1 Chronicles 12 2

1 Chronicles 12:2 kjv

They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

1 Chronicles 12:2 nkjv

armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows with the bow. They were of Benjamin, Saul's brethren.

1 Chronicles 12:2 niv

they were armed with bows and were able to shoot arrows or to sling stones right-handed or left-handed; they were relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin):

1 Chronicles 12:2 esv

They were bowmen and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand; they were Benjaminites, Saul's kinsmen.

1 Chronicles 12:2 nlt

All of them were expert archers, and they could shoot arrows or sling stones with their left hand as well as their right. They were all relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin.

1 Chronicles 12 verses

1 Chronicles 12 2 Meaning

1 Chronicles 12:2 describes a group of formidable warriors who joined David. They were exceptionally skilled, capable of using both hands for combat, proficient in hurling stones and shooting arrows. Critically, these were men from the tribe of Benjamin, who were kin to King Saul. This verse underscores the military excellence of those who supported David and the significant shift in tribal loyalty even within Saul's own family, acknowledging David's divinely appointed ascent to power.

1 Chronicles 12 2 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 12 vividly describes the diverse and increasing body of skilled warriors who rallied to David's side during different phases of his struggle and ascension. This particular verse (12:2) highlights the elite fighting capabilities of a specific contingent that joined David while he was still a fugitive in Ziklag (1 Chr 12:1). It's crucial that these men were not just ordinary soldiers, but were distinguished by their extraordinary combat prowess, particularly their ambidexterity with ranged weapons. More significantly, their identity as "Saul's kinsmen from Benjamin" carries deep historical and political weight. Benjamin was the tribe of the reigning king, Saul, and was naturally expected to maintain fierce loyalty to his house. Their decision to join David, even at this early, vulnerable stage, marks a profound shift in allegiance, symbolizing God's sovereign hand in moving hearts and cementing David's legitimate claim to the throne, uniting the kingdom under His chosen leader.

1 Chronicles 12 2 Word analysis

• They were armed: The Hebrew implies 'they were equipped' or 'they readied themselves.' It denotes a state of preparation and skill with weaponry, rather than just possession.
• with bows: (Hebrew: qeshet - קֶשֶׁת) Refers to the archery bow, a fundamental long-range weapon in ancient warfare. This signifies their proficiency as archers, enabling them to strike from a distance.
• and were able to use both the right hand and the left: (Hebrew: yāmîn ū-śəmō’l - יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל) This phrase literally means 'right and left.' It highlights an extraordinary and rare combat attribute: ambidexterity. Such individuals were uniquely versatile, able to adapt to varying battlefield situations, reload quickly, and engage targets from any direction without physical restriction, making them formidable opponents. This particular skill was historically associated with Benjamite warriors (Jdg 20:16).
• in hurling stones: Refers to proficiency with a sling. The sling was a powerful projectile weapon, requiring immense skill and precision to hurl stones with accuracy and lethal force over considerable distances, as demonstrated by David against Goliath. It suggests these men were highly effective marksmen beyond archery.
• and shooting arrows: Reinforces their comprehensive mastery of projectile weaponry. Together with "hurling stones," this emphasizes their dual expertise in all major forms of ranged combat available in their time.
• they were of Saul’s kinsmen: (Hebrew: mē’akhê shā’ûl - מֵאַחֵי שָׁאוּל) Literally "from the brothers of Saul" or "from Saul's kin." This is a crucial political and theological detail. These were not just any Benjamites but men with close familial or tribal ties to the former king, Saul. Their shift of allegiance to David signals the unraveling of Saul's house and the divinely ordained recognition of David as the true king, even by those previously aligned with the old regime.
• from Benjamin: Refers to their tribal origin. The tribe of Benjamin was known for its fierce warriors and particularly for their specialized skill in archery and slinging (e.g., Jdg 20:16 describes Benjamite slingers who "could sling stones at a hair and not miss"). Their loyalty to David, despite their tribal and kin relationship to Saul, was a significant validation of David's increasing spiritual and political legitimacy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They were armed with bows and were able to use both the right hand and the left": This group of words immediately establishes the exceptional military caliber of these men. "Armed with bows" indicates their readiness for combat. The phrase "able to use both the right hand and the left" points to their highly unusual and effective ambidexterity, making them exceptionally skilled, versatile, and unpredictable in battle. This attribute suggests superior training, innate talent, or perhaps even divine endowment for their military role.
• "in hurling stones and shooting arrows": This details the specific ranged combat proficiencies of these warriors. It confirms their mastery of two distinct and vital long-distance weapons systems: the sling for stones and the bow for arrows. Their expertise in both makes them comprehensive and lethal projectile combatants, capable of initiating engagement or repelling enemies from afar. This dual mastery was likely a significant asset in the close-quarter and mid-range battles of the era.
• "they were of Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin": This powerful statement reveals their identity and tribal affiliation. Their origin as "Saul's kinsmen" means they shared familial or close tribal bonds with the dethroned king, a fact that makes their allegiance to David particularly noteworthy. Coupled with their tribal origin "from Benjamin," historically a warlike tribe noted for its archers and slingers, it emphasizes that these highly effective warriors from the very heart of the former ruling house now recognized and committed themselves to David, further validating God's hand in transferring the kingdom.

1 Chronicles 12 2 Bonus section

• The chronicler's emphasis on such specific skills (ambidexterity, stone-hurling, arrow-shooting) among the Benjamites, Saul's own kin, is strategic. It shows not just David gaining numbers, but gaining high-quality, strategically important individuals, validating the divine blessing on his growing forces.
• The fact that these men joined David at Ziklag (implied by 1 Chr 12:1) — while he was still effectively an outlaw and not yet anointed king over all Israel — speaks volumes about their conviction and perhaps prophetic foresight. It suggests their loyalty was not merely political opportunism after David became fully established but was an earlier, more risky commitment.
• The description of "kinsmen" or "brothers" (Hebrew: ’akhîm) points to their close relation within the Benjamite tribe to Saul's family line, either through direct bloodline or close tribal affinity. This close connection makes their allegiance to David a highly symbolic event, signifying the spiritual authority shift from Saul to David acknowledged even within Saul's tribal base.

1 Chronicles 12 2 Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:2 succinctly portrays a contingent of truly exceptional warriors who defected from Saul's side to join David. The meticulous detail about their ambidexterity and proficiency with both slings and bows highlights their elite military status. This was not a general levy of untrained men, but a specialized force of highly effective, trained fighters. Their particular identity as "Saul's kinsmen from Benjamin" holds immense significance beyond mere skill. At a time when loyalty was often tied to tribal and familial bonds, the defection of men from Saul's own inner circle to David demonstrates a powerful, divinely orchestrated shift in allegiance. It serves as evidence of David's increasing political and spiritual gravity, confirming that even those most closely associated with the previous king recognized the legitimacy of God's new anointed. This influx of skilled, strategically placed individuals, from both expected and unexpected sources, underscores God's active work in establishing and solidifying David's reign over all Israel, gathering the necessary resources and personnel for His divine plan.