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Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:9-13

Ezer the first ,.... This, and those that follow, are the names of the Gadites given, according to their age, or merit, or order in coming to David: Obadiah, Eliab, Mishmannah, Jeremiah, Attai, Eliel, Johanan, Elzabad, Jeremiah, Machbanai; in all eleven. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:14

These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host ,.... Of the militia in their own country, and of the men they brought with them; or they were such afterwards in David's army: one of the least was over one hundred, and the greatest over thousand ; not that they were so when they came, or brought over such a number of men with them under their command; but they were promoted by David, when he came to the throne, to be centurions and chiliarchs; according to Jarchi, the sense is, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:15

These are they that went over Jordan in the first month ,.... The month Nisan or Ab; as they must come over Jordan to come to David, since they dwelt on the other side of it: when it had overflown all its banks ; as it did at this time of the year, see Joshua 3:15 which is observed to show both the time of the year when they came over, and their zeal and ardour to assist David, and their boldness and intrepidity; fearless of danger, they threw themselves into Jordan, and swam over it,... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 12:15

In the first month - Perhaps this was the month Nisan, which answers to a part of our March and April. This was probably before the snows on the mountains were melted, just as Jordan began to overflow its banks; or if we allow that it had already overflowed its banks, it made their attempt more hazardous, and afforded additional proof of their heroism. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:9-13

The eleven names of these verses are all known elsewhere, but none of them as designating the same persons. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 12:14

One of the least was over an hundred . This, evidently an incorrect translation, is easily superseded by the correct literal version, One to a hundred the little one , and the great one one to a thousand. The preposition lamed prefixed to the two numerals, "hundred" and "thousand," will signify either that the "little one was as good as a hundred, and the great one as good as a thousand;" or that the "little one was rare as one of a hundred, and the great one rare as one of a... read more

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