1 Chronicles 12:14 kjv
These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.
1 Chronicles 12:14 nkjv
These were from the sons of Gad, captains of the army; the least was over a hundred, and the greatest was over a thousand.
1 Chronicles 12:14 niv
These Gadites were army commanders; the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand.
1 Chronicles 12:14 esv
These Gadites were officers of the army; the least was a match for a hundred men and the greatest for a thousand.
1 Chronicles 12:14 nlt
These warriors from Gad were army commanders. The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand!
1 Chronicles 12 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 12:8 | "Some of the Gadites joined David... fierce warriors, ready for battle, who could handle shield and spear; their faces were like the faces of lions, and they were swift as gazelles on the mountains." | Direct description of Gadites, similar imagery of ferocity. |
| 2 Sam 23:8 | "These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth a Tahchemonite... he killed 800 men at one time." | Illustrates the individual prowess of David's other warriors. |
| Deut 32:30 | "How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had given them up?" | Principle of divine enablement allowing few to defeat many. |
| Lev 26:8 | "Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight..." | God's promise of victory through numerical disadvantage as a blessing. |
| Josh 23:10 | "One man of you puts to flight a thousand, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you." | Reinforces divine involvement in disproportionate victories. |
| Judg 7:7-22 | Gideon's 300 men defeating the vast Midianite army. | God deliberately reduces army size to show divine power. |
| Ps 18:29 | "For by you I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall." | Acknowledging divine strength for impossible feats. |
| Ps 144:1 | "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle." | God is the source of martial skill and effectiveness. |
| Isa 30:17 | "A thousand shall flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you shall flee, till you are left like a flagpole on a mountaintop, like a signal on a hill." | Divine judgment causing disproportionate rout. |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | New Testament parallel to spiritual strength and capability. |
| Heb 11:34 | "who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." | General principle of faith leading to great acts, including military valor. |
| Rom 8:31 | "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" | Assurance that God's presence makes one unstoppable. |
| 1 Chr 12:15 | "These are the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks..." | Demonstrates their daring, courage, and dedication to David. |
| 1 Sam 22:1-2 | "And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him." | Contrast of these elite warriors with others who joined David early. |
| Ps 27:1 | "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" | Underlines courage derived from divine trust. |
| Matt 12:30 | "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." | Spiritual principle of aligning with the rightful king/cause. |
| Col 3:23 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." | Emphasizes diligence and excellence in all tasks for God. |
| Prov 28:1 | "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." | Links righteousness to courage and effectiveness in spiritual battle. |
| 2 Tim 2:3-4 | "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." | Spiritual application for the believer's call to serve. |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." | The motivation behind exceptional effort and strength should be for God's glory. |
| Gen 49:19 | "Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, but he shall tramp upon their heel." | Jacob's prophecy over Gad, foreshadowing their military prowess. |
1 Chronicles 12 verses
1 Chronicles 12 14 Meaning
The verse highlights the extraordinary military strength and individual combat effectiveness of the Gadite warriors who joined David. It asserts that even the least skilled among them possessed the prowess to overcome a hundred enemies, while the most formidable could stand against a thousand. This is a hyperbolic expression emphasizing their unparalleled valor, strategic impact, and formidable presence on the battlefield, indicating a powerful, perhaps divinely augmented, capability to achieve overwhelming victories.
1 Chronicles 12 14 Context
First Chronicles chapter 12 details the various groups of mighty warriors from different Israelite tribes who came to join David during his time of adversity and eventually his ascension to the throne. These individuals, often described with remarkable physical and strategic attributes, symbolize the increasing allegiance shifting towards God's anointed king. Specifically, verses 8-15 focus on the Gadite warriors, who are highlighted for their extraordinary strength, fierce demeanor (likened to lions), swiftness, and courageous actions (such as crossing the flooded Jordan River). Verse 14 is the pinnacle description of their individual prowess, setting a remarkable standard for their combat readiness and effectiveness. Historically, David was in a precarious position, initially at Ziklag then at Hebron, consolidating his power amidst the lingering shadow of Saul's house. The loyal support of these elite warriors, often coming to him while he was still an outcast, underscores their discernment of God's hand on David and their commitment to His divine plan for Israel's leadership.
1 Chronicles 12 14 Word analysis
- These: Refers directly to the specific group of Gadite warriors, whose exceptional qualities are the subject of verses 8-13.
- from the sons of Gad (מִבְּנֵֽי־גָ֖ד – mi-bene Gad): Signifies their tribal lineage. The tribe of Gad, settled east of the Jordan, was often exposed to external threats, cultivating a reputation for formidable warriors (cf. Gen 49:19; Deut 33:20-21).
- captains of the army (שָׂרֵי צָבָא – sarei tzava): Translates to "princes of the army" or "chiefs of the military force." This indicates their high rank, leadership capabilities, and strategic command, not merely their combat skill. They were commanders, implying both fighting prowess and tactical intelligence.
- the least of them (קָטָן֙ מֵהֶ֔ם – katan me-hem): Literally "the small one/young one from them." This phrase highlights that even the minimum standard of their fighting ability was exceptionally high. It emphasizes the collective elite quality of the group, where even their average or weaker member was remarkably powerful.
- was a match for a hundred (לְמֵאָ֖ה אֶחָ֑ד – le-me'ah echad): Literally "to/for a hundred, one." This is a hyperbole signifying that a single warrior possessed the fighting ability, courage, and impact to contend effectively against and overwhelm a hundred adversaries. It describes an awe-inspiring level of individual combat prowess and strategic effectiveness, making them disproportionately powerful on the battlefield. This imagery connects with biblical promises of God empowering His people to defeat overwhelming odds (e.g., Lev 26:8; Deut 32:30; Josh 23:10).
- and the greatest (וְהַגָּד֖וֹל – ve-ha-gadol): "And the great one/eldest." Refers to the most exceptional or formidable warrior within their ranks, emphasizing the peak of their extraordinary skill.
- for a thousand (לָאָֽלֶף׃ – la-alef): Similarly hyperbolic to "for a hundred," this signifies that their most elite warriors could confront, overcome, or scatter a thousand enemies. It serves to underscore the almost mythical level of their individual power and the terror they must have struck in their foes.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "These were from the sons of Gad, captains of the army": This opening establishes the identity, heritage, and crucial leadership role of these warriors. It implies that their strength was not just physical, but also organizational and tactical, befitting officers within David's nascent army. Their tribal background on the rugged eastern frontier likely forged their fierce independence and warrior culture.
- "the least of them was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand": This climactic description vividly portrays the superlative individual effectiveness of these Gadites. The progressive scale (1:100 to 1:1000) not only indicates a spectrum of extraordinary power within the group but also uses hyperbole common in ancient Near Eastern heroic descriptions to stress their exceptional valor and divine favor. This was not about sheer numbers, but about the impact of divinely enabled or extraordinarily skilled individuals who could turn the tide of battle almost single-handedly, representing an overwhelming advantage for David's cause.
1 Chronicles 12 14 Bonus section
- The meticulous detailing of warriors like these Gadites in 1 Chronicles serves not just as a historical record, but as a theological statement. It demonstrates how God providentially gathers and equips mighty individuals—be they naturally gifted or divinely empowered—to fulfill His redemptive purposes and establish His anointed King (David, a type of Christ).
- The comparison "a match for a hundred" or "for a thousand" echoes divine promises of blessings upon obedience where a few would overcome many (e.g., Lev 26:8). While these men were already strong, their effectiveness on such a scale implicitly suggests a supernatural element or an extraordinary tactical advantage given by God through them, highlighting that the victories of God's people often defy conventional military logic.
- The Gadites' willingness to join David when he was still an outcast emphasizes their discernment of God's true king and their unwavering commitment to the right cause, regardless of immediate circumstances or personal risk. This loyalty, combined with their strength, made them invaluable assets for the unification and establishment of Israel under David's reign.
1 Chronicles 12 14 Commentary
1 Chronicles 12:14 describes the remarkable individual military prowess of the Gadite commanders who allied with David. This verse uses hyperbole, a common literary device in the Bible, to convey an extraordinary degree of valor and effectiveness rather than a literal kill count. To say the least effective could overcome a hundred and the greatest a thousand showcases their unmatched combat skill, leadership abilities, and the awe they inspired. This formidable strength was not just physical; it often implied divine blessing and enablement, making them potent instruments in God's plan for David's kingdom. Their joining David in his early, challenging years underscored their discernment and unwavering loyalty to God's chosen king, embodying commitment and formidable capability in service of God's purposes. This sets a standard for the kind of dedicated and effective service expected in God's kingdom, where individuals empowered by faith and divine leading can accomplish extraordinary feats beyond natural human ability.