King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 12:15 Mean?

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

Context

13

Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh .

14

These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. one: or, one that was least could resist an hundred, and the greatest a thousand

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. overflown: Heb. filled over

16

And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

17

And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. to meet: Heb. before them be knit: Heb. be one wrong: or, violence

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **When it had overflown.**—A proof of their valour. They did not wait till summer had made the Jordan shallow, but crossed it in spring, when perilously swollen with the rains and the melted snows of Lebanon. (Comp. Joshua 3:15.) **In the** **first** **month,**—March—April; in Heb, A bib or Nisan. **Had overflown.***—Was fillıng or brimming over.* **And they put to flight all . . . the valleys.***—*Literally,* and they made all the valleys flee: that is, their inhabitants, who were hostile to their enterprise, both to the sunrise and the sunset, or on both sides of the river.*

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 12:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 12:15

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