BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Chronicles› Chapter 12› Verse 18

1 Chronicles 12:18

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Chronicles 12:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, [and he said], Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thy helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, [and he said], Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thy helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
1 Chronicles 12:18 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Chronicles 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15These are they that went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.
16And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold unto David.
17And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you; but if [ye be come] to betray me to mine adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
18Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, [and he said], Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thy helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
19Of Manasseh also there fell away some 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 away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.
20As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands that were of Manasseh.
21And they helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the host.
← 1 Chronicles 12:171 Chronicles 12:19 →
← Full Chapter 12 1 Chronicles Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the spirit came upon Amasai, etc.] Or “clothed” f79 him; a spirit of fortitude, as the Targum, of strength, courage, and presence of mind, with which he was endowed, covered, and clothed as with a garment; this was a sister’s son of David’s, (see <101725>2 Samuel 17:25) who was chief of the captains; of them that came at this time with him to David; he was afterwards Absalom’s general, and designed to be David’s, but was murdered by Joab: and he said, thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse; which being spoken in this short and concise manner, as the supplement shows, denotes the vehemency with which he spake, and is expressive of their cordial fidelity to him, and their…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Amasai - The marginal reference identifies him with Amasa, David’s nephew, but it seems unlikely that David would have misdoubted a band led by his own nephew. The passionate earnestness of Amasai’s speech is strongly marked in the original, and will be better seen by omitting the words which our Version adds in italics. Here, as in 1 Chronicles 12:8-15, we have manifestly the actual words of a very ancient record. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Spirit - Not only saving graces, but other heroical and generous motions are ascribed to God's spirit, which here stirred up in him a more that ordinary greatness of mind and resolution. 1 Chronicles 12:20”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the spirit: Jdg 6:34, Jdg 13:25; Isa 59:17 came upon Amasai: Heb. clothed Amasai, Ch1 2:17; Sa2 17:25, Sa2 19:13, Sa2 20:4-8, Amasa, Thine are we. Kg2 10:5, and on they side, Rut 1:16; Sa2 15:21; Kg2 9:32; Mat 12:30 peace: Gal 6:16; Eph 6:23, Eph 6:24 thy God: Sa1 25:28, Sa1 25:29; Sa2 5:2; Zac 8:23; Joh 6:67, Joh 6:68 captains of the band: Sa1 8:12, Sa1 22:7; Kg1 9:22 1 Chronicles 12:19”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then came the Spirit upon Amasai, so that he proclaimed himself enthusiastic for David and his cause. With לבשׁה רוּח cf. Jdg 6:34. Usually יהוה or אלהים is found with this expression ( Ch2 24:20), and here also the Spirit of God is meant; and אלהים is omitted only because all that was of importance here was to show that the resolution announced by Amasai was an effect of higher spiritual influence. לך, to thee, David (do we belong), thine are we. עמּך, "with thee," sc. will we remain and fight. "Peace be to thee, and peace be to thy helpers; for thy God helpeth thee." עזרך, He has helped thee in the fortunate combats in which you have heretofore been engaged ( Sa1 18:12.), and He will help…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Chronicles 12 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification