12:1 Now these [are] they that came to David to a 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.
(a) To take his part against Saul: who persecuted him.
12:2 [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 b brethren of Benjamin.
(b) That is, of the tribe of Benjamin, of which Saul was,
and in which were excellent throwers with slings,
(Jdg 20:16).
12:8 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 c lions,
and [were] as swift as the roes upon the mountains;
(c) Meaning, fierce and terrible.
12:15 These [are] they that went over Jordan in the d 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.
(d) Which the Hebrews called Nisan, or Abib, containing
half March and half April, when Jordan was wont to
overflow its banks, read (Jos 3:15).
12:18 Then the e 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.
(e) The spirit of boldness and courage moved him to speak
thus.
12:19 And there fell [some] of Manasseh to David, when he came
with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they f
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.
(f) They came only to help David, and not to help the
Philistines, who were enemies of their country.
12:21 And they helped David against the g band [of the
rovers]: for they [were] all mighty men of valour, and
were captains in the host.
(g) That is, of the Amalekites who had burned the city of
Ziklag, (1Sa 30:1,9).
12:22 For at [that] time day by day there came to David to help
him, until [it was] a great host, like the host of h
God.
(h) Meaning, mighty or strong, for the Hebrews say a
thing is of God when it is excellent.
12:27 And Jehoiada [was] the leader of the i Aaronites, and
with him [were] three thousand and seven hundred;
(i) Of the Levites who came by the descent of Aaron.
12:29 And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul,
three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had
k kept the ward of the house of Saul.
(k) That is, the greatest number took Saul's side.
12:32 And of the children of Issachar, [which were men] that had
understanding of the l times, to know what Israel ought
to do; the heads of them [were] two hundred; and all their
brethren [were] at their commandment.
(l) Men of good experience, who knew at all times what was
to be done.
12:38m All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with
a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all
Israel: and all the rest also of Israel [were] of one
heart to make David king.
(m) So that his whole host were 322,222.
12:39 And there they were with David three days, eating and
drinking: for their n brethren had prepared for them.
