1 CHRONICLES 12 - Warriors join David

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** This chapter in Chronicles outlines the warriors who joined David to increase his army and ensure he was king over all Israel

• Some warriors joined him at Hebron, some came from Manasseh and others from the Gadites

• Notice that many of the Gadite army commanders could hold their own against hundreds and thousands

1 Chronicles 12:8,14 NIV

[8] Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains. [14] These Gadites were army commanders; the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand.

1 Chronicles 12:22 NIV

[22] Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

1 Chronicles 12:38 NIV

[38] All these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks. They came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of the Israelites were also of one mind to make David king.

** The Lord confirmed to David that the warriors were on his side; a temporary empowerment by the Holy Spirit came upon the chief commander assuring their loyalty to David and that the cause was blessed by God  <M130>

1 Chronicles 12:17-18 NIV

[17] David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.” [18] Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

** The men of Issachar understood what was happening around them and how that would affect what they should do regarding Israel  <G70>

1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV

[32] from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do---200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command

** God used men who excelled in their relationship with Him to write the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation and guide its readers  <D40>

• God was the revealer, and they were the secretaries

• Their words continue to reveal God’s will for our lives

• They not only had a formidable relationship with the Lord, but understood the times they lived

• Likewise, God wants people to relate to Him and understand the times they live so they will know what to do

1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV

[32] from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do---200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

2 Peter 1:19 NIV

[19] We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

2 Peter 1:21 NIV

[21] For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

** Similar to the group from Issachar, it would be wise to keep tabs on what is happening in the world to not only forecast what could happen, but know what to do in response

• Two hundred chiefs of Issachar who were faithful to David were described as those who “understood the times and knew what Israel should do”

• Some portray the men of Issachar as politically astute, knowing how to use current events to their own advantage  <G72>

1 Chronicles 12:32 NIV

[32] from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do---200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command