1 Chronicles 12:32 NLT

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:23-40

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 (1 Chron. 11:1; and before 2 Sam. 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, 1 Chron. 12:23. We may observe here, I. That those tribes that lived... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:23-37

And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war ,.... That were trained up to it, and accounted for it: and came to David to Hebron ; after the death of Ishbosheth and Abner, and when David had reigned seven years in Hebron: to turn the kingdom of Saul to him ; to transfer it to him and his family: according to the word of the Lord ; by Samuel, which they were acquainted with; and the number of those of the children of Judah, who made him their king... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:32

Children of Issachar - According to the Targum they were all astronomers and astrologers: "and the sons of Issachar, who had understanding to know the times, and were skilled in fixing the beginnings of years, the commencement of months, and the intercalation of months and years; skillful in the changes of the moon, and in fixing the lunar solemnities to their proper times; skillful also in the doctrine of the solar periods; astrologers in signs and stars, that they might show Israel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:32

Had understanding of the times ( 2 Chronicles 2:12 ; Esther 1:13 ; Job 24:1 ). Compare Tacitus, "gnarus temporum" ('Agricola,' §6). This verse does not tell the number of the "children," but only of the "heads" of Issachar . It is possible that the number has slipped out. The description of the characteristics of Issachar here seems an advance upon that of Genesis 49:14 , Genesis 49:15 . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:32

Men that had understanding of the times - This is best interpreted politically. Compare the marginal reference read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 12:32

1 Chronicles 12:32 . That had understanding of the times They understood public affairs, the temper of the nation, and the tendencies of the present events. And they showed their wisdom at this time; for as they had adhered to Saul, while he lived, as knowing the time was not yet come for David to take possession of the kingdom; and as they could not join David, while Abner lived, and had the command of the other tribes wherewith they were encompassed, so, as soon as he was dead, and they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:1-40

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Chronicles 12:32

had understanding. Understood statesmanship. the times. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), put for what is (or ought to be) done in them. commandment. Hebrew mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is commanded by it. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:32

1 Chronicles 12:32. Children of Issachar—that had understanding of the times— See Genesis 49:15. To know what Israel ought to do; that is, says Houbigant, when the passover, the feast of pentecost, and the new moons were to be celebrated; a meaning plainly to be inferred from the foregoing words, and agreeable to Jacob's prediction concerning Issachar. REFLECTIONS.—1st, As the time drew nearer for David's accession to the throne, God, in whose hand are the hearts of all men, appears here... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:32

32. children of Issachar, . . . that had understanding of the times, c.—Jewish writers say that the people of this tribe were eminent for their acquirements in astronomical and physical science and the object of the remark was probably to show that the intelligent and learned classes were united with the military, and had declared for David. read more