1 Chron. 12 The companies that came to David at Ziklag, when pursued by Saul: some of Saul’s own family; some of the tribe of Gad; of Benjamin; and Judah; and Manasseh, 1 Chron. 12:1–22. The armies that came to him at Hebron; their feast, 1 Chron. 12:23–40.

While he yet kept himself close, or, was shut up, or shut out, from his own land and people; for he speaks not of that time when he was shut up and hid himself in caves in the land of Judah, but when he was at Ziklag.

Could use both the right hand and the left, with like nimbleness and certainty. Compare Judg. 3:15, Judg. 20:16. Of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin, i.e. of Saul’s own tribe; who were moved hereunto by God’s Spirit, and by the conscience of their duty to David, to whom God had given the crown in…

Over the thirty, i.e. who came attended with thirty valiant Benjamites, and was their leader and commander.

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.

Not that they brought now so many men with them; but either, 1. They had hitherto been captains or colonels under Saul, or in the established militia or bands of their tribe. Or, 2. They were so afterwards under David, who for their valour and fidelity thus advanced them.

They that went over Jordan, to wit, in Saul’s time, when, it seems, the enemies of the Israelites had made an inroad, and done some mischiefs to the Israelites beyond Jordan, to whose help these then came. When it had overflown all his banks; as it commonly did about that time. See Josh.

To the same hold mentioned 1 Chron. 12:8, See Poole “1 Chron. 12:8”

And answered, i. e. spake, as that word is oft used in Scripture, even of him that speaketh first. Mine heart shall be knit unto you; I shall ever esteem and love you, and show this by my actions to you hereafter.

The Spirit came upon Amasai; not only saving graces, but other heroical and generous motions, are ascribed to God’s Spirit, which here stirred up in him a more than ordinary greatness and presentness of mind and resolution.

They helped them not, i.e. the Manassites here named, and the rest of David’s forces, to whom they had now joined themselves, did not help the Philistines in battle, as David had pretended to do.

As he went to Ziklag; as he returned from the camp of the Philistines to Ziklag, 1 Sam. 29:11.

Against the band of the rovers, i.e. against the Amalekites who had taken and burned Ziklag, whom David and his six hundred men were now pursuing, whom these accompanied in that expedition. Or, with a band or troop of soldiers, which they brought along with them to David’s assistance.

At that time, i.e. while he was at Ziklag, and in his march to Hebron, and principally at Hebron, as the next verse explains it. Like the host of God, i.e. innumerable, like the stars or angels, both which are called God’s hosts. Otherwise, the host of God, i.e.

Whereby he had settled the crown upon David after Saul’s death.

Who came hither in the name of all their brethren; for that whole tribe stuck to David at his very first coming to Hebron.

The leader of the Aaronites; not the high priest, for that was Abiathar, 1 Sam. 23:6; but one of eminent place under him, and who had a great power and interest among his brethren.

Zadok; thought to be the same who was made high priest in Solomon’s time, 1 Kings 2:35; which if true, he was very young at this time. Twenty and two captains, whom he brought along with him.

i.e. Endeavoured to keep the crown in their own tribe, and in Saul’s family.

Of the half tribe of Manasseh, which was within Jordan; for of the other half beyond Jordan he speaks 1 Chron. 12:37. Which were expressed by name; which were not ashamed nor afraid publicly to own David, first by putting their names to some paper presented to them for that purpose, and then by…

Understanding of the times; either, 1. Skill in the stars, and several seasons and changes of the air; which might be of good use in husbandry, to which this tribe was addicted Gen. 49:14, Deut. 33:18. Or rather, 2.

Of Zebulun fifty thousand; for this tribe being next to that of Issachar, which was generally well affected to David, were probably very much swayed by their opinion and advice.

To wit, after the death of Abner and Ish-bosheth.

They that were nigh them; that lived not far from Hebron, the place where they now were. Unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali: this is added by way of amplification and explication, to show that he did not understand this of those Israelites only who lived in the neighbourhood of Hebron, but of…