King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 12:8 Mean?

“And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains; of war: Heb. of the host as swift: Heb. as the roes upon the mountains to make haste”

Context

Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,

And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains; of war: Heb. of the host as swift: Heb. as the roes upon the mountains to make haste

Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8-18) A. list of Gadites, and an account of a band of Judæans and Benjammites who joined David in the stronghold (1Chronicles 11:14) towards the desert of Judah. (8) **Separated themselves** from the royalists of Gad, who clung to Saul. **Into the hold to** (towards) **the wilderness.**—Perhaps the cave of Adullam (1Samuel 22:1; 1Samuel 22:4), or one of David’s other haunts, the wooded Mount of Hachilah (1Samuel 23:19), or the crag of Maon, or the rocks of En-gedi (1Samuel 23:25; 1Samuel 23:29). “Caves and holds” are mentioned together as refuges (Judges 6:2). In the earlier period of his outlawry, David found refuge in the natural fastnesses of Judæa. **Men of might.**—“Mighty men of valour” (1Chronicles 5:24), and “valiant men of might” (1Chronicles 7:2). Heb., “*the* valiant warriors,” whose names follow. **Men of war fit for the battle.**—Literally, *men of service or training, i.e.,* veterans, *for the war.* **That could handle shield and buckler.**—Heb., *wielding* (or presenting) *shield and spear,* (Comp. Jeremiah 46:3.) **Buckler **(*māgên*) is the reading of some old editions, but against the MSS., which have *rōmah* (lance). **Whose faces were like the faces of lions.**—Literally, “And face of the lion, their face; And like gazelles on the mountains they speed.” The poetic style of this betrays its ancient source. The chronicler is clearly borrowing from some contemporary record. (Comp. David’s own description of Saul and Jonathan, 2Samuel 1:23; and the term Ariel, lion of God, *i.e.,* hero or champion, 1Chronicles 11:22; and Isaiah 29:1.) **Swift as the roes.**—Comp. what is said of Asahel (2Samuel 2:18).

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 12:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.