1 Chronicles Chapter 12
David’s Army
“Every word of this chapter carries the mind on to great David’s greater Son, and the men He gathers about Him.” (G. Campbell Morgan)
A. The devotion of David’s army
1. (1 Chronicles 12:1-2) Even the Benjaminites, the tribal relatives of Saul, come to David
“Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow. Even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin.”
These verses describe the warriors who first came to David during his fugitive years, specifically when he was living in Ziklag. According to First Samuel chapter twenty seven through thirty, David had taken refuge among the Philistines because Saul sought his life without ceasing. In that season of exile God began sending men to David, forming the nucleus of the army that would one day establish the kingdom.
The remarkable feature here is that these warriors were Benjaminites, the same tribe as Saul. They had every earthly reason to remain loyal to Saul’s dynasty, for their tribe stood to benefit if Saul remained king. Yet they defected to David. Their allegiance demonstrates spiritual discernment. They saw that God’s hand was upon David and that the Spirit had departed from Saul. They chose God’s future rather than man’s past. This is a consistent biblical pattern. God rewards those who align themselves with His anointed despite cultural or tribal pressures.
These men were not ordinary soldiers. Scripture says they were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows. Judges chapter three verse fifteen and Judges chapter twenty verse sixteen describe left handed warriors, but the ability to fight with either hand was extraordinary. This dexterity made them unpredictable, versatile, and deadly. Their inclusion among the mighty men shows that God was bringing superior skill and strength to David even before he officially became king. God equips His chosen servants long before others recognize their calling.
2. (1 Chronicles 12:3-15) David’s diverse army
“The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite. And Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth. And Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite. And Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty. And Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite. And Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite. And Elkanah, and Jisshiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites. And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains. Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh. These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host. One of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks. And they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.”
The Chronicler expands the portrait of David’s followers by showing the remarkable diversity and strength of the men God brought to him. These warriors came from multiple tribes, towns, and backgrounds, yet they united under the man chosen by God. Ishmaiah the Gibeonite is noted as a mighty man among the thirty and as a leader over the thirty. This supports the understanding that “the thirty” was not a strict number, but a military classification similar to a Roman centurion. Selman explains that the title likely referred to a class of elite officers directly accountable to David.
The Gadites who joined David in the wilderness were exceptionally powerful. Scripture describes them as mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear. They were men who had received disciplined training. They knew how to employ both offensive and defensive capabilities, combining courage with skill.
Their faces were like the faces of lions. This imagery signals fearless composure and unflinching resolve. These were men who did not panic, who did not waver, and who met danger with steady confidence. Trapp notes that they were fierce and terrible to their enemies, the kind of men who could look death itself in the face without trembling. This same spirit is what God forms in His faithful servants today, shaping them to stand firm in spiritual warfare with calm conviction rooted in the Lord.
They were also as swift as gazelles upon the mountains. Their speed made them highly mobile, capable of rapid deployment and sudden attack. Spurgeon observed that the grace of God can make believers quick and active in spiritual service, both brave and swift, like the roes upon the mountains.
One of the least of these Gadites could command a hundred men, and the greatest over a thousand. Their leadership abilities matched their personal skill. The Chronicler then notes that these are the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it overflowed its banks. Adam Clarke suggests this likely occurred in the month Nisan, corresponding to our March or April, when the snowmelt from the mountains made crossing extremely dangerous. The fact that they willingly braved this, simply to join David, demonstrates extraordinary devotion.
Spurgeon praises their example, noting that these men refused to allow barriers or difficulties to keep them from joining the Lord’s anointed. They swam through a swollen river at personal risk in order to stand with David in the wilderness. Such devotion pictures the determination believers must show toward Christ, the greater David. Obstacles, cultural pressures, and dangers should not prevent wholehearted commitment to the King.
3. (1 Chronicles 12:16-22) David receives loyal soldiers at the stronghold
“And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you. But if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon and rebuke it. Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse. Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers, for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle. But they helped them not, for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh. And they helped David against the band of the rovers, for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host. For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.”
This passage records one of the most significant turning points in David’s rise to kingship. Men from Benjamin and Judah, the two tribes closest to Saul’s throne, came to David while he was in the stronghold. That they came at all is remarkable, for Benjamin especially had much to lose by turning from Saul to David. Yet the providence of God was moving the hearts of men toward the one He had chosen.
David went out to meet them. This shows a heart of confidence and godly leadership. He did not hide behind walls, nor assume hostility. Instead he confronted the situation openly and honorably. His words reveal humility and trust in God. If they came peaceably, David promised unity. If they came with treachery, David trusted God to judge. He had no wrong in his hands. His conscience was clear. This is the boldness of a man walking in righteousness.
Then the Spirit came upon Amasai. Scripture literally says the Spirit clothed him. This is the same unique expression used of Gideon in Judges chapter six verse thirty four and of Zechariah the son of Jehoiada in Second Chronicles chapter twenty four verse twenty. The Holy Spirit empowered Amasai to speak prophetic words affirming loyalty to David.
Amasai declared, “Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse. Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers, for thy God helpeth thee.” These words are deeply theological. They acknowledged David’s rightful place as the Lord’s anointed. They recognized that God was helping David. They offered peaceful allegiance, not only to David himself but to all who served him. This confession mirrors the New Testament call to stand with Jesus Christ, the greater David, acknowledging that God is with Him and that peace belongs to all who serve Him faithfully.
David received them and made them captains of the troop. Once again David displays discernment and generosity. He rewarded loyalty and courage by elevating them to positions of leadership. Kingdom work always requires faithful men raised up to serve.
The chronicler then recounts how men from Manasseh later defected to David when he was returning from the Philistine frontier. David had attempted to march with the Philistines against Saul, but the lords of the Philistines feared that David would defect to his old master in the heat of battle and endanger their lives, so they sent him away according to First Samuel chapter twenty seven and twenty nine. Their suspicion became the occasion for God to redirect David back toward his true calling. As he returned to Ziklag, captains from Manasseh joined him, mighty men of valor, captains in the host. They helped David fight off raiding bands, proving their loyalty in action.
Finally, Scripture notes that day by day men came to David, until the army became a great host, like the host of God. This is not hyperbole. The Chronicler wants the reader to see divine orchestration. God was gathering men to His king. What began in the cave of Adullam as a band of distressed and discontented men had grown into an army marked by courage, skill, loyalty, and divine blessing. The phrase “like the host of God” implies order, strength, purity of purpose, and heavenly empowerment.
What began in fear and obscurity became, by the hand of God, a mighty force prepared to establish the kingdom. David needed these men, and they needed him. God raised each for the other.
B. The royal army at Hebron
1. (1 Chronicles 12:23-37) The army of the tribes of Israel
“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. The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war. Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred. And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred. And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father’s house twenty and two captains. 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. And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers. And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king. 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. 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. And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand. And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred. And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand. And on the other side Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, one hundred and twenty thousand.”
This passage presents the vast and orderly host of Israel that gathered to Hebron to make David king according to the word of the Lord. Each tribe contributed men equipped for war, reflecting national unity under God’s chosen king. The Chronicler’s purpose is clear. God Himself was now gathering the nation to David, fulfilling the promise given through Samuel. What Saul had forfeited by disobedience, God now transferred to David by divine appointment.
The men of Judah numbered six thousand eight hundred, bearing shield and spear. Simeon contributed seven thousand one hundred mighty men of valor. The Levites numbered four thousand six hundred. The presence of Levites in military service confirms that they were not forbidden from warfare. Numbers chapter one verses forty seven through fifty three excludes them from census enrollment for war in that specific context, but Selman rightly notes that nothing in the law prohibited Levites from fighting when needed. Their inclusion here shows their full support of David.
Jehoiada the leader of the Aaronites brought three thousand seven hundred, and Zadok, a young man of great valor, came with twenty two captains from his father’s house. Even Benjamin, Saul’s own tribe, sent three thousand. Until this point the majority of Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul’s house, but now they recognized God’s call upon David. Their shift signals the collapse of Saul’s dynasty and the nation’s realignment with the Lord’s chosen king.
Ephraim contributed twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor and well known throughout their father’s house. From the half tribe of Manasseh came eighteen thousand men expressly designated by name to make David king. This recognition by name emphasizes their intentional loyalty and their readiness to stand openly with David.
Then comes the famous description of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. Their chiefs numbered two hundred, and all their brethren were under their command. Ancient Jewish tradition sometimes attributes prophetic or astronomical insight to Issachar, but Scripture gives no support for such theories. Instead Poole and Trapp rightly observe that their wisdom came from spiritual discernment and long experience. They recognized the moment God had appointed for David’s public enthronement. They had supported Saul while it was proper to do so, but now they shifted allegiance at the exact time ordained by God. Their example illustrates true biblical prudence, the ability to understand God’s timing and respond accordingly.
Zebulun sent fifty thousand expert warriors, able to handle all weapons of war and stouthearted men who could keep ranks. The phrase stouthearted literally means men without a heart and a heart, that is, not double minded. They were single hearted in devotion. Meyer draws attention to the danger of double mindedness. A man with divided loyalties is unstable in all his ways, as James chapter one verse eight teaches. These men followed David with undivided loyalty. Because they were united in heart, they were also united in formation. They could hold their ranks in battle. Their single devotion produced disciplined unity.
Naphtali contributed one thousand captains and thirty seven thousand men armed with shield and spear. Dan sent twenty eight thousand six hundred expert warriors. Asher added forty thousand able to keep battle formation. Finally, from beyond the Jordan came the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh with one hundred and twenty thousand men armed with every kind of weapon for war.
This massive gathering demonstrates God’s sovereign orchestration. The nation was not uniting around David merely because of politics or personal preference. They were gathering because the word of the Lord had declared him king. Each tribe contributed its strength, its leadership, and its warriors to fulfill the divine will.
