“Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. while: Heb. being yet shut up”
To take his part against Saul, who persecuted him.
“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.”
That is, of the tribe of Benjamin, whereof Saul was, and wherein were excellent throwers with slings, Judg. 20:16 .
“And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains; of war: Heb. of the host as swift: Heb. as the roes upon the mountains to make haste”
Meaning, fierce and terrible. Or, buckler.
“These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks ; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west. overflown: Heb. filled over”
Which the Hebrews called Nisan, or Abib, containing half March, and half April, when Jordan was wont to overflow his banks, read Josh. 3:15 .
“Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains , and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. came: Heb. clothed”
The spirit of boldness and courage moved him to speak thus.
“And there fell some 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 the jeopardy of our heads. to the: Heb. on our heads”
Or, on the jeopardy of our heads. They came only to help David, and not to succor the Philistines, which were enemies to their country. Cross references: : 1 Sam. 29:4
“And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host. against: or, with a band”
To wit, of the Amalekites which had burned the city Ziklag, 1 Sam. 30:1 , 9 .
“For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.”
Meaning, mighty or strong: for the Hebrews say a thing is of God, when it is excellent.
“And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;”
Of the Levites which came by descent of Aaron.
“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. kindred: Heb. brethren the greatest: Heb. a multitude of them”
That is, the greatest number took Saul’s part.
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.”
Men of good experience, which knew at all times what was to be done.
“Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart. expert: or, rangers of battle, or, ranged in battle keep: or, set the battle in array not: Heb. without a heart and a heart”
Or, set themseves in array. Hebrew, heart and heart .
“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 were of one heart to make David king.”
So that his whole host were three hundred twenty and two thousand, two hundred twenty and two. Or, fight in their array. Or, with a good courage.