1 Chronicles 12:8 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:8

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David, into the hold to the wilderness ,.... Men of the tribe of Gad, who lived on the other side Jordan; these separated themselves from the rest of their tribe, from their families and dwellings, and from the government of Saul, and came over to David, and joined him either when he was in some strong hold in the wilderness of Ziph, or Maon, 1 Samuel 23:14 , or, as some think, when he was at Ziklag, in the hold there, said to be in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:8

And were as swift as the roes - That swiftness was considered to be a grand accomplishment in a warrior, appears from all ancient writings which treat of military affairs. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:8

As 1 Chronicles 12:1 is introduced by the description of those who came together "to David to Ziklag" at a certain time, so it seems evident that this verse introduces the mention of certain others who befriended David at another time, by coming to him into the hold to the wilderness . These others were Gadites in part, and the hold none more likely than that of Adullam ( 1 Chronicles 12:16 of last chapter), although the word here employed ( לַמְצַד ) for "hold" is a different... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:8

Into the hold to the wilderness - Rather, “into the hold toward the wilderness.” Some understand by this Ziklag, some En-gedi 1 Samuel 24:1-2; but it seems most probable that here and in 1 Chronicles 12:16 the stronghold of Adullam is intended 1 Chronicles 11:15-16. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 12:8

1 Chronicles 12:8. There separated themselves From Saul, to whom they had hitherto adhered, and from their brethren of their own tribe, who yet maintained Saul’s cause; and from their families, and the places where they lived, from whom they went to David. Into the hold to the wilderness Or rather, into the hold of the wilderness; that is, either to the cave of Adullam or Engedi, or rather to Ziklag, which was in the wilderness of Judah, and may be here called the hold or fortress, ... 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 12:8

separated themselves. Another example of how Judah came to be representative of the whole of Israel. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 . men of might. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 . buckler. Hebrew = spear. But some codices, with one early printed edition and Syriac, read "buckler". Compare Jeremiah 46:3 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:8

THE GADITES DEFECT TO DAVID IN HIS WILDERNESS DAYS"And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains: Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, Mishmammah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, and Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:8

1 Chronicles 12:8. Like the faces of lions— See 2Sa 1:23; 2 Samuel 2:18. read more