1 Chronicles 12:16

1Ch 12:16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

Ver. 16. Then came the children of Benjamin and Judah.] The Benjamites might have been suspected to have come for a mischief to David, had they not brought the men of Judah with them, to attest their integrity.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch_12:16; 1Ch_12:18

And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

Recruits for King Jesus

I want to run a parallel between the case of David and that of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I. Here is a very commendable example. Many of these men of Judah and Benjamin went to join themselves to David.

1. Because they bad heard that he was the Lords anointed If Jesus be Gods anointed, let Him be your beloved.

2 Because of his personal excellences.

3. Because he was so misrepresented and abused by his enemies.

4. Because they believed that he had a great future before him.

II. A. cautious inquiry. See what David said to them.

1. He set before them the right way; He said, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you. Here are three questions--

(1) Do you come to Christ and accept Him?

(2) Do you come with a desire to maintain peace among your Christian brethren?

(3) Do you come with the intent of helping the Lord Jesus Christ to spread abroad His truth?

2. He set before them the wrong way: But if ye be come to betray me to my enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

Some betray the Lord Christ to His enemies--

1. By giving up the doctrines of the gospel.

2. By their inconsistent lives.

3. By apostasy.

III. A cordial enlistment. Thine are we, David, and on thy side, etc. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

David and his helpers

Man is not an independent being. He is dependent for his life, his thought, his feeling--dependent upon God his Creator and his Preserver. He is dependent for the comforts and conveniences of life--dependent upon his fellow-men. And he that seems perhaps to be the most independent amongst us, is after all the most dependent upon his fellows. Man was never made to be independent here. He was never made to be alone. Some such circumstances as these gave rise to the peculiar position of the son of Jesse, as we read of him in the text. David was then combating against a twofold enemy--Saul, the king, his predecessor in office, and the Philistines, the hereditary foes of Israel. Let us mark the concurrent circumstances of these times. Davids cause was not the winning side when these secessions broke off from the strength of Saul and attached themselves to the cause of the son of Jesse. He was as yet in point of numbers and of strength in a very small minority. He was not in power; and, so far as human appearances went, he was very far from power. Every appearance was against him. He himself, though the captain of a band, was a fugitive. And Saul was in power, for Saul was king. David is possessed of but scanty resources, but Saul can command the ways and the means and the supplies of a kingdom. And yet these men come, and they volunteer their services to the son of Jesse. They came not to the throne of one that rules, but they came to the cave of one that hides himself. No marvel that David should have suspected their proper aim, and should have inquired, inquisitively, as to the motive of their coming, as to the object of their visit in this the day of his distress and of his darkness. And this accounts for his inquiry in the verse preceding my text. We would learn from this text the value and the estimate to be set upon Christian co-operation. The downcast and the down-trodden may be rallied by a sympathising word, and may be aroused; and thus arise to his work and to his labour from the very consciousness that he is not altogether alone. Christian co-operation was given to Elijah. The assurance that God one day gave the Tishbite, that there were still seven thousand men who had not bowed the knee to Baal, mightily reassured the prophet. And when we come to inquire into the circumstances of this case a little further, respecting David, we are enabled to find out what was the kind of help, the quality of the help that he obtained. This may be judged of by considering the time in which the help was vouchsafed. As I have said, it was not in the time of his prosperity, but it was some time anterior to that, and in the time of his greatest adversity. Now, it is a law, or axiom, a practical law, that those men are most to be trusted in prosperity that have stood the firmest in the day of adversity. And verily, in practice, these men receive the reward of their fidelity. These men came and chose not the winning side; but there was a mark about even that declining interest--Thy God helpeth thee. That decided the question. If God be for David, what can Saul do against him? If God be for us, who can be against us? God is not forgetful of your work and labour of love which you have showed toward His name. Mark, for instance, His twelve--His chosen ones. They had attached themselves to the person of the lowly Jesus, when there was no mark of distinction, of royalty, of kingly power: at His call they obeyed. Never were there purer days in the Christian faith than when the Christian faith was persecuted. Thus was it with Davids auxiliaries: they looked not to the present adversity, but to the future glory. Thy God helpeth thee, was sufficient as an indication of what would be. These were powerful men. Their faces were like the faces of lions; bold as a lion; and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains. They were able to ford the depths of Jordan at its full, and in its overflowing, and to rout their enemies to the east and to the west. Truly, with such auxiliaries, David might well thank God, and take courage. But this was not all. His hopes begin to brighten, his prospects begin to look up. Day after day added its gradual increase to his army, until by and by it became a mighty host like unto the host of God. That is what the Scripture says. Each tribe sent its proportion. Thousands, tens of thousands, flocked to the standard of David, and enlisted in defence of the cause of the son of Jesse, until well-nigh half a million of men may be counted, from the enumeration of our context, as having resorted to his cause. This, from beginnings small, but good; this, from incipient stages scanty, yet hopeful. And all these men are well spoken of. They were mighty men of valour; they were ready armed; they were famous throughout the house of their fathers; they were no anonymous helpers, but it is said they were expressed by name to come and make David king. And the value of that help was great because it was a right hearty help--such a help as we need, such a help as is indispensable if we are to be helped at all. We want no halfhearted men, but we want men of God--they are the best, they are the surest, they are the safest, they are the most and the longest to be depended upon. Our experience of human helpers has been a chequered experience. Some that began with us have not continued; some from whom we expected much, perhaps, have broken down midway, departed from us, and went not with us to the work; some that promised nothing, and from whom we expected nothing, have been the most ready, and have been the foremost to come and say, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers. (R. Maguire, M. A.)

Fitness for the service of the great King

I. Intelligence is required.

II. Courage is required.

III. Unity is required.

IV. Enthusiasm is required. (J. Wolfendale.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

the children of Benjamin and Judah--It is probable that the Benjamites invited the Judahites to accompany them, in order to prevent David being suspicious of them. Their anticipations, as the result showed, were well founded. He did suspect them, but the doubts of David as to their object in repairing to him, were promptly dispelled by Amasai or Amasa, who, by the secret impulse of the Spirit, assured him of their strong attachment and their zealous service from a unanimous conviction that his cause was owned and blessed of God (Sa1 18:12-14).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(16) To the hold.—See Note on 1Ch_12:8.

(16-18) Some Benjamite and Judæan accessions. The names are not given, why we cannot tell.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16–18. Amasai and his Companions

16. to the hold] See 1Ch_12:8, notes.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And there fell some of Manasseh to David,.... Of the tribe of Manasseh; they took his part, and on his side, and joined him:

when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle; which was a strong proof of their cordial attachment to him:

but they helped them not: the Philistines; neither David nor his men, nor the Manassites that joined them:

for the lords of the Philistines, upon advisement; counsel taken among themselves: sent him away; that is, David and his men:

saying, he will fall to his master Saul, to the jeopardy of our heads; meaning, that he would go off with his troops to Saul, and betray them into his hands, and with their heads make his peace with him, see Sa1 29:4.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Hold, in Moab, (1 Kings xxii. 4.; Du Hamel; Menochius) or to Siceleg. The people of Benjamin come with those of Juda, to avoid suspicion. (Calmet)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

To the same hold mentioned 1Ch 12:8, See Poole "1Ch 12:8"

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

In addition to the Gadites, some others of Benjamin and Judah join David.

Vers. 16-18.

The offer of the upright, etc.

These verses suggest

I THE OFFER OF THE UPRIGHT. (Ver. 17.) David made this offer to the men of Benjamin and Judah in good faith. He did not mean one thing in the moment of danger, and another in the hour of security. He fully intended the thing he said; he was prepared, in the event of this band of men coming over to his side, to regard them with perfect favour and to give them a good place in his ranks. The maintenance of all our social activities depends on trustworthiness between man and man; therefore on honesty of thought arid integrity of word and deed in ordinary as well as extraordinary occasions. When uprightness is gone and confidence undermined, all security has vanished and everything is in confusion. The engagements of daily life, of trade and commerce, of all human industry, rest on morality and ultimately on religion.

II THE RESOURCE OF THE DEVOUT. (Ver. 17.) When David "went out to meet" those men, he placed himself (as I read the story) in their power. He made them an offer which they might accept or not. Accepting it, they would reinforce his army and strengthen his position; refusing it, they might avail themselves of his venture and get him into their power. This latter alternative he vigorously deprecates; but if they should abuse his confidence he has one resource the appeal to God. "If ye be come to betray me to mine enemies the God of our fathers rebuke it." In the last extremity the devout man can fall back on Divine interposition: "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us... and he will deliver us". (Dan_3:17) Things can never be so bad with the servants of righteousness but they have one valuable resource the appeal to God, his rebuke of the guilty, his succour of the upright. But it is only those who can say, "Seeing there is no wrong in mine hands," who have a consciousness of rectitude and reconciliation, that have this refuge in the hour of need.

III THE DECISION, INVOCATION, AND ACQUISITION OF THE WISE. (Ver. 18.)

1. The decision of the wise. Those who know what it is best to do will jointhemselves, not to the cause of the man who has forsaken God and whom he has forsaken the party of Saul, but to the side of him who serves God and whom he helps the party of David. He whom "his God helpeth" is the champion to whom we should attach ourselves and our interests.

2. The invocation of the wise. "Peace, peace be unto thee and unto thinehelpers." The thoughtless and "shallow-hearted" may wish for their friends the cup of pleasure, or a sceptre of power, or a wreath of glory; the wiser heart desires peace. There is no blessing so true, profound, abiding, as peace of mind, rest of heart, stillness of soul in God. 3 And this is the acquisition of the wise. "Peace be unto thee,... for thy God helpeth thee." If God be the Helper of our soul, as he is ready to be, as he will be to those who earnestly and perseveringly seek his aid; if he grant the helpful influence of his illumining, renewing, sanctifying, comforting Spirit, there will be peace, "great peace the "peace which passeth understanding," the peace of Christ himself. C. (Joh_14:27)

HOMILIES BY R. TUCK

Vers. 16-18.

Friends in adversity.

David appeared to have reached an extremity when he was compelled to escape from Gath and find shelter in the cave, hold, or possible fortress of Adullam. His fortunes then seemed to be at their lowest, and at first he must have felt utterly friendless and forsaken. Soon, however, his immediate relatives heard where he was, and presently those discontented with Saul"s rule gathered to him. The verses on which we are now dwelling narrate an incident connected with this assembling of people round David, and the point of interest is that among them some Benjamites came, who should properly have belonged to the party of Saul, and David found it necessary to put their friendliness to some testing. The incident may introduce the subject of human friendship. We note

I TIMES OF ADVERSITY TAKE AWAY OUR SEEMING FRIENDS. Many so-called friends are but "fair-weather friends," sharers of our prosperity and success. Really friends for the sake of what they can get by it. Illustration may be found in the parable of the prodigal son. When his money was gone his friends had gone too.

II TIMES OF ADVERSITY FIND OUT THE TRUE AMONG OUR FRIENDS, The test shows which are the faithful ones. They are not often the boastful and forward ones. Often they are those whom we have almost neglected. The true brother is "born for adversity," and only blossoms out in the shady night-times of calamity.

III TIMES OF ADVERSITY SURPRISE US WITH THE FRIENDS THEY BRING TO US. Beyond proving who are our real friends, they actually bring us new and unexpected friends, such as are really concerned for us and are full of earnest purpose to help us. Often we say that it is worth while getting into trouble, if only for the sake of the friends we find and prove.

IV TIMES OF ADVERSITY, ABOVE ALL THINGS ELSE, PROVE THE FAITHFULNESS OF OUR BEST FRIEND; he of whom it may truly be said, "He sticketh closer than a brother." He is indeed the Example of the man in adversity; and from his case we see how all forsook him and fled, even St. John not venturing to plead for him. And so Paul at the judgment-seat was alone, but he found the faithfulness of the best Friend: "Nevertheless the Lord stood by me. R.T.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And there fell some of Manasseh to David,.... Of the tribe of Manasseh; they took his part, and on his side, and joined him:

when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle; which was a strong proof of their cordial attachment to him:

but they helped them not: the Philistines; neither David nor his men, nor the Manassites that joined them:

for the lords of the Philistines, upon advisement; counsel taken among themselves: sent him away; that is, David and his men:

saying, he will fall to his master Saul, to the jeopardy of our heads; meaning, that he would go off with his troops to Saul, and betray them into his hands, and with their heads make his peace with him, see Sa1 29:4.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

men of Benjamin and Judah

"men from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah"

may the God of our ancestors see

What God will see may be supplied in translation. AT: "may the God of our ancestors see what you intend to do" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

translationWords

Benjamin

Judah

David

peace

betray

adversary

God

rebuke

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month in Nissan, when the snows had already melted.

and they put all the valley-dwellers to flight to the east and to the west They crossed the Jordan and with their shields split all the depths of the water to the east and to the west and crossed on dry land. Some say that ויַּבְרִיחוּ אֶת כָּל הָעֲמָקִִים refers to the people dwelling in the valleys.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.