1Tito přišli do Siklagu za Davidem, když se ještě skrýval před Saulem, synem Kíšovým; byli mezi hrdiny, kteří pomáhali v boji; 2byli ozbrojeni lukem a uměli používat pravou i levou ruku na vrhání kamenů i střílení šípů z luku; byli ze Saulových bratrů, z Benjamína: 3Achíezer, vůdce, a Jóaš, synové Šemay Gibeatského, Jezíel a Pelet, synové Azmávetovi, Beraka, Jehú Anatótský, 4Jišmajáš Gibeónský, hrdina mezi třiceti a nad třiceti, 5Jeremjáš, Jachazíel, Jóchanan, Józabad Gederatský, 6Eleúzaj, Jerímót, Bealjáš, Šemarjáš, Šefatjáš Charufský, 7Elkána, Jišijáš, Azarel, Jóezer, Jášobeám, Kórachovci, 8Jóela a Zebadjáš, synové Jerocháma z Gedóru. 9Z Gádovců přešli k Davidovi do pevnosti v pustině udatní hrdinové, bojeschopní vojáci, vyzbrojení štítem a oštěpem; vypadali jako lev a rychlí byli jako gazely na horách. 10Vůdce byl Ezer, druhý Obadjáš, třetí Elíab, 11čtvrtý Mišmana, pátý Jeremjáš, 12šestý Ataj, sedmý Elíel, 13osmý Jóchanan, devátý Elzabad, 14desátý Jeremjáš, jedenáctý Makbanaj. 15Toto jsou vůdci armády ze synů Gádových. Nejmenší za sto, největší za tisíc. 16To jsou ti, kteří prošli Jordánem v prvním měsíci, kdy se rozlévá na oba své břehy, a vyhnali všechny žijící v údolích na východ a na západ. 17Přišli také někteří ze synů Benjamínových a Judejci do pevnosti k Davidovi. 18David před ně vyšel a promluvil k nim: Jestliže ke mně přicházíte v pokoji, abyste mi pomohli, budu s vámi zajedno; jestliže však abyste mě zradili mým protivníkům, ačkoli na mých rukou není násilí, ať pohledí Bůh našich otců a rozsoudí. 19Duch vyzbrojil Amasaje, vůdce kapitánů, takže řekl: Tobě patříme, Davide, s tebou jsme, synu Jišajův. Pokoj, pokoj tobě, pokoj tvým pomocníkům, vždyť ti pomáhá tvůj Bůh. David je přijal a ustanovil je vůdci oddílů. 20Někteří z Manasesa přeběhli k Davidovi, když táhl s Pelištejci do boje proti Saulovi. Ale nepomáhali jim, neboť když se pelištejská knížata poradila, propustila ho se slovy: Přeběhl by s našimi hlavami ke svému pánu Saulovi. 21Když šel do Siklagu, přeběhli k němu někteří z Manasesa: Adnach, Józabad, Jedíael, Michael, Józabad, Elíhú a Siletaj, předáci Manasesových rodů. 22Ti přišli Davidovi na pomoc proti loupežné hordě, neboť byli všichni udatní hrdinové; stali se veliteli v armádě. 23Den co den přicházeli lidé Davidovi na pomoc, až bylo vojsko velké jako vojsko Boží. 24Toto jsou počty vůdců vojenských ozbrojenců, kteří přišli k Davidovi do Chebrónu, aby na něj podle Hospodinova příkazu přenesli Saulovo království: 25Synů Judových, kteří nosili štít a oštěp, bylo šest tisíc osm set vojenských ozbrojenců; 26ze synů Šimeónových sedm tisíc jedno sto udatných hrdinů pro vojenskou službu; 27ze synů Léviho čtyři tisíce šest set; 28Jójada, vévoda Áronovců, a s ním tři tisíce sedm set; 29Sádok, mladý udatný hrdina, a dům jeho otce, dvacet dva velitelů; 30ze synů Benjamínových, Saulových bratrů, tři tisíce; až doposud jich většina zachovávala službu domu Saulova; 31ze synů Efrajimových dvacet tisíc osm set udatných hrdinů, věhlasných mužů v domě jejich otců; 32z poloviny pokolení Manasesova osmnáct tisíc těch, kteří byli jmenovitě určeni, aby šli ustanovit Davida králem; 33ze synů Isacharových, kteří byli schopni rozumět časům a věděli, co má Izrael dělat, dvě stě jejich předáků a všichni jejich bratři podle jejich příkazu; 34ze Zabulóna ti, kteří táhli s armádou připraveni do boje s všelijakými válečnými zbraněmi, padesát tisíc, hotových nastoupit bez bázně a hany; 35z Neftalího tisíc velitelů a s nimi třicet sedm tisíc mužů se štítem a kopím; 36z Danovců připravení do boje — dvacet osm tisíc šest set; 37z Ašera ti, kteří táhli s armádou připravení do boje — čtyřicet tisíc; 38z druhé strany Jordánu z Rúbenovců, Gádovců a poloviny kmene Manasesova se všelijakými vojenskými válečnými zbraněmi — sto dvacet tisíc. 39Všichni tito bojovníci hotoví nastoupit na bojiště přišli s celým srdcem do Chebrónu ustanovit Davida králem nad celým Izraelem. Také všichni ostatní Izraelci byli jednomyslní, že ustanoví Davida králem. 40Byli tam s Davidem tři dny, jedli a pili, neboť jejich bratři jim to připravili. 41A také jejich příbuzní až z Isachara, Zabulóna a Neftalího přiváželi potravu na oslech, velbloudech, mezcích a volech — moučná jídla, koláče z lisovaných fíků, sušené hrozny, víno, olej, skot a brav v hojnosti, neboť v Izraeli byla radost.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 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 (
1Chr 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,
1Chr 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
Judg 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 to David, though he was
in the hold in the wilderness (
1Chr 12:8), probably some of his strong holds in the wilderness of Engedi. They were but few, eleven in all, here named, but they added much to David's strength. Those that had hitherto come in to his assistance were most of them men of broken fortunes, distressed, discontented, and soldiers of fortune, that came to him rather for protection than to do him any service,
1Sam 22:2. But these Gadites were brave men,
men of war, and fit for the battle, 1Chr 12:8. For, 1. They were
able-bodied men, men of incredible swiftness, not to fly from, but to fly upon, the enemy, and to pursue the scattered forces. In this they were
as swift as the roes upon the mountains, so that no man could escape from them; and yet they had
faces like the faces of lions, so that no man could out-fight them. 2. They were disciplined men, trained up to military exercises; they could handle shield and buckler, use both offensive and defensive weapons. 3. They were officers of the militia in their own tribe (
1Chr 12:14), so that though they did not bring soldiers with them they had them at command, hundreds, thousands. 4. They were daring men, that could break through the greatest difficulties. Upon some expedition or other, perhaps this to David, they swam over the Jordan, when it
overflowed all its banks, 1Chr 12:15. Those are fit to be employed in the cause of God that can venture thus in a dependence upon the divine protection. 5. They were men that would go through with the business they engaged in. What enemies those were that they met with in the valleys, when they had passed Jordan, does not appear; but they put them to flight with their lion-like faces, and pursued them with matchless fury, both
towards the east and towards the west; which way soever they turned, they followed their blow, and did not do their work by halves.
III. Some of Judah and Benjamin came to him,
1Chr 12:16. Their leader was Amasai, whether the same with that Amasa that afterwards sided with Absalom (
2Sam 17:25) or no does not appear. Now here we have,
1. David's prudent treaty with them,
1Chr 12:17. He was surprised to see them, and could not but conceive some jealousy of the intentions of their coming, having been so often in danger by the treachery of the men of Ziph and the men of Keilah, who yet were all men of Judah. He might well be timorous whose life was so much struck at; he might well be suspicious who had been deceived in so many that he said, in his haste,
All men are liars. No marvel that he meets these men of Judah with caution. Observe,
(1.) How he puts the matter to themselves, how fairly he deals with them. As they are, they shall find him; so shall all that deal with the Son of David. [1.] If they be faithful and honourable, he will be their rewarder:
If you have come peaceably unto me, to help me, though you have come late and have left me exposed a great while, though you bring no great strength with you to turn the scale for me, yet I will thankfully accept your good-will, and
my heart shall be knit unto you; I will love you and honour you, and do you all the kindness I can. Affection, respect, and service, that are cordial and sincere, will find favour with a good man, as they do with a good God, though clogged with infirmities, and turning to no great account. But, [2.] If they be false, and come to betray him into the hands of Saul, under colour of friendship, he leaves them to God to be their avenger, as he is, and will be, of every thing that is treacherous and perfidious. Never was man more violently run upon, and run down, than David was (except the Son of David himself), and yet he had the testimony of his conscience that there was no wrong in his hands. He meant no harm to any man, which was his rejoicing in the day of evil, and enabled him, when he feared treachery, to commit his cause to him that judges righteously. He will not be judge in his own cause, though a wise man, nor avenge himself, though a man of valour; but let the righteous God, who hath said,
Vengeance is mine, do both.
The God of our fathers look thereon and rebuke it. (2.) In this appeal observe, [1.] He calls God the
God of our fathers, both his fathers and theirs. Thus he reminded them not to deal ill with him; for they were both descendants from the same patriarchs, and both dependents on the same God. Thus he encouraged himself to believe that God would right him if he should be abused; for he was the
God of his fathers and therefore a blessing was entailed on him, and a God to all Israel and therefore not only a Judge to all the earth, but particularly concerned in determining controversies between contesting Israelites. [2.] He does not imprecate any fearful judgement upon them, though they should deal treacherously, but very modestly refers his cause to the divine wisdom and justice: The Lord
look thereon, and judge as he sees (for he sees men's hearts), and
rebuke it. It becomes those that appeal to God to express themselves with great temper and moderation; for the wrath of man
works not the righteousness of God.
2. Their hearty closure with him,
1Chr 12:18. Amasai was their spokesman, on whom the
Spirit of the Lord came, not a spirit of prophecy, but a spirit of wisdom and resolution, according to the occasion, putting words into his mouth, unpremeditated, which were proper both to give David satisfaction and to animate those that accompanied him. Nothing could be said finer, more lively, or more pertinent to the occasion. For himself and all his associates, (1.) He professed a very cordial adherence to David, and his interest, against all that opposed him, and a resolution to stand by him with the hazard of all that was dear to him:
Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse. In calling him
son of Jesse they reminded themselves that he was lineally descended from Nahshon and Salmon, who in their days were princes of the tribe of Judah. Saul called him so in disdain (
1Sam 20:27;
1Sam 22:7), but they looked upon it as his honour. They were convinced that God was on his side; and therefore,
Thine are we, David, and on thy side. It is good, if we must side, to side with those that side with God and have God with them. (2.) He wished prosperity to David and his cause, not drinking a health, but praying for peace to him and all his friends and well-wishers:
Peace, peace, be unto thee, all the good thy heart desires, and
peace be to thy helpers, among whom we desire to be reckoned, that peace may be on us. (3.) He assured him of help from heaven:
For thy God helpeth thee; therefore we wish peace may be, and therefore we doubt not but peace shall be, to thee and thy helpers. God is thy God, and those that have him for their God no doubt have him for their helper in every time of need and danger. From these expressions of Amasai we may take instruction how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus. His we must be without reservation or power of revocation. On his side we must be forward to appear and act. To his interest we must be hearty well-wishers: Hosanna! prosperity to his gospel and kingdom; for his God helpeth him, and will till he shall have put down all opposing rule, principality, and power.
3. David's cheerful acceptance of them into his interest and friendship. Charity and honour teach us to let fall our jealousies as soon as satisfaction is given us:
David received them, and preferred them to be
captains of the band. IV. Some of Manasseh likewise joined with him, v. 19. Providence gave them a fair opportunity to do so when he and his men marched through their country upon this occasion. Achish took David with him when he went out to fight with Saul; but the lords of the Philistines obliged him to withdraw. We have the story,
1Sam 29:4, etc. In his return some great men of Manasseh, who had no heart to join with Saul against the Philistines struck in with David, and very seasonably, to help him
against the band of Amelekites who plundered Ziklag; they were not many, but they were all mighty men and did David good service upon that occasion, 1 Sa. 30. See how Providence provides. David's interest grew strangely just when he had occasion to make use of it,
1Chr 12:22. Auxiliary forces flocked in daily,
till he had a great host. When the promise comes to the birth, leave it to God to find strength to bring forth.
23 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 (
1Chr 11:1, and before
2Sam 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,
1Chr 12:23. We may observe here,
I. That those tribes that lived nearest brought the fewest - Judah but 6800 (
1Chr 12:24), Simeon but 7100 (
1Chr 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, (1Chr:12:26-28).
III. Even some of the kindred of Saul came over to David (
1Chr 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 (
1Chr 12:25,
1Chr 12:28,
1Chr 12:30), of others that they were
expert in war (
1Chr 12:35,
1Chr 12:36), and of them all that they
could keep rank, 1Chr 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 (
1Chr 12:24,
1Chr 12:33,
1Chr 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 (
Deut 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, Judg 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 (
1Chr 12:38), and particularly of the men of Zebulun that they were
not of double heart, 1Chr 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,
1Chr 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,
1Chr 12:39,
1Chr 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, Qoh 10:19) upon this occasion, for there was
joy in Israel, 1Chr 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.