1 Chronicles 12 16

1 Chronicles 12:16 kjv

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

1 Chronicles 12:16 nkjv

Then some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold.

1 Chronicles 12:16 niv

Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold.

1 Chronicles 12:16 esv

And some of the men of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David.

1 Chronicles 12:16 nlt

Others from Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold.

1 Chronicles 12 verses

1 Chronicles 12 16 Meaning

1 Chronicles 12:16 describes the arrival of more individuals from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah who joined David at his stronghold. This verse highlights the growing support for David during his time of exile and preparation for kingship, underscoring the shift of loyalty from King Saul, especially from his own tribe of Benjamin, towards God's chosen leader. It signifies the gradual unification of Israel under David's leadership.

1 Chronicles 12 16 Context

1 Chronicles 12 focuses on the warriors and leaders who joined David while he was a fugitive from King Saul, showcasing the various tribes and their contributions to David's growing support base. This specific verse (12:16) falls within a broader section (12:1-22) detailing these faithful adherents. David was residing in a "stronghold" (often identified with Ziklag, granted to him by Achish, King of Gath, or potentially another fortified hideout during his wilderness years). This period was crucial for David's legitimacy, demonstrating that his ascension to the throne was not through usurpation but through the willing allegiance of God's people, even those from Saul's own tribe of Benjamin. The Chronicler emphasizes this gathering to underline God's divine orchestration of David's kingship and the ultimate unity of Israel under him. Culturally, loyalty shifted based on perceived divine favor and effective leadership, a critical dynamic in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms.

1 Chronicles 12 16 Word analysis

• Then / וְגַם (ve-gam):
  • Meaning: And also, even.
  • Significance: This conjunction signifies a continuation and addition to the previous list of warriors and men who came to David. It emphasizes that the stream of support was constant and varied, further building up David's strength and legitimacy.
• some / מִן־ (min-):
  • Meaning: From, out of.
  • Significance: It denotes a selection, not the entirety of the tribes. It is notable that even a portion from Benjamin, Saul's own tribe, chose to abandon the reigning king and align with David, indicating the profound shift in political and spiritual allegiances driven by God's plan.
• children of Benjamin / בְּנֵי בִנְיָמִן (b'nei Binyamin):
  • Meaning: Sons of Benjamin.
  • Significance: Benjamin was the tribe of the reigning King Saul. Their defection to David, while not stated as universal, carries significant weight. It demonstrates a breakdown of monolithic tribal loyalty to Saul and implicitly acknowledges God's new anointed, David. This challenges the expected complete loyalty of a king's own tribe, functioning as an indirect polemic against Saul's declining divinely appointed authority. Their coming prefigures Benjamin's later fidelity to the house of Judah in the divided kingdom (1 Kgs 12).
• and Judah / וִיהוּדָה (vi-Yehudah):
  • Meaning: And Judah.
  • Significance: Judah was David's own tribe and his primary base of support. Their continued or renewed coming indicates a strengthening of his core allegiance. It underlines that his own kin fully endorsed his leadership, further solidifying his claim to the throne. Judah was prophesied to hold the scepter (Gen 49:8-10), and their loyalty here is crucial for fulfilling that divine promise.
• came / בָּאוּ (ba'u):
  • Meaning: They came (a verb indicating completed action).
  • Significance: This emphasizes voluntary action. These men deliberately sought out David, signaling their conviction in his leadership and the divine mandate upon him. It wasn't forced conscription but willing allegiance, highlighting the loyalty David inspired.
• to David / לְדָוִֽיד (l'David):
  • Meaning: To David.
  • Significance: The explicit object of their coming, establishing David as the central figure around whom Israel's future was coalescing. All allegiance was being directed toward God's chosen king.
• at the stronghold / עַל־הַמְצָד֙ (al-hamtzad):
  • Meaning: To/at the fortress/stronghold.
  • Significance: This location, likely Ziklag (though "the stronghold" can generically refer to any of David's fortified hideouts during his exile), was where David gathered his loyal followers away from Saul's pursuit. The Hebrew term metzad (מְצָד) implies a fortified, secure location. It symbolizes David's initial vulnerability as a fugitive contrasted with the growing strength derived from the men gathering around him, illustrating God's protection and provision during David's testing period. This gathering place served as a strategic point for training and preparing the future unified army of Israel.

1 Chronicles 12 16 Bonus section

The detailed roster of those who came to David in 1 Chronicles 12, including 12:16, holds immense theological significance. The Chronicler meticulously lists the tribes and the notable characteristics of the men—their bravery, skill, and loyalty. This attention to detail highlights that David's kingship was a national enterprise, embraced by people from diverse backgrounds across Israel, signifying a unity established not by conquest but by voluntary allegiance. The mention of Benjamin and Judah together in 12:16 subtly foreshadows their future partnership as the primary tribes forming the faithful kingdom in the southern realm after the division under Rehoboam. This highlights God's long-term plan, showing continuity of support for the lineage of David. The chronicler uses these historical lists to affirm the divine mandate upon David's house and to instill hope for a restored Israel among the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 12 16 Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:16 encapsulates a pivotal moment in David's ascendancy. It succinctly narrates the ongoing convergence of support, even from unexpected quarters like King Saul's own tribe of Benjamin, to David at his refuge. This flow of adherents was not accidental; it reflects God's purposeful hand in preparing David for the throne. The Chronicler emphasizes that these individuals were willing volunteers, choosing to align themselves with God's anointed despite the political risks, demonstrating faith in David's divine calling. This narrative serves as a testament to the Spirit's work in turning hearts, validating David's legitimacy and the broader unity that would soon characterize his kingdom. It foreshadows the later strong bond between Judah and Benjamin, the core of the southern kingdom after the division of Israel.