Title Ziklag Conference (1 Chronicles 12:1-22)
Content In this text, we can see the stories of those who became David's friends after Saul died. When David was being pursued, David had only 600 men as his bodyguard. But when he now had to start taking the offensive, God's providence gave him more men to help him. Even when he had not asked his friends or favored ones to come to him even “until he hid because of Saul” in verse 1, God just in time prepared men to save David and let them go to him. This is God's fight, so David could find people to help in the fight. Because they acted swiftly for those whom God intended to use as rulers, their achievements can be honored here.
1. The cunning tribe (verses 1-7) This was the case with the tribe of Benjamin, to which Saul belonged. Some of them, for some reason, became dissatisfied with Saul's rule and took David's side. Perhaps arousing noble wrath at the tyranny of Saul, who belonged to their tribe, they were more courageous to help David. These Benjamites were very talented and had no reason to be blamed for following David. They are said to be well-trained in archery and slingshot. They were wise and brave men who used both hands.
(1) Excellent archers verse-2 (those who shed flesh)
(2) Famous dialysis soldiers- (throwing slingshots)
(3) Well-trained - (playing left and right hands) They are excellent people.
2. The brave tribe (verses 8-14) Such was the case with the people of the tribe of Gad. Some of the Gadites were located across the Jordan, but they too were convinced that David was worthy of the rulership. So they left their people and came to David in a fortified place in a wild land, possibly his stronghold in the wilderness of En-gedi. The number of them here was only 11, but they were David's great strength. Most of the people who came here to help David were the debtors, the afflicted, the bitter-hearted, and the veterans who wanted protection rather than doing anything. However, all the people of the tribe of Gad were warriors and were accustomed to fighting.
(1) They were “strong ones,” very agile and did not run away from their enemies, but attacked them and pursued the fleeing hordes. They were exceptionally quick-footed, and they were said to be “quick as a deer.”
(2) They were trained and used to battle. He was well trained and was able to use shields and spears.
(3) They were valiant people who went through any difficulties. 1) They crossed the Jordan River when it overflowed. 2) They drove out the inhabitants of the valley. 3) They were the ones who pushed to the end of what they were going to do.
3. Tribes suspected (verses 16-18) Such were the case with Benjamin and some of the tribes of Judah. So the people of Benjamin invited the people of Judah to go with them to avoid David's suspicion.
(1) David treated them with caution. He was very surprised to see them and confirmed their strong intentions to come here. But they were all Jews. No wonder David was reluctant to welcome them. Having been deceived enough to say, “All men are liars,” it is no wonder he doubts them. 1) They did a great job with this issue. I sincerely prayed for loyalty and David's peace. 2) They sincerely prayed for David's peace. David called God the God of our ancestors, and called him the God of his ancestors. Together they prayed to David, “Peace be with you forever.”
4. The Volunteer Tribe (verses 19-22) The tribe of Benjamin was not destroyed by war, but by division. The characters in the text left Saul and came to David. It was a transfer of allegiance from the evil monarch to the good monarch, and from the domineering to the powerful. Nothing else is known about these 7 bosses. But one noble act can make a person forever remembered. Some of the Manassehs also joined him. When the captain and his soldiers came here through their country, God's providence gave them a good opportunity to join David (1 Samuel 29-30). Look at the history of God's providence. David's power grew strangely strong as needed (verse 22). The soldiers gathered every day and said, “At last we have formed a great army.”