(8-18) A. list of Gadites, and an account of a band of Judaeans 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 Judaea.

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 (m?gen) is the reading of some old editions, but against the MSS., which have r?mah (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).

Verse 8. - As ver. 1 is introduced by the description of those who came together "to David to Ziklag" at a certain time, so it seems evident that this verse introduces the mention of certain others who befriended David at another time, by coming to him into the hold to the wilderness. These others were Gadites in part, and the hold none more likely than that of Adullam (ver. 16 of last chapter), although the word here employed (לַמְצַד) for "hold" is a different form of the word (מְצוּדָה) found both there and in the parallel (2 Samuel 23:14). There is, however, nothing to negative the choice of other spots and occasions (1 Samuel 22:5; 1 Samuel 23:14, 19, 24, 29, Authorized Version; 1 Samuel 24:1, Authorized Version). This graphic description of the military and indeed native qualities of these Gadites, is in harmony with many other glimpses we get of them and their character (1 Chronicles 5:19-22; 2 Samuel 1:23; 2 Samuel 2:18).

12:1-22 Here is an account of those who appeared and acted as David's friends, while he was persecuted. No difficulties or dangers should keep the sinner from coming to the Savior, nor drive the believer from the path of duty. Those who break through, and overcome in these attempts, will find abundant recompence. From the words of Amasai we may learn how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus; his we must be throughly; on his side we must be forward to appear and act. If we are under the influence of the Spirit, we shall desire to have our lot among them, and to declare ourselves on their side; if in faith and love we embrace the cause of Christ, he will receive, employ, and advance us.And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David, into the hold to the wilderness,.... Men of the tribe of Gad, who lived on the other side Jordan; these separated themselves from the rest of their tribe, from their families and dwellings, and from the government of Saul, and came over to David, and joined him either when he was in some strong hold in the wilderness of Ziph, or Maon, 1 Samuel 23:14, or, as some think, when he was at Ziklag, in the hold there, said to be in the wilderness of Judah:

men of might, and men of war, fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler; warlike, valiant, and courageous men, well skilled in military discipline: whose faces were like the face of lions; bold, stern, and fierce. The philosopher observes (d), that of all creatures the lion most resembles a man, having a great mouth, a square face and forehead, large eye brows, &c.

and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains; which are remarkable for their swiftness on the mountains, see Sol 2:17. Aelianus (e) speaks of one sort of them that run as swift as a tempest. These Gadites, as with their undaunted looks and courage, intimidated their enemies, and put them to flight, so they were swift to pursue them, and overtake them.

(d) Aristot. Physiognom. c. 5. (e) De Animal. l. 14. c. 14.