Chapter 12 provides details to the mass number of warriors who joined David’s army for the purpose of helping David become king. At the time of these events, Saul was trying to kill David because Saul had become Jealous of David’s popularity with the people and favor from the Lord (Check out our 1 Samuel 18 lesson).
The chapter begins, “The following men joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who fought beside David in battle. All of them were expert archers, and they could shoot arrows or sling stones with their left hand as well as their right. They were all relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin.” (1 Chronicles 12:1-2) Wow…even Saul’s own relatives were against him!
Skilled warriors from across the land came to support David. When men from Benjamin and Judah showed up, “David went out to meet them and said, “If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see and judge you.” Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who later became a leader among the Thirty, and he said,
“We are yours, David! We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace and prosperity be with you, and success to all who help you, for your God is the one who helps you.”
So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops.” (1 Chronicles 12:17-18)
“Day after day more men joined David until he had a great army, like the army of God. These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as the Lord had promised.” (1 Chronicles 12:22-23)
From the tribe of Judah, there were 6,800 warriors, Simeon 7,100 warriors, Levi 4,600, Benjamin, Saul’s relatives, there were 3,000 warriors, Ephraim 20,800 warriors, Manasseh west of the Jordan 18,000, Issachar 200 leaders and all their relatives, Zebulun 50,000, Naphtali 38,000 total men, Dan 28,600, Asher 40,000, and from the east side of the Jordan where the tribes of Rueben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived...120,000 warriors.
“All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king of Israel. In fact, all Israel agreed that David should be their king. They feasted and drank with David for three days, for preparations had been made by their relatives for their arrival. And people from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, and sheep were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel.” (1 Chronicles 12:38-40)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for providing us with allies as great as your army. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
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