On the danger of the exploit, see the marginal reference note.This passage 1 Chronicles 12:8-15 seems to be taken verbatim from an ancient source, the poetical expressions in 1 Chronicles 12:8, 1 Chronicles 12:14, being especially unlike the usual style of our author. read more
Amasai - The marginal reference identifies him with Amasa, David’s nephew, but it seems unlikely that David would have misdoubted a band led by his own nephew.The passionate earnestness of Amasai’s speech is strongly marked in the original, and will be better seen by omitting the words which our Version adds in italics. Here, as in 1 Chronicles 12:8-15, we have manifestly the actual words of a very ancient record. read more
The band of the rovers - See the marginal reference. read more
Rather, “These are the numbers of the men, ready equipped for the host, that came to David, etc.”In the list which follows such points as(1) The large mumber sent by the trans-Jordanic tribes;(2) The large numbers from Zebulon, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan, all tribes somewhat remote, and generally speaking undistinguished;(3) The small size of the contingent from Judah, which is generally represented as numerically superior to every other tribe, and which might have been expected to be especially... read more
For hitherto ... - Rather, “For still the greatest part of them maintained their allegiance to the house of Saul.” This is given as the reason for so few coming to Hebron. It shows us that, even after the death of Ishbosheth, the Benjamites had hopes of furnishing a third king to the nation. read more
Men that had understanding of the times - This is best interpreted politically. Compare the marginal reference read more
Expert in war ... - Rather “arrayed for battle with all harness of battle, who set the battle in array with no double heart,” excelling, that is, in the matter of their arms and accoutrements. The writer notes in each tribe the point in which it was most admirable. read more
A.M. 2946. B.C. 1058. The companies that came to David at Ziklag, 1 Chronicles 12:1-22 . The armies that came to him at Hebron, 1 Chronicles 12:23-40 . read more
1 Chronicles 12:1. Now these are they that came to David, &c. This author thought fit to do those the honour of having their names recorded, (which was omitted in the book of Samuel,) who came and joined themselves to him when he was in exile; and were afterward great assistants to him in his wars. While he kept himself close Or was shut out from his own land and people: for the writer speaks not of that time when he was shut up, and hid himself in caves in the land of Judah, but when... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:14
The marginal rendering is preferable. (Compare Leviticus 26:8). read more