1 Chronicles 12:15

_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._ These are they that went over Jordan in the first month - i:e., they swam the Jordan in spring, when the swollen river generally fills up the banks of its channel (see the notes at Joshua 3:15; Joshua 4:19; Joshua 5:10). They deserved to be honourably mentioned, and accordingly the names of each are recorded. THEY PUT TO FLIGHT ALL THEM OF THE VALLEYS. This was probably done at the time of their separating themselves; and their purpose being discovered, they had to cut their passage through the opposing adherents of Saul, bo

1-22 Here is an account of those who appeared and acted as David's friends, while he was persecuted. No difficulties or dangers should keep the sinner from coming to the Savior, nor drive the believer from the path of duty. Those who break through, and overcome in these attempts, will find abundant recompence. From the words of Amasai we may learn how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus; his we must be throughly; on his side we must be forward to appear and act. If we are under the influence of the Spirit, we shall desire to have our lot among them, and to declare ourselves on their side; if in faith and love we embrace the cause of Christ, he will receive, employ, and advance us....

Verse 1 Chronicles 12:15. _IN THE FIRST MONTH_] Perhaps this was the month Nisan, which answers to a part of our _March_ and _April_. This was probably before the snows on the mountains were melted, just as Jordan began to overflow its banks; or if we allow that it had already overflowed its banks, it made their attempt more hazardous, and afforded additional proof of their heroism....

On the danger of the exploit, see the marginal reference note. This passage 1 Chronicles 12:8 seems to be taken verbatim from an ancient source, the poetical expressions in 1 Chronicles 12:8, 1 Chronicles 12:14, being especially unlike the usual style of our author....

EXPOSITION This chapter is retrospective, and the contents of it are not found elsewhere. It is occupied, first (1 Chronicles 12:1), with the names and some accounts of those who had come to the help of David in three great crises in time past, to join themselves to him and his cause. And afterwards (1 Chronicles 12:23-13), with an enumeration of those representatives from the tribes who came (1 Chronicles 11:1, 1 Chronicles 11:3) to support the proceedings of the occasion when he was being made king of the whole people. Thus the chapter would divide really into four parts, t

THESE ARE THEY THAT WENT OVER JORDAN IN THE FIRST MONTH,.... The month Nisan or Ab; as they must come over Jordan to come to David, since they dwelt on the other side of it: WHEN IT HAD OVERFLOWN ALL ITS BANKS; as it did at this time of the year, see Joshua 3:15 which is observed to show both the time of the year when they came over, and their zeal and ardour to assist David, and their boldness and intrepidity; fearless of danger, they threw themselves into Jordan, and swam over it, in all probability when the waters of it were so deep they could not ford it, and so rapid that they were in danger of being carried away with them: AND THEY PUT TO FLIGHT ALL THEM OF THE VALLEYS, BOTH TOWARDS THE EAST, AND TOWARDS THE WEST; who dwelt in the valleys, or plains of Jordan east and west; who seeing a number of men come over, took them for enemies, and fled, so Kim

FIRST MONTH That is, April....

2. DAVID'S WARRIORS AND FRIENDS CHAPTER 12 _ 1. The Benjamite warriors with David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:1)_ 2. The other warriors (1 Chronicles 12:8) 3. Those who came to make him king (1 Chronicles 12:23) And now those are given by name who stood by David, when he was an outcast, rejected and persecuted by Saul. They were mighty men, his helpers in war. The leading company were of Benjamin, the tribe to which Saul belonged. These joined him when he was at Ziklag. In the wilderness of Judah certain of the Gadites separated themselves unto him, “whose faces were like the faces of lions and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains.” May

DAVID'S SUPPORTERS. An enumeration of those who rallied round David during his outlaw life in Ziklag (_cf._ 1 Samuel 27:5 f.), and a list of those who were instrumental in setting him upon the throne. 1 Chronicles 12:2. they were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin: _cf._ 1 Chronicles 12:16 ff., 1 Chronicles 12:29; it is difficult to believe that Saul was deserted by his own kinsfolk (see 2 Samuel 2:25; 2 Samuel 2:31)

THE FIRST MONTH. Nisan, or Abib. OVERFLOWN. Compare Joshua 3:15....