mh_parser/vol_split/13 - 1Chronicles/Chapter 12.xml

<div2 id="iCh.xiii" n="xiii" next="iCh.xiv" prev="iCh.xii" progress="75.56%" title="Chapter XII">
<h2 id="iCh.xiii-p0.1">F I R S T   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iCh.xiii-p0.2">CHAP. XII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iCh.xiii-p1">What the mighty men did towards making David king
we read in the foregoing chapter. Here we are told what the many
did towards it. It was not all at once, but gradually, that David
ascended the throne. His kingdom was to last; and therefore, like
fruits that keep longest, it ripened slowly. After he had long
waited for the vacancy of the throne, it was at two steps and those
above seven years distant, that he ascended it. Now we are here
told, I. What help came in to him to Ziklag, to make him king of
Judah, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.1-1Chr.12.22" parsed="|1Chr|12|1|12|22" passage="1Ch 12:1-22">ver. 1-22</scripRef>. II.
What help came in to him in Hebron, to make him king over all
Israel, above seven years after, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.23-1Chr.12.40" parsed="|1Chr|12|23|12|40" passage="1Ch 12:23-40">ver. 23-40</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iCh.xiii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12" parsed="|1Chr|12|0|0|0" passage="1Ch 12" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iCh.xiii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.1-1Chr.12.22" parsed="|1Chr|12|1|12|22" passage="1Ch 12:1-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.12.1-1Chr.12.22">
<h4 id="iCh.xiii-p1.5">David's Army. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xiii-p1.6">b. c.</span> 1055.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xiii-p2">1 Now these <i>are</i> they that came to David
to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son
of Kish: and they <i>were</i> among the mighty men, helpers of the
war.   2 <i>They were</i> armed with bows, and could use both
the right hand and the left in <i>hurling</i> stones and
<i>shooting</i> arrows out of a bow, <i>even</i> of Saul's brethren
of Benjamin.   3 The chief <i>was</i> Ahiezer, then Joash, the
sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of
Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,   4 And
Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the
thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the
Gederathite,   5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and
Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,   6 Elkanah, and
Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,
  7 And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
  8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David
into the hold to the wilderness men of might, <i>and</i> men of war
<i>fit</i> for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler,
whose faces <i>were like</i> the faces of lions, and <i>were</i> as
swift as the roes upon the mountains;   9 Ezer the first,
Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,   10 Mishmannah the
fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,   11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the
seventh,   12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,   13
Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.   14 These
<i>were</i> of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the
least <i>was</i> over a hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.
  15 These <i>are</i> they that went over Jordan in the first
month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight
all <i>them</i> of the valleys, <i>both</i> toward the east, and
toward the west.   16 And there came of the children of
Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.   17 And David went
out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come
peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you:
but if <i>ye be come</i> to betray me to mine enemies, seeing
<i>there is</i> no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look
<i>thereon,</i> and rebuke <i>it.</i>   18 Then the spirit
came upon Amasai, <i>who was</i> chief of the captains, <i>and he
said,</i> Thine <i>are we,</i> David, and on thy side, thou son of
Jesse: peace, peace <i>be</i> unto thee, and peace <i>be</i> to
thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them,
and made them captains of the band.   19 And there fell
<i>some</i> of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines
against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of
the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall
to his master Saul to <i>the jeopardy of</i> our heads.   20
As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and
Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and
Zilthai, captains of the thousands that <i>were</i> of Manasseh.
  21 And they helped David against the band <i>of the
rovers:</i> for they <i>were</i> all mighty men of valour, and were
captains in the host.   22 For at <i>that</i> time day by day
there came to David to help him, until <i>it was</i> a great host,
like the host of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p3">We have here an account of those that
appeared and acted as David's friends, upon the death of Saul, to
bring about the revolution. All the forces he had, while he was
persecuted, was but 600 men, who served for his guards; but, when
the time had come that he must begin to act offensively, Providence
brought in more to his assistance. Even while he <i>kept himself
close, because of Saul</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.1" parsed="|1Chr|12|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), while he did not appear, to invite or encourage his
friends and well-wishers to come in to him (not foreseeing that the
death of Saul was so near), God was inclining and preparing them to
come over to him with seasonable succours. Those that trust God to
do his work for them in his own way and time shall find his
providence outdoing all their forecast and contrivance. The war was
God's, and he found out helpers of the war, whose forwardness to
act for the man God designed for the government is here recorded to
their honour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p4">I. Some, even of Saul's brethren, of the
tribe of Benjamin, and a-kin to him, came over to David, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.2" parsed="|1Chr|12|2|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. What moved them to it we
are not told. Probably a generous indignation at the base treatment
which Saul, one of their tribe, gave him, animated them to appear
the more vigorously for him, that the guilt and reproach of it
might not lie upon them. These Benjamites are described to be men
of great dexterity, that were trained up in shooting and slinging,
and used both hands alike—ingenious active men; a few of these
might do David a great deal of service. Several of the leading men
of them are here named. See <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.20.16" parsed="|Judg|20|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 20:16">Judg. xx.
16</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p5">II. Some of the tribe of Gad, though seated
on the other side Jordan, had such a conviction of David's title to
the government, and fitness for it, that they <i>separated
themselves from their brethren</i> (a laudable separation it was)
to go to David, though he was <i>in the hold in the wilderness</i>
(<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.8" parsed="|1Chr|12|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), probably
some of his strong holds in the wilderness of Engedi. They were but
few, eleven in all, here named, but they added much to David's
strength. Those that had hitherto come in to his assistance were
most of them men of broken fortunes, distressed, discontented, and
soldiers of fortune, that came to him rather for protection than to
do him any service, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.22.2" parsed="|1Sam|22|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 22:2">1 Sam. xxii.
2</scripRef>. But these Gadites were brave men, <i>men of war, and
fit for the battle,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.8" parsed="|1Chr|12|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. For, 1. They were <i>able-bodied men,</i> men of
incredible swiftness, not to fly from, but to fly upon, the enemy,
and to pursue the scattered forces. In this they were <i>as swift
as the roes upon the mountains,</i> so that no man could escape
from them; and yet they had <i>faces like the faces of lions,</i>
so that no man could out-fight them. 2. They were disciplined men,
trained up to military exercises; they could handle shield and
buckler, use both offensive and defensive weapons. 3. They were
officers of the militia in their own tribe (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.14" parsed="|1Chr|12|14|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), so that though they did not
bring soldiers with them they had them at command, hundreds,
thousands. 4. They were daring men, that could break through the
greatest difficulties. Upon some expedition or other, perhaps this
to David, they swam over the Jordan, when it <i>overflowed all its
banks,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.15" parsed="|1Chr|12|15|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>.
Those are fit to be employed in the cause of God that can venture
thus in a dependence upon the divine protection. 5. They were men
that would go through with the business they engaged in. What
enemies those were that they met with in the valleys, when they had
passed Jordan, does not appear; but they put them to flight with
their lion-like faces, and pursued them with matchless fury, both
<i>towards the east and towards the west;</i> which way soever they
turned, they followed their blow, and did not do their work by
halves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p6">III. Some of Judah and Benjamin came to
him, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.16" parsed="|1Chr|12|16|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. Their
leader was Amasai, whether the same with that Amasa that afterwards
sided with Absalom (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.25" parsed="|2Sam|17|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:25">2 Sam. xvii.
25</scripRef>) or no does not appear. Now here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p7">1. David's prudent treaty with them,
<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.17" parsed="|1Chr|12|17|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. He was
surprised to see them, and could not but conceive some jealousy of
the intentions of their coming, having been so often in danger by
the treachery of the men of Ziph and the men of Keilah, who yet
were all men of Judah. He might well be timorous whose life was so
much struck at; he might well be suspicious who had been deceived
in so many that he said, in his haste, <i>All men are liars.</i> No
marvel that he meets these men of Judah with caution. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p8">(1.) How he puts the matter to themselves,
how fairly he deals with them. As they are, they shall find him; so
shall all that deal with the Son of David. [1.] If they be faithful
and honourable, he will be their rewarder: "<i>If you have come
peaceably unto me, to help me,</i> though you have come late and
have left me exposed a great while, though you bring no great
strength with you to turn the scale for me, yet I will thankfully
accept your good-will, and <i>my heart shall be knit unto you;</i>
I will love you and honour you, and do you all the kindness I can."
Affection, respect, and service, that are cordial and sincere, will
find favour with a good man, as they do with a good God, though
clogged with infirmities, and turning to no great account. But,
[2.] If they be false, and come to betray him into the hands of
Saul, under colour of friendship, he leaves them to God to be their
avenger, as he is, and will be, of every thing that is treacherous
and perfidious. Never was man more violently run upon, and run
down, than David was (except the Son of David himself), and yet he
had the testimony of his conscience that there was no wrong in his
hands. He meant no harm to any man, which was his rejoicing in the
day of evil, and enabled him, when he feared treachery, to commit
his cause to him that judges righteously. He will not be judge in
his own cause, though a wise man, nor avenge himself, though a man
of valour; but let the righteous God, who hath said, <i>Vengeance
is mine,</i> do both. <i>The God of our fathers look thereon and
rebuke it.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p9">(2.) In this appeal observe, [1.] He calls
God the <i>God of our fathers,</i> both his fathers and theirs.
Thus he reminded them not to deal ill with him; for they were both
descendants from the same patriarchs, and both dependents on the
same God. Thus he encouraged himself to believe that God would
right him if he should be abused; for he was the <i>God of his
fathers</i> and therefore a blessing was entailed on him, and a God
to all Israel and therefore not only a Judge to all the earth, but
particularly concerned in determining controversies between
contesting Israelites. [2.] He does not imprecate any fearful
judgement upon them, though they should deal treacherously, but
very modestly refers his cause to the divine wisdom and justice:
The Lord <i>look thereon,</i> and judge as he sees (for he sees
men's hearts), and <i>rebuke it.</i> It becomes those that appeal
to God to express themselves with great temper and moderation; for
the wrath of man <i>works not the righteousness of God.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p10">2. Their hearty closure with him, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.18" parsed="|1Chr|12|18|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. Amasai was their
spokesman, on whom the <i>Spirit of the Lord came,</i> not a spirit
of prophecy, but a spirit of wisdom and resolution, according to
the occasion, putting words into his mouth, unpremeditated, which
were proper both to give David satisfaction and to animate those
that accompanied him. Nothing could be said finer, more lively, or
more pertinent to the occasion. For himself and all his associates,
(1.) He professed a very cordial adherence to David, and his
interest, against all that opposed him, and a resolution to stand
by him with the hazard of all that was dear to him: <i>Thine are
we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse.</i> In calling him
<i>son of Jesse</i> they reminded themselves that he was lineally
descended from Nahshon and Salmon, who in their days were princes
of the tribe of Judah. Saul called him so in disdain (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.20.27 Bible:1Sam.22.7" parsed="|1Sam|20|27|0|0;|1Sam|22|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 20:27,22:7">1 Sam. xx. 27; xxii. 7</scripRef>), but
they looked upon it as his honour. They were convinced that God was
on his side; and therefore, <i>Thine are we, David, and on thy
side.</i> It is good, if we must side, to side with those that side
with God and have God with them. (2.) He wished prosperity to David
and his cause, not drinking a health, but praying for peace to him
and all his friends and well-wishers: "<i>Peace, peace, be unto
thee,</i> all the good thy heart desires, and <i>peace be to thy
helpers,</i> among whom we desire to be reckoned, that peace may be
on us." (3.) He assured him of help from heaven: "<i>For thy God
helpeth thee;</i> therefore we wish peace may be, and therefore we
doubt not but peace shall be, to thee and thy helpers. God is thy
God, and those that have him for their God no doubt have him for
their helper in every time of need and danger." From these
expressions of Amasai we may take instruction how to testify our
affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus. His we must be without
reservation or power of revocation. On his side we must be forward
to appear and act. To his interest we must be hearty well-wishers:
"Hosanna! prosperity to his gospel and kingdom;" for his God
helpeth him, and will till he shall have put down all opposing
rule, principality, and power.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p11">3. David's cheerful acceptance of them into
his interest and friendship. Charity and honour teach us to let
fall our jealousies as soon as satisfaction is given us: <i>David
received them,</i> and preferred them to be <i>captains of the
band.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p12">IV. Some of Manasseh likewise joined with
him, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.19" parsed="|1Chr|12|19|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>.
Providence gave them a fair opportunity to do so when he and his
men marched through their country upon this occasion. Achish took
David with him when he went out to fight with Saul; but the lords
of the Philistines obliged him to withdraw. We have the story,
<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.29.4-1Sam.29.11" parsed="|1Sam|29|4|29|11" passage="1Sa 29:4-11">1 Sam. xxix. 4</scripRef>, &amp;c.
In his return some great men of Manasseh, who had no heart to join
with Saul against the Philistines struck in with David, and very
seasonably, to help him <i>against the band of Amalekites</i> who
plundered Ziklag; they were not many, but they were all mighty men
and did David good service upon that occasion, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.1-1Sam.30.31" parsed="|1Sam|30|1|30|31" passage="1Sa 30:1-31">1 Sam. xxx.</scripRef> See how Providence provides.
David's interest grew strangely just when he had occasion to make
use of it, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.22" parsed="|1Chr|12|22|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>.
Auxiliary forces flocked in daily, <i>till he had a great host.</i>
When the promise comes to the birth, leave it to God to find
strength to bring forth.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xiii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.23-1Chr.12.40" parsed="|1Chr|12|23|12|40" passage="1Ch 12:23-40" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.12.23-1Chr.12.40">
<h4 id="iCh.xiii-p12.6">David's Army. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xiii-p12.7">b. c.</span> 1048.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xiii-p13">23 And these <i>are</i> the numbers of the bands
<i>that were</i> ready armed to the war, <i>and</i> came to David
to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the
word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xiii-p13.1">Lord</span>.   24 The
children of Judah that bare shield and spear <i>were</i> six
thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.   25 Of
the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven
thousand and one hundred.   26 Of the children of Levi four
thousand and six hundred.   27 And Jehoiada <i>was</i> the
leader of the Aaronites, and with him <i>were</i> three thousand
and seven hundred;   28 And Zadok, a young man mighty of
valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.  
29 And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three
thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward
of the house of Saul.   30 And of the children of Ephraim
twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous
throughout the house of their fathers.   31 And of the half
tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name,
to come and make David king.   32 And of the children of
Issachar, <i>which were men</i> that had understanding of the
times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them
<i>were</i> two hundred; and all their brethren <i>were</i> at
their commandment.   33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to
battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand,
which could keep rank: <i>they were</i> not of double heart.  
34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield
and spear thirty and seven thousand.   35 And of the Danites
expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.   36
And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty
thousand.   37 And on the other side of Jordan, of the
Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh,
with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and
twenty thousand.   38 All these men of war, that could keep
rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over
all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel <i>were</i> of one
heart to make David king.   39 And there they were with David
three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared
for them.   40 Moreover they that were nigh them, <i>even</i>
unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and
on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, <i>and</i> meat, meal, cakes
of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and
sheep abundantly: for <i>there was</i> joy in Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p14">We have here an account of those who were
active in perfecting the settlement of David upon the throne, after
the death of Ishbosheth. We read (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.11.1" parsed="|1Chr|11|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 11:1"><i>ch.</i> xi. 1</scripRef>, and before <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.1" parsed="|2Sam|5|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:1">2 Sam. v. 1</scripRef>) that <i>all the tribes of
Israel came,</i> either themselves or by their representatives, to
Hebron, to make David king; now here we have an account of the
quota which every tribe brought in <i>ready armed to the war,</i>
in case there should be any opposition, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.23" parsed="|1Chr|12|23|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. We may observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p15">I. That those tribes that lived nearest
brought the fewest-Judah but 6800 (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.24" parsed="|1Chr|12|24|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>), Simeon but 7100 (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.25" parsed="|1Chr|12|25|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>); whereas Zebulun, that
lay remote, brought 50,000, Asher 40,000, and the two tribes and a
half on the other side Jordan 120,000. Not as if the next adjacent
tribes were cold in the cause; but they showed as much of their
prudence in bringing few, since all the rest lay so near within
call, as the others did of their zeal in bringing so many. The men
of Judah had enough to do to entertain those that came from
afar.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p16">II. The Levites themselves, and the priests
(called here the <i>Aaronites</i>), appeared very hearty in this
cause, and were ready, if there were occasion, to fight for David,
as well as pray for him, because they knew he was called of God to
the government, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.26-1Chr.12.28" parsed="|1Chr|12|26|12|28" passage="1Ch 12:26-28"><i>v.</i>
26-28</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p17">III. Even some of the kindred of Saul came
over to David (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.29" parsed="|1Chr|12|29|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:29"><i>v.</i>
29</scripRef>), not so many as of the other tribes, because a
foolish affection for their own tribe, and a jealousy for the
honour of it, kept many of them long in the sinking interest of
Saul's family. Kindred should never over-rule conscience. Call no
man <i>Father</i> to this extent, but God only.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p18">IV. It is said of most of these that they
were <i>mighty men of valour</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.25 Bible:1Chr.12.28 Bible:1Chr.12.30" parsed="|1Chr|12|25|0|0;|1Chr|12|28|0|0;|1Chr|12|30|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:25,28,30"><i>v.</i> 25, 28, 30</scripRef>), of others that
they were <i>expert in war</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.35-1Chr.12.36" parsed="|1Chr|12|35|12|36" passage="1Ch 12:35,36"><i>v.</i> 35, 36</scripRef>), and of them all that
they <i>could keep rank,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.38" parsed="|1Chr|12|38|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. They had a great deal of
martial fire, and yet were governable and subject to the rules of
order—warm hearts but cool heads.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p19">V. Some were so considerate as to bring
with them arms, and all instruments for war (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.24 Bible:1Chr.12.33 Bible:1Chr.12.37" parsed="|1Chr|12|24|0|0;|1Chr|12|33|0|0;|1Chr|12|37|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:24,33,37"><i>v.</i> 24, 33, 37</scripRef>), for how could
they think that David should be able to furnish them?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p20">VI. The men of Issachar were the fewest of
all, only 200, and yet as serviceable to David's interest as those
that brought in the greatest numbers, these few being in effect the
whole tribe. For, 1. They were men of great skill above any of
their neighbours, men that <i>had understanding of the times, to
know what Israel ought to do.</i> They understood the natural
times, could <i>discern the face of the sky,</i> were weather-wise,
could advise their neighbours in the proper times for ploughing,
sowing reaping, &amp;c. Or the ceremonial times, the times
appointed for the solemn feasts; therefore they are said to <i>call
the people to the mountain</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.19" parsed="|Deut|33|19|0|0" passage="De 33:19">Deut.
xxxiii. 19</scripRef>), for almanacs were not then so common as
now. Or, rather, the political times; they understood public
affairs, the temper of the nation, and the tendencies of the
present events. It is the periphrasis of statesmen that they
<i>know the times,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Esth.1.13" parsed="|Esth|1|13|0|0" passage="Es 1:13">Esth. i.
13</scripRef>. Those of that tribe were greatly intent on public
affairs, had good intelligence from abroad and made a good use of
it. They knew <i>what Israel ought to do:</i> from their
observation and experience they learned both their own and others'
duty and interest. In this critical juncture they knew Israel ought
to make David king. It was not only expedient, but necessary; the
present posture of affairs called for it. The men of Issachar dealt
mostly in country business, and did not much intermeddle in public
affairs, which gave them an opportunity of observing others and
conversing with themselves. A stander-by sees sometimes more than a
gamester. 2. They were men of great interests; for <i>all their
brethren were at their commandment.</i> The commonality of that
tribe having <i>bowed their shoulder to bear</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.49.15" parsed="|Gen|49|15|0|0" passage="Ge 49:15">Gen. xlix. 15</scripRef>), the great men had
them at their beck. Hence we read of <i>the princes of
Issachar,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.5.15" parsed="|Judg|5|15|0|0" passage="Jdg 5:15">Judg. v. 15</scripRef>.
They knew how to rule, and the rest knew how to obey. It is happy
indeed when those that should lead are intelligent and judicious,
and those who are to follow are modest and obsequious.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p21">VII. It is said of them all that they
engaged in this enterprise <i>with a perfect heart</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.38" parsed="|1Chr|12|38|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>), and particularly of
the men of Zebulun that they were <i>not of double heart,</i>
<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.33" parsed="|1Chr|12|33|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. They were,
in this matter, <i>Israelites indeed, in whom was no guile.</i> And
this was their perfection, that they were of one heart, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.38" parsed="|1Chr|12|38|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. None had any separate
interests, but all for the public good.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xiii-p22">VIII. The men of Judah, and others of the
adjacent tribes, prepared for the victualling of their respective
camps when they came to Hebron, <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.39-1Chr.12.40" parsed="|1Chr|12|39|12|40" passage="1Ch 12:39,40"><i>v.</i> 39, 40</scripRef>. Those that were at the
least pains in travelling to this convention, or congress of
states, thought themselves obliged to be at so much the more charge
in entertaining the rest, that there might be something of an
equality. A noble feast was made (was <i>made for laughter,</i>
<scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.10.19" parsed="|Eccl|10|19|0|0" passage="Ec 10:19">Eccl. x. 19</scripRef>) upon this
occasion, for there was <i>joy in Israel,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xiii-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.12.40" parsed="|1Chr|12|40|0|0" passage="1Ch 12:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>. And good reason; for <i>when
the righteous</i> bear <i>rule the city rejoices.</i> Thus, when
the throne of Christ is set up in a soul, there is, or ought to be,
great joy in that soul: and provision is made for the feasting of
it, not as here for two or three days, but for the whole life, nay,
for eternity.</p>
</div></div2>