I Chronicles 12
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Came to David to Ziklag - Achish, king of Gath, had given Ziklag to David, as a safe retreat from the wrath of Saul.
Open source ↗THE COMPANIES THAT CAME TO DAVID AT ZIKLAG. (1Ch. 12:1-22) Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag--There are three lists given in this chapter, arranged, apparently, according to the order of time when the parties joined the standard of David. while he yet kept himself close because of Saul--that is, when the king's jealousy had driven him into exile from the court and the country. Ziklag--(See on Sa1 27:6). It was during his retirement in that Philistine town that he was joined in rapid succession by the heroes who afterwards contributed so much to the glory of his reign.
Open source ↗Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag,.... Given him by Achish to live in, when he fled from Saul, Sa1 27:6. while he yet kept himself close, because of Saul the son of Kish; when he was an exile from his own country, and obliged to live retired in a foreign one, because of Saul's persecution of him, and seeking to take away his life: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war; not against Saul, with whom David had none, but with the Amalekites, and others, Sa1 27:8.
Open source ↗Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag,.... Given him by Achish to live in, when he fled from Saul, Sa1 27:6. while he yet kept himself close, because of Saul the son of Kish; when he was an exile from his own country, and obliged to live retired in a foreign one, because of Saul's persecution of him, and seeking to take away his life: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war; not against Saul, with whom David had none, but with the Amalekites, and others, Sa1 27:8.
Open source ↗We have here an account of those that appeared and acted as David's friends, upon the death of Saul, to bring about the revolution. All the forces he had, while he was persecuted, was but 600 men, who served for his guards; but, when the time had come that he must begin to act offensively, Providence brought in more to his assistance. Even while he kept himself close, because of Saul (Ch1 12:1), while he did not appear, to invite or encourage his friends and well-wishers to come in to him (not foreseeing that the death of Saul was so near), God was inclining and preparing them to come over to him with seasonable succours. Those that trust God to do his work for them in his own way and time shall find his providence outdoing all their forecast and contrivance. The war was God's, and he found out helpers of the war, whose forwardness to act for the man God designed for the government is here recorded to their honour. I. Some, even of Saul's brethren, of the tribe of Benjamin, and a-kin to him, came over to David, Ch1 12:2. What moved them to it we are not told. Probably a generous indignation at the base treatment which Saul, one of their tribe, gave him, animated them to appear the more vigorously for him, that the guilt and reproach of it might not lie upon them. These Benjamites are described to be men of great dexterity, that were trained up in shooting and slinging, and used both hands alike - ingenious active men; a few of these might do David a great deal of service. Several of the leading men of them are here named. See Jdg 20:16. II. Some of the tribe of Gad, though seated on the other side Jordan, had such a conviction of David's title to the government, and fitness for it, that they separated themselves from their brethren (a laudable separation it was) to go t…
Open source ↗12:1-22 Support for making David king did not begin with Saul’s demise. When Saul was king and David was a fugitive, warriors went to David and eventually became a vast camp of various tribes, representing all of Israel. Even relatives of Saul deserted to David and supported him as king (12:2). Of course, David was prudent about such deserters (12:17), making sure they were not traitors who would betray him to Saul. Before David’s actual anointing took place at Hebron, the will of the people reflected the will of God that David should become king.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse צִקְלַג (Tsiqlag, H6860) — Tsiklag or Tsikelag, a place in Palestine עָצָר (ʻâtsâr, H6113) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קִישׁ (Qîysh, H7027) — Kish, the name of five Israelites גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant עָזַר (ʻâzar, H5826) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗נָשַׁק (nâshaq, H5401) — to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with… קֶשֶׁת (qesheth, H7198) — a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris יָמַן (yâman, H3231) — to be right-handed or take the right-hand side שָׂמַאל (sâmaʼl, H8041) — to use the left hand or pass in that direction) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone חֵץ (chêts, H2671) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God)… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אֲחִיעֶזֶר (ʼĂchîyʻezer, H295) — Achiezer, the name of two Israelites יוֹאָשׁ (Yôwʼâsh, H3101) — Joash, the name of six Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שְׁמָעָה (Shᵉmâʻâh, H8094) — Shemaah, an Israelite גִּבְעָתִי (Gibʻâthîy, H1395) — a Gibathite, or inhabitant of Gibath יְזַוְאֵל (Yᵉzavʼêl, H3149) — Jezavel, an Israelite פֶּלֶט (Peleṭ, H6404) — Pelet, the name of two Israelites עַזְמָוֶת (ʻAzmâveth, H5820) — Azmaveth, the name of three Israelites and of a place in Palestine בְּרָכָה (Bᵉrâkâh, H1294) — Berakah, the name of an Israelite, and also of a valley in Palestine יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites עַנְתֹתִי (ʻAnthôthîy, H6069) — a Antothite or inhabitant of Anathoth
Open source ↗יִשְׁמַעְיָה (Yishmaʻyâh, H3460) — Jishmajah, the name of two Israelites גִּבְעֹנִי (Gibʻônîy, H1393) — a Gibonite, or inhabitant of Gibon גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites יַחֲזִיאֵל (Yachăzîyʼêl, H3166) — Jachaziel, the name of five Israelites יוֹחָנָן (Yôwchânân, H3110) — Jochanan, the name of nine Israelites יוֹזָבָד (Yôwzâbâd, H3107) — Jozabad, the name of ten Israelites גְּדֵרָתִי (Gᵉdêrâthîy, H1452) — a Gederathite, or inhabitant of Gederah
Open source ↗אֶלְעוּזַי (ʼElʻûwzay, H498) — Eluzai, an Israelite יְרִימוֹת (Yᵉrîymôwth, H3406) — Jerimoth or Jeremoth, the name of twelve Israelites בְּעַלְיָה (Bᵉʻalyâh, H1183) — Bealjah, an Israelite שְׁמַרְיָה (Shᵉmaryâh, H8114) — Shemarjah, the name of four Israelites שְׁפַטְיָה (Shᵉphaṭyâh, H8203) — Shephatjah, the name of ten Israelites חֲרוּפִי (Chărûwphîy, H2741) — a Charuphite or inhabitant of Charuph (or Chariph)
Open source ↗אֶלְקָנָה (ʼElqânâh, H511) — Elkanah, the name of several Israelites יִשִּׁיָּה (Yishshîyâh, H3449) — Jishshijah, the name of five Israelites עֲזַרְאֵל (ʻĂzarʼêl, H5832) — Azarel, the name of five Israelites יוֹעֶזֶר (Yôwʻezer, H3134) — Joezer, an Israelite יָשׇׁבְעָם (Yâshobʻâm, H3434) — Jashobam, the name of two or three Israelites קׇרְחִי (Qorchîy, H7145) — a Korchite (collectively) or descendants of Korach
Open source ↗יוֹעֵאלָה (Yôwʻêʼlâh, H3132) — Joelah, an Israelite זְבַדְיָה (Zᵉbadyâh, H2069) — Zebadjah, the name of nine Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְרֹחָם (Yᵉrôchâm, H3395) — Jerocham, the name of seven or eight Israelites גְדֹר (Gᵉdôr, H1446) — Gedor, a place in Palestine; also the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗גָּדִי (Gâdîy, H1425) — a Gadite (collectively) or descendants of Gad בָּדַל (bâdal, H914) — to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ,… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מְצַד (mᵉtsad, H4679) — a fastness (as a covert of ambush) מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) צִנָּה (tsinnâh, H6793) — a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness); also cold (as… רֹמַח (rômach, H7420) — a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗עֵזֶר (ʻÊzer, H5829) — Ezer, the name of four Israelites רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… עֹבַדְיָה (ʻÔbadyâh, H5662) — Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again אֱלִיאָב (ʼĔlîyʼâb, H446) — Eliab, the name of six Israelites שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a…
Open source ↗מִשְׁמַנָּה (Mishmannâh, H4925) — Mashmannah, an Israelite רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites חֲמִישִׁי (chămîyshîy, H2549) — fifth; also a fifth
Open source ↗עַתַּי (ʻAttay, H6262) — Attai, the name of three Israelites שִׁשִּׁי (shishshîy, H8345) — sixth, ord. or (feminine) fractional אֱלִיאֵל (ʼĔlîyʼêl, H447) — Eliel, the name of nine Israelites שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh
Open source ↗יוֹחָנָן (Yôwchânân, H3110) — Jochanan, the name of nine Israelites שְׁמִינִי (shᵉmîynîy, H8066) — eight אֶלְזָבָד (ʼElzâbâd, H443) — Elzabad, the name of two Israelites תְּשִׁיעִי (tᵉshîyʻîy, H8671) — ninth
Open source ↗יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites עֲשִׂירִי (ʻăsîyrîy, H6224) — tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part מַכְבַּנַּי (Makbannay, H4344) — a Macbannite or native of Macbena עַשְׁתֵּי (ʻashtêy, H6249) — eleven or (ordinal) eleventh עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גָּד (Gâd, H1410) — Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news!
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
saying, “Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.
Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.