1 chronicles 12:20 - As he went to Ziklag, some from Manasseh joined him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh.

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 12:20

What does "1 chronicles 12:20" mean?


This verse from 1 Chronicles 12:20 describes a key moment in the early part of David's career, when he was building his army to challenge King Saul. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"As he went to Ziklag...": David was in a precarious situation. He was a fugitive from King Saul, who was trying to kill him. David was living in Ziklag, a town given to him by the Philistine King Achish. However, David was secretly loyal to Israel and was waiting for the right moment to claim the throne.

"...some from Manasseh joined him...": The tribe of Manasseh was a significant Israelite tribe. The fact that these men were joining David shows that support for him was growing even within Saul's kingdom. People recognized David's potential and leadership qualities.

"Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai...": These are the names of the individuals who joined David. The repetition of the name "Jozabad" could indicate a typo in the text or two different people with the same name.

"...captains of thousands who were of Manasseh.": This is the most important part. These men weren't just ordinary soldiers; they were "captains of thousands." This means they were high-ranking officers, each in command of a large number of troops within the tribe of Manasseh. Their allegiance to David was a significant boost to his military strength. This indicates that a substantial number of men from Manasseh were willing to follow these captains and support David.

In summary, the verse highlights:

Growing support for David: Despite being an outlaw, prominent individuals from a major Israelite tribe were joining him.
Strategic advantage: These weren't just any men; they were experienced military leaders (captains of thousands) who could bring significant manpower and tactical expertise to David's side.
Foreshadowing David's rise to power: This verse is one example of how David was gradually gathering the resources and the support he needed to eventually become king of Israel. It shows that people were beginning to see him as a viable alternative to Saul.

The verse is part of a larger section in 1 Chronicles 12 that emphasizes how various tribes of Israel rallied around David, acknowledging his divinely appointed role as the future king.