1 Chronicles 12

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12

XII.1 Chronicles 12:0 is a sort of supplement to 1 Chronicles 11:0, and is throughout peculiar to the Chronicle. It contains two registers: (1) of the warriors who successively went over to David during his outlaw career (1 Samuel 22 ff.), 1 Chronicles 12:1-22; and (2) of the tribal representatives who crowned David at Hebron (forming an appendix to 1 Chronicles 11:1-3), 1 Chronicles 12:23-40.The first of these registers sub-divides into three smaller lists, viz., 1 Chronicles 12:1-22. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:1

(1) To Ziklag.—A place within the territory of Judah allotted to Simeon (Joshua 19:5; 1 Chronicles 4:30). The Philistines seized it, and Achish of Gath gave it to David, whose headquarters it remained sixteen months, until the death of Saul.While he yet kept himself close.—The Hebrew is concise and obscure, but the Authorised Version fairly renders it. David was still shut up in his stronghold, or restrained within bounds, because of, i.e., from dread of King Saul. Or perhaps the meaning is... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:1-7

(1-7) Men of Benjamin and Judah who joined David at Ziklag. (Comp. 1 Samuel 27:0) read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:2

(2) Armed with bows.—Literally, drawers of the bow (2 Chronicles 17:17).And could use.—They were ambidextrous “with stones, and with arrows on the bow.” The left-handed slingers of Benjamin were famous from of old. (Comp. Judges 20:16, and also 1 Chronicles 3:15.)Of Saul’s brethren—i.e., his fellow-tribesmen.Of Benjamin is added to make it clear that Saul’s immediate kinsmen are not intended. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 12:29.) read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:3

(3) The chief was Ahiezer.—Captain of the band. Heb., head.Shemaah.—Heb., Hashshemaah.The Gibeathite.—Of “Gibeah of Saul,” between Ramah and Anathoth (Isaiah 10:29); also called “Gibeah of Benjamin” (1 Chronicles 11:31; Judges 20:4).Jeziel.—So Hebrew margin; Hebrew text, Jezûel. (Comp. Peniel and Penuel.)Azmaveth.—Perhaps the warrior of Bahurim (1 Chronicles 11:33).Jehu the Antothite—of Anathoth, now Anâta (1 Chronicles 11:28). read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:4

(4) Ismaiah the Gibeonite.—Gibeon belonged to Benjamin (1 Chronicles 9:35), and 1 Chronicles 12:2 proves that Ismaiah was a Benjamite, not a Gibeonite in the strict sense of the term.A mighty man among the thirty.—The “thirty” must be the famous corps (1 Chronicles 11:25). Ismaiah’s name does not occur in the catalogue, perhaps because he died before it was drawn up.Over the thirty may mean that at one time he was captain of the band, or it may simply denote comparison—“a hero above the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:5

(5) Jerimoth.—A Benjamite name (1 Chronicles 7:7-8).Bealiah.—Baal is Jah. (Comp. Note on 1 Chronicles 8:33.) Such names indicate that “Baal” was once a title of the God of Israel.The Haruphite.—Nehemiah 7:24 mentions the “sons of Hariph” just before the “sons of Gibeon.” The Hebrew margin here is “Hariphite.” read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:6

(6) Five members of the Levitical clan Korah. The name “Elkanah” occurs thrice in the lineage of Heman, the Korhite musician (1 Chronicles 6:33 ff.), and in that of Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:22 ff.).Jesiah.—Heb., Yishshiyâhû; “Jahu is ray possession.” (Comp. Psalms 16:5.)Azareel is a priestly name. (See Nehemiah 11:13.) There must have been Levites about the Tabernacle at Gibeon. But these Korhites may have been members of the Judean clan Korah, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:43, but otherwise... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:7

(7) Sons of Jeroham of Gedor.—Jeroham is the name of a Benjamite clan (1 Chronicles 8:27); and two Benjamite chiefs are called “Zebadiah” (1 Chronicles 8:15; 1 Chronicles 8:17). On the other hand, “Gedor” was a town of Judah, south-west of Bethlehem (1 Chronicles 4:4). Some account for the appearance of Judæan names in a list purporting to relate to Benjaminites, by the assumption that the chronicler has welded two; lists into one; but towns did not always continue in the hands of the tribes to... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:8

(8) Separated themselves from the royalists of Gad, who clung to Saul.Into the hold to (towards) the wilderness.—Perhaps the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1; 1 Samuel 22:4), or one of David’s other haunts, the wooded Mount of Hachilah (1 Samuel 23:19), or the crag of Maon, or the rocks of En-gedi (1 Samuel 23:25; 1 Samuel 23:29). “Caves and holds” are mentioned together as refuges (Judges 6:2). In the earlier period of his outlawry, David found refuge in the natural fastnesses of Judæa.Men of... read more

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