1 Chronicles 12:1 - Meaning and Application

This passage tells us about the men who came to David after Saul died, helping bring about the change in rule. While David was being hunted, he had only 600 men with him, and they served mainly as his guards. But when the time came for him to move from hiding to open action, God provided more helpers.

Even while David stayed hidden because of Saul, and did not call people to join him, God was already stirring them to come at the right time (1 Chronicles 12:1). David did not see Saul’s death coming, but God was already preparing support for him. Those who trust God to carry out his work in his own way and time will find that his care goes beyond their plans and guesses. The war belonged to God, and he raised up helpers for it, so their willingness to support the man God had chosen for rule is recorded as an honor to them.

Some of Saul’s own relatives from the tribe of Benjamin came over to David (1 Chronicles 12:2). We are not told exactly what moved them, but perhaps they were angered by Saul’s shameful treatment of David, since Saul was one of their own tribe. These Benjamites were skilled fighters, trained to shoot arrows and sling stones with either hand. They were capable, quick men, and a few of them could do David much good. Several of their leaders are named in the chapter.

Others came from the tribe of Gad, east of the Jordan River. Even though they lived far from David, they were convinced that he had the right to rule and was fit for it, so they separated from their relatives and went to him in his stronghold in the wilderness, likely in the strong places of En Gedi (1 Chronicles 12:8). There were only eleven of them, but they greatly strengthened David. Most of the people who had come to him before were broken men, men in distress, dissatisfied men, and soldiers who had little to lose and came mainly for protection (1 Samuel 22:2). These Gadites were different. They were brave soldiers, well suited for battle.

They were strong, fast men, so swift they could chase down enemies as easily as deer on the hills, and so fierce that no one could stand against them. They were trained soldiers who knew how to handle both shield and buckler, meaning both defensive and offensive weapons. They were also officers in their own tribe, so although they did not bring ordinary soldiers with them, they had many under their command, hundreds and thousands (1 Chronicles 12:14). They were daring enough to cross the Jordan at flood stage, which shows how much they trusted God’s protection (1 Chronicles 12:15). People fit for God’s work must be willing to take such risks in faith. They also followed through on what they began. Once they crossed over, they struck their enemies and pursued them without stopping, to the east and to the west, finishing the work completely.

Then some men from Judah and Benjamin also came to David (1 Chronicles 12:16). Their leader was Amasai, though it is not clear whether he was the same Amasa who later supported Absalom (2 Samuel 17:25). David was careful when he saw them, because he had often been betrayed before by men from Judah, such as the men of Ziph and Keilah. It was understandable that he was cautious, because his life had been targeted so often. He had learned, by painful experience, that many people could not be trusted.

David dealt with them fairly. He put the matter plainly before them, and he was honest about how he would treat them. If they came in peace to help him, even if they came late and brought little strength, he would gladly receive them. Their good will would be welcome, and his heart would be bound to them. Sincere affection, respect, and service find favor with a good man, just as they do with a good God, even when they are imperfect and seem small. But if they came to betray him, he left that matter with God, who judges fairly and will deal with treachery.

No one was more fiercely attacked and driven down than David, except the Son of David, Jesus. Yet David could honestly say that his hands were clean. He meant no harm to anyone, and that gave him comfort in his trouble. It also helped him, when he feared betrayal, to trust his case to the one who judges rightly. He would not take judgment into his own hands, even though he was wise and brave. He left vengeance to the righteous God, who has said, “Vengeance is mine.” The God of our fathers, David says, look on this and rebuke it.

In that appeal, David calls God the God of our fathers, both his fathers and theirs. He was reminding them not to treat him badly, since they all came from the same ancestors and depended on the same God. He was also encouraging himself, because if God was the God of his fathers, then blessing was bound up with that covenant relationship. Since God is the God of all Israel, he is not only the judge of all the earth, but is especially concerned with disputes between Israelites.

David does not call down any harsh judgment on them, even if they were acting treacherously. He simply asks the Lord to look at the matter and judge as he sees fit, because God sees the heart, and rebuke the wrong. Those who appeal to God should speak with restraint and calm, because human anger does not produce the righteousness of God.

Amasai was their spokesman, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. This was not a spirit of prophecy, but a spirit of wisdom and courage suited to the moment. God gave him the right words at the right time, without planning them ahead, and they were exactly what David needed to hear, and what would stir up the men with him.

Amasai spoke for himself and for all his men. He declared their full loyalty to David and his cause, even if it cost them everything dear to them: “We are yours, David, and on your side, son of Jesse.” By calling him “son of Jesse,” they were reminding themselves that David came from the royal line of Judah, through Nahshon and Salmon, who were leaders in their time. Saul used that title in scorn (1 Samuel 20:27; 1 Samuel 22:7), but these men treated it as an honor.

They were convinced that God was with David, and that was enough reason to take his side. It is wise, when we must choose a side, to stand with those who stand with God and have God with them.

Amasai also wished peace and success for David and his supporters. He was not offering a casual toast, but praying that all good would come to David, to his helpers, and to all who wished him well. He was saying, in effect, “May peace be yours, and may peace be ours as your friends and allies.”

He also pointed to the real source of David’s strength: “Your God helps you.” Because God was helping David, they could pray for peace and trust that peace would come. If God is a man’s God, then God will also be his helper in every time of need and danger.

From Amasai’s words, we can learn how to show our love and loyalty to the Lord Jesus. We must belong to him without reserve, with no intention of taking it back. We should be ready to stand for his cause and act for his honor. We should sincerely desire the success of his gospel and kingdom, because his God helps him, and will continue until he has put down every opposing rule, power, and authority.

David welcomed these men gladly and accepted them into his friendship and service. Charity and honor both tell us to let go of suspicion once trust has been given. He received them and made them captains of the band.

Some of the men of Manasseh also joined David (1 Chronicles 12:19). Providence gave them a good chance to do this when David and his men passed through their territory. Achish had taken David with him to fight against Saul, but the Philistine leaders forced David to withdraw. The story is told in 1 Samuel 29:4 and following.

On David’s return, some leading men of Manasseh, who had no desire to help Saul against the Philistines, came over to David. They did so at just the right time, helping him against the Amalekite band that had plundered Ziklag. They were not many, but they were all mighty men, and they did David real service on that occasion (1 Samuel 30).

See how providence provides. David’s support grew quickly just when he needed it most (1 Chronicles 12:22). Help came in from all sides until he had a great army. When God brings a promise to the point of fulfillment, we should leave it to him to supply the strength needed to complete it.