1 Chronicles 12:3 kjv
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite.
1 Chronicles 12:3 nkjv
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, and Jehu the Anathothite;
1 Chronicles 12:3 niv
Ahiezer their chief and Joash the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berakah, Jehu the Anathothite,
1 Chronicles 12:3 esv
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, both sons of Shemaah of Gibeah; also Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah, Jehu of Anathoth,
1 Chronicles 12:3 nlt
Their leader was Ahiezer son of Shemaah from Gibeah; his brother Joash was second-in-command. These were the other warriors: Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth;
Beracah;
Jehu from Anathoth;
1 Chronicles 12 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 12:2 | "They were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left..." | Sets context of ambidextrous skill for these men. |
| 1 Sam 16:12-13 | "...The LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”... David was anointed." | God's divine selection and anointing of David. |
| 1 Sam 22:1-2 | "And everyone who was in distress, in debt, or discontented gathered to him..." | Initial pattern of followers joining David. |
| 2 Sam 23:8-39 | "These are the names of the mighty men whom David had..." | List of David's loyal and skilled warriors. |
| 1 Chr 11:10-47 | "Now these are the chiefs of David’s mighty men..." | Parallel list of David's heroic soldiers. |
| Judg 20:16 | "Out of all these people 700 chosen men were left-handed; every one could sling..." | Example of skilled Benjamite ambidextrous slingers. |
| Judg 3:15 | "...Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a left-handed man..." | Example of a prominent left-handed Benjamite. |
| Psa 144:1 | "Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, Who trains my hands for war..." | God empowering individuals for conflict. |
| 1 Sam 9:1-2 | "There was a man of Benjamin... whose name was Saul... a handsome young man..." | Identifies Saul's tribal origin in Benjamin. |
| 1 Sam 10:26 | "...and the Spirit of God came mightily upon him... he went to Gibeah..." | Saul's base of operation in Gibeah. |
| Josh 21:18 | "...Anathoth with its common lands, and Almon with its common lands..." | Anathoth identified as a Levitical city. |
| Jer 1:1 | "The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth..." | Prominent prophet associated with Anathoth. |
| Num 14:24 | "...My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully..." | Exemplifies complete faithfulness and discernment. |
| Matt 10:37 | "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me..." | Ultimate allegiance belongs to God. |
| Luke 14:26 | "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother..." | Radical commitment to Christ above all earthly ties. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ." | Abandoning past advantages for a higher call. |
| Heb 11:32-34 | "And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon... David..." | Faith enabling mighty deeds, like those under David. |
| Heb 13:13 | "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach." | Following God's leader despite being outside comfort zones. |
| Isa 11:10 | "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse... To Him the Gentiles shall seek..." | Messianic promise, ultimate leader drawing all people. |
| Acts 13:22 | "...He raised up for them David as king, concerning whom He also testified..." | God's active role in establishing David's kingship. |
| Rom 11:5 | "...there is a remnant according to the election of grace." | Concept of a faithful remnant chosen by God. |
| Eph 6:11 | "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." | Spiritual parallel: being equipped to serve the true King. |
1 Chronicles 12 verses
1 Chronicles 12 3 Meaning
This verse identifies specific individuals, Ahiezer and Joash (sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite), Jeziel and Pelet (sons of Azmaveth), and Beracah and Jehu (an Anathothite), who joined David at Ziklag. These men, mentioned immediately after the description of skilled Benjamite warriors, represent a significant group who demonstrated unwavering loyalty and exceptional abilities in support of God's anointed king during a time of great adversity and national division under Saul. Their joining symbolized a shift of allegiance from Saul's failing kingdom to the emerging true monarchy chosen by God.
1 Chronicles 12 3 Context
First Chronicles 12 focuses on the warriors and leaders who joined David while he was still facing persecution from King Saul, specifically at Ziklag and Hebron. This chapter is vital because it systematically lists the growing strength and widespread support for David from various tribes, emphasizing the quality of his followers. Verse 3 identifies several key individuals, notably some from Benjamin, King Saul's own tribe. Historically, David was in exile, living as a vassal under Achish, king of Gath, in the Philistine city of Ziklag. Despite these difficult circumstances, skilled men from across Israel were drawn to him, recognizing God's hand on David rather than Saul, whose reign was waning. This gathering signaled a spiritual and political shift, confirming God's sovereign plan to establish David as king.
1 Chronicles 12 3 Word analysis
- The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash: The word for "chief" (רֹאשׁ - rosh) signifies a leader, head, or prominent figure. It implies that Ahiezer was recognized as the principal figure among this particular group of Benjamites joining David.
- Ahiezer (אֲחִיעֶזֶר - Achiy‘ezer): Means "My brother is help" or "Brother of help." This name could signify the supportive nature of these men who were bringing aid to David, or express the parents' trust in God as their helper.
- Joash (יוֹאָשׁ - Yo'ash): Means "Yahweh has given." Reflects divine provision or a gift from God.
- the sons of Shemaah (שְׁמַעְיָהוּ - Shema‘yah): Means "Heard by Yahweh" or "Yahweh has heard." It's a common Hebrew name, but its presence here may imply that their prayers or those concerning David were heard by God.
- the Gibeathite (הַגִּבְעָתִי - Ha-Giv'ati): Indicates that their family originated from Gibeah. This is profoundly significant as Gibeah was Saul's hometown and a stronghold of his family. The fact that men from Saul's own inner circle or tribe defected to David speaks volumes about David's legitimacy and Saul's fading influence, showing God turning hearts even from the very stronghold of the old order.
- Jeziel (יְזִיאֵל - Yezi'el): Means "Sprinkled by God" or "Assembled of God." Suggests divine purification or selection.
- Pelet (פֶּלֶט - Pelet): Means "Deliverance" or "Escape." It could refer to these men having escaped from Saul's control or finding deliverance with David, who was himself an "escapee."
- the sons of Azmaveth (עַזְמָוֶת - Azmavet): Means "Strong unto death" or "Strength of death." This name itself carries a powerful connotation, hinting at resilience, formidable nature, or readiness to face death, fitting for skilled warriors.
- Beracah (בְּרָכָה - Berakhah): Means "Blessing." This name highlights God's favor or blessing upon those who supported David.
- Jehu (יֵהוּא - Yehu): Means "He is Yahweh." This strong theophoric name explicitly acknowledges the sovereignty of God, connecting the individual to divine authority and purpose.
- an Anathothite (הָעֲנָתֹתִי - Ha-'Anathoti): Denotes origin from Anathoth, a Levitical city given to the priests (sons of Aaron). This indicates that among David's warriors were men not only from warrior tribes but also from priestly lineage, showing broad support and possibly the sacred aspect of their calling to serve the king anointed by God. It also points to discerning spiritual leadership joining David's cause.
1 Chronicles 12 3 Bonus section
The precise naming and geographical origins in this verse reveal not just a simple roster but a deliberate emphasis on the broad and spiritually-guided allegiance shifting to David. The fact that individuals from Saul's hometown (Gibeah) and a priestly city (Anathoth) joined David's cause at Ziklag – a Philistine outpost – demonstrates a remarkable faith that transcended political and familial boundaries. It serves as a prophetic foreshadowing that God can draw individuals from the most unlikely or opposing places to fulfill His divine purpose. The assembly of these diverse, skilled men, united under God's anointed, symbolizes the future unity of Israel under David and ultimately points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who gathers a multi-ethnic people under His true and everlasting Kingdom. Their presence was a divine seal on David's legitimacy, indicating that his rule was truly of God.
1 Chronicles 12 3 Commentary
1 Chronicles 12:3 offers a glimpse into the diverse and dedicated individuals who flocked to David's side, even when he was an outcast. The listing of names and origins, particularly "the Gibeathite" (from Saul's own town) and "an Anathothite" (from a Levitical priestly city), underscores the spiritual discernment and conviction of these men. They recognized God's anointing on David, choosing loyalty to the Lord's chosen leader over the established, yet spiritually faltering, regime of Saul. Their names often carried significant meanings – "help," "given by Yahweh," "strength," "blessing," "He is Yahweh" – reflecting divine handiwork and positive attributes that adorned David's burgeoning company. These were not merely mercenaries but men with skill, resolve, and a profound sense of purpose, gathered by divine providence to serve in the establishment of God's kingdom.