And they helped David against the band of the rovers ,.... The Amalekites, who, while he was gone with the Philistines, had seized on Ziklag, and burnt it, and carried the women captive, with what spoil they could make; these coming to David thus opportunely, assisted him in his pursuit and defeat of them: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host ; or army of David. read more
The band . The band referred to is evidently that of Amalek in 1 Samuel 30:8 , 1 Samuel 30:9 . Were captains; better, became captains. read more
The band of the rovers - See the marginal reference. read more
1 Chronicles 12:21-22. They helped David against the band, &c. Against the Amalekites, who had taken and burned Ziklag, and whom David and his six hundred men were now pursuing. Or, as in the margin, with a band, or troop of soldiers, which they brought along with them to David’s assistance. They were all mighty men of valour Therefore they readily came to David’s help. At that time, day by day While David was at Ziklag, and in his march to Hebron, and principally at Hebron. ... read more
David made king (11:1-12:40)It seems clear that the writer of Chronicles assumes that his readers have already read the books of Samuel and Kings. (In this commentary also it is assumed that the reader has read these books. For further details see notes and maps at the relevant places in Samuel and Kings, and the appendix at the end of Chronicles.)In view of his readers’ assumed knowledge, the Chronicler makes no attempt to record events that have little to do with his central purpose. For... read more
helped David = helped with David. the band: i.e. the Amalekites, who had burned Ziklag during his absence. See 1 Samuel 30:1-20 . It is assumed that we know of this. read more
21, 22. they helped David against the band—that is, the Amalekites who had pillaged Ziklag in David's absence. This military expedition was made by all his men (1 Samuel 30:9), who, as David's early helpers, are specially distinguished from those who are mentioned in the latter portion of the chapter. read more
Various StatisticsThis chapter is entirely supplementary to what is related in 2 S, and gives particulars respecting certain companies that joined David at various times, and the numbers that came to crown David at Hebron.2. The right hand and the left] For this faculty in connexion with Benjamin cp. Judges 3:15; Judges 20:15, Judges 20:16. Saul’s brethren] i.e. fellow-tribesmen: cp. 1 Chronicles 12:29. 4. Among the thirty] not included in the lists of 2 Samuel 23:24. 1 Chronicles 11:26., and... read more
(19-22) The seven Manassite chieftains who went over to David on the eve of Saul’s last battle. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:1-22
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 (1 Chron. 12:1), while he did not appear, to invite or encourage his friends and well-wishers to come in to him... read more