestowed" or "Yahweh has given." This name subtly reinforces the theme of divine provision and blessing, suggesting that even the existence of these individuals and their support for David were gifts from God. The place name Gedor (Hebrew: ื’ึฐึผื“ื•ึนืจ, Gedor) likely derives from a root meaning "wall" or "fortification," perhaps indicating a strong or fortified settlement.

Practical Application

While brief, 1 Chronicles 12:7 reminds us that God uses all kinds of people, in various capacities, to achieve His grand purposes. Our own contributions, whether prominent or seemingly obscure, are valued by God and are part of His larger design. It encourages faithfulness in our roles, knowing that even our seemingly small acts of loyalty and service contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom. Just as Joelah and Zebadiah were crucial to David's success, so too are all members of the body of Christ essential, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:27.

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 15:58 (3 votes)

    Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,

  • 1 Chronicles 4:39 (2 votes)

    And they went to the entrance of Gedor, [even] unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.

  • 1 Chronicles 4:18 (2 votes)

    And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these [are] the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took.