1 Chronicles 12:8 NIV

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:8

8-13. of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David—that is, from the service of Saul and from the rest of the Gadites who remained steadfast adherents of his cause. into the hold—or fortress, that is, of Ziklag, which was in the wilderness of Judah. whose faces were like the faces of lions, &c.—A fierce, lion-like countenance ( :-), and great agility in pursuit ( :-), were qualities of the highest estimation in ancient warfare. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:1-40

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

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Chronicles 12:8-18

(8-18) A. list of Gadites, and an account of a band of Judæans and Benjammites who joined David in the stronghold (1 Chronicles 11:14) towards the desert of Judah. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:1-40

DAVID1. HIS TRIBE AND DYNASTYKING and kingdom were so bound up in ancient life that an ideal for the one implied an ideal for the other: all distinction and glory possessed by either was shared by both. The tribe and kingdom of Judah were exalted by the fame of David and Solomon: but, on the other hand, a specially exalted position is accorded to David in the Old Testament because he is the representative of the people of Jehovah. David himself had been anointed by Divine command to be king of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:1-40

2. David’s Warriors and Friends CHAPTER 12 1. The Benjamite warriors with David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:1-7 ) 2. The other warriors (1 Chronicles 12:8-22 ) 3. Those who came to make him king (1 Chronicles 12:23-40 ) And now those are given by name who stood by David, when he was an outcast, rejected and persecuted by Saul. They were mighty men, his helpers in war. The leading company were of Benjamin, the tribe to which Saul belonged. These joined him when he was at Ziklag. In the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:8

12:8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, [and] men of war [fit] for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces [were like] the faces of {c} lions, and [were] as swift as the roes upon the mountains;(c) Meaning, fierce and terrible. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:1-40

DAVID ’S REIGN THE DOWNFALL OF SAUL (1 Chronicles 10:0 ) In reading this chapter with whose general contents we became familiar in 1 Samuel 31:0 , it is important to note the inspired comment at its close (1 Chronicles 10:13-14 ). DAVID’S HEROES (1 Chronicles 11-12) In the history of David in this book, the writer dwells chiefly on its prosperous side, passing over the rest as lightly as possible. His anointing at Hebron (1 Chronicles 11:1-3 ) reveals nothing of what we learned earlier of... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Chronicles 12:1-40

Skilled Hands 1 Chronicles 12:0 THIS chapter is supplemental to the preceding, and has been described throughout as peculiar to the chronicle. Here we have two registers: the first is of the warriors who went over to David during his outlaw career, and the second is of the tribal representatives who crowned David at Hebron. There are two or three resting-places even in this chapter of names, where we may tarry for a moment and partake of spiritual refreshment. These resting-places are the more... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:1-15

The continued accumulation of David's forces, serves to remind us of the wonderful accession of converts to the Lord Jesus from every part. Oh! how truly lovely is it to behold souls flying to Christ, as a cloud, and as doves to their window. If David waxed stronger and stronger, surely our Almighty David's kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and that which shall endure to everlasting ages. read more