King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 12:18 Mean?

1 Chronicles 12:18 in the King James Version says “Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains , and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, tho... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains , and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. came: Heb. clothed

1 Chronicles 12:18 · KJV


Context

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

18

Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains , and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. came: Heb. clothed

19

And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. to the: Heb. on our heads

20

As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amasai's Spirit-inspired declaration 'Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee' demonstrates covenant allegiance. The phrase 'the Spirit came upon Amasai' shows divine enablement for this confession. The threefold 'peace' (shalom) pronouncement extends blessing. Most significantly, the reason clause 'for thy God helpeth thee' recognizes David's success comes from divine aid. This voluntary submission to God's anointed king prefigures believers' Spirit-enabled confession of Christ as Lord and our covenant union with Him.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

David's mighty men joined him during Saul's persecution (c. 1012 BCE), risking their lives to align with God's chosen king. Their loyalty during David's suffering anticipated reward in his reign, paralleling believers who suffer with Christ to reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Spirit-enabled confession of allegiance to Christ look like in your life and circumstances?
  2. How does recognizing that 'your God helps you' affect your willingness to align with fellow believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְר֣וּחַ1 of 24

Then the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

לָֽבְשָׁ֗ה2 of 24

came

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

אֶת3 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲמָשַׂי֮4 of 24

upon Amasai

H6022

amasai, the name of three israelites

בְּרָאשֵׁ֥י5 of 24

them captains

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַשָּׁלִושִׁים֒6 of 24

of the captains

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

לְךָ֤7 of 24
H0
דָּוִ֔יד8 of 24

and he said Thine are we David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְעִמְּךָ֣9 of 24
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בֶן10 of 24

and on thy side thou son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשַׁ֔י11 of 24

of Jesse

H3448

jishai, david's father

וְשָׁלוֹם֙12 of 24

be unto thee and peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

וְשָׁלוֹם֙13 of 24

be unto thee and peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

לְךָ֗14 of 24
H0
וְשָׁלוֹם֙15 of 24

be unto thee and peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

עֲזָֽרְךָ֖16 of 24

be to thine helpers

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

כִּ֥י17 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עֲזָֽרְךָ֖18 of 24

be to thine helpers

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ19 of 24

for thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַיְקַבְּלֵ֣ם20 of 24

received

H6901

to admit, i.e., take (literally or figuratively)

דָּוִ֔יד21 of 24

and he said Thine are we David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם22 of 24

them and made

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּרָאשֵׁ֥י23 of 24

them captains

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַגְּדֽוּד׃24 of 24

of the band

H1416

a crowd (especially of soldiers)


Study Guide

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 12:18 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 12:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study