1 Chronicles 12:21

(21) And they helped David against the band of the rovers.—So the Vulg. and Syr. The Heb. text has been called “brief and unintelligible,” and its explanation has been sought in 1Sa_30:8; 1Sa_30:15, where “the band” (haggedûd, as here) of Amalek, which had captured and burnt Ziklag in David’s absence, is spoken of. But why may we not render, “And these helped David over the band,” i.e., in the joint command of his forces. (Comp. 1Ch_12:18, “made them captains of the band.”) It is pretty clear that the names enumerated (1Ch_12:1-20) are those of captains and chiefs, not of ordinary warriors. (Comp, 1Ch_12:14; 1Ch_12:18.) Consequently 1Ch_12:21-22 form a subscription or concluding remark to the entire list.

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

1Ch 12:21-22. They helped David against the band, &c. — Against the Amalekites, who had taken and burned Ziklag, and whom David and his six hundred men were now pursuing. Or, as in the margin, with a band, or troop of soldiers, which they brought along with them to David’s assistance. They were all mighty men of valour — Therefore they readily came to David’s help. At that time, day by day — While David was at Ziklag, and in his march to Hebron, and principally at Hebron. There came to David — like the host of God — An innumerable multitude, like the stars or angels of God, both which are called God’s host.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

To wit, of the Amalekites which had burned the city Ziklag, 1 Sam. 30:1,9.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

they helped David against the band--that is, the Amalekites who had pillaged Ziklag in David's absence. This military expedition was made by all his men (Sa1 30:9), who, as David's early helpers, are specially distinguished from those who are mentioned in the latter portion of the chapter.

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

21. against the band of the rovers] The reference is to the Amalekites who burnt Ziklag (1Sa_30:1 ff). The Heb. word gĕdûd, here translated “band,” is translated “troop” (ib. 1Sa_30:8; 1Sa_30:15, R.V.).

and were captains] Render, and they became captains.

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.

All these men of war that could keep rank,.... Well disciplined men:

came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make David king over Israel; they were all of one mind, and quite hearty and sincere in fixing David on the throne of all Israel:

and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart also to make David king; those who came not were of the same mind; it was the unanimous voice of the people that he should be their king.

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

The band of the rovers - See the marginal reference.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Rovers of Amalec, 1 Kings xxx. 1.

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).

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.

They were all mighty men of valour; therefore they readily came to David’s help.

Were captains in the host; therefore they brought others along with them.

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

21. They helped David against the band — The predatory horde of Amalekites, which, during David’s absence, had fallen upon Ziklag, and taken the women and children captive. See 1 Samuel 30.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The band. The band referred to is evidently that of Amalek in 1Sa_30:8, 1Sa_30:9. Were captains; better, became captains.

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

Against - Against the Amalekites who had taken and burnt Ziklag, whom David and his six hundred men were now pursuing.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

All these men of war that could keep rank,.... Well disciplined men:

came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make David king over Israel; they were all of one mind, and quite hearty and sincere in fixing David on the throne of all Israel:

and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart also to make David king; those who came not were of the same mind; it was the unanimous voice of the people that he should be their king.

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.)

the roving bands

"the groups of robbers." This refers to groups of people who robbed people traveling through the countryside.

Day after day

"Each day"

a great army, like the army of God

Possible meanings are 1) the phrase "like the army of God" means "like an army that God assembled" or 2) the word "God" is used as an idiom that refers to the great size of the army. AT: "a very large army" (See: Idiom)

translationWords

commander

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