📖WEB · 1 Chronicles 12:23
What does 1 Chronicles 12:23 mean?
"These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to Yahweh’s word."
— 1 Chronicles 12:23 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
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.
They helped David against the band of rovers; for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army.
For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like God’s army.
These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to Yahweh’s word.
The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand eight hundred, armed for war.
Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand one hundred.
Of the children of Levi four thousand six hundred.
Explanation
This verse serves as the heading for a long list (verses 24–37) that catalogs the warriors from each of Israel's tribes who gathered at Hebron to support David's kingship. In plain language, it says that soldiers from across Israel assembled, ready for battle, with the specific purpose of transferring royal authority from Saul's line to David — and it stresses that this transfer happened "according to Yahweh's word," meaning it
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