1 Chronicles 12:19

SOME OF THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH COME TO DAVID

"Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not; for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozebad, and Elihu, and Zilethai, captains of thousands that were of Manasseh. And they helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the host. For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great host, like the host of God."

"When he (David) came with the Philistines against Saul" (1 Chronicles 12:19). A full account of what is here mentioned is given in 1 Samuel 29. (See that reference for our notes regarding it.) It was upon that occasion that some of the tribe of Manasseh united with David. It was a timely addition to David's forces, because he fought a battle against the Amalekites immediately afterward.

"Captains of thousands" (1 Chronicles 12:20). This evidently refers to positions these defectors to David had with the tribe of Manasseh; but there is no statement here that they brought their `thousands' with them to David's cause. Nevertheless, the death of Saul that followed very quickly very likely afforded an opportunity for adding many thousands to David's army.

"They helped David against the band of rovers" (1 Chronicles 12:21). This band of rovers was that of the Amalekites who had plundered Ziklag during David's trip with the Philistines to mount Gilboa. (See my commentary on 1 Samuel 30 for a full discussion of that Amalekite raid on Ziklag and David's victory over them afterward.)

"Until there was a great host, like the host of God" (1 Chronicles 12:22). This is a reference to the ultimate rally of all Israel to the kingship of David and should not be understood as applicable to the period of David's long contest against Saul.

The remaining verses of this chapter leap forward seven years and a half to the crowning of David as king over all Israel, completely ignoring his seven and a half years as king in Hebron.