WITH HIS CHARIZMA, DAVID DRAWS GREAT LEADERS TO JOIN HIM In the previous chapter we saw how David was enthroned over all Israel, according to a divine plan previously proclaimed by the prophet Samuel when David was a little kid, and anointed him with the holy oil; Then about twenty years later, he was enthroned in Hebron a king over all Israel. Here, the author makes it clear that David gradually reached the throne, like a fruit that stayed on a branch of the tree for sometime to ripen. David waited for a long time until the divine promise was realized, with no haste to reach it. For his heart was not on the throne, nor on the temporal glory, but in God and in the people. The divine promised was realized in two main steps: (1) The first stem in Ziklag, where he was a fugitive from the face of Saul the son of Kish, who sough to have him killed. There, men of valor gradually joined him, and it ended up by enthroning him a king over Judah (1-22). (2) The second step in Hebron, where leaders from all over Israel came to seek him a king over all the tribes of Israel; seven years after enthroning him over Judah (23-40). Te talk here concerns the period during which David was a fugitive from Saul’s face, and took refuge among the Philistines, one of whose kings gave him Ziklag a possession (1 Samuel 27: 1-7) . Historically, taking refuge among the Philistines is considered as a point of weakness in david’s life; Whereas the book of the Chronicles presents him as a shining star who drew even men of the tribe of Benjamin (the tribe of Saul0, to cross over and join him. We have already presented a quick comparison between David and Saul. In the present chapter we concentrate on the following points: 1- If we compare between Saul and David, the former, as a king made great efforts to find men of valor to join him; But many who did have forsaken him, despite all the privileges and possibilities he offered them as a king of authority. Whereas to David, on the other hand, even when he was hiding in Ziklag from Saul’s face, men of valor came to join him, among whom were Saul’s brethren of the tribe of Benjamin. As a man of God, he drew energies to work for him (1-2) 2- Some of Benjamin and Judah have previously opposed him; Now they came to join him; as, by the Spirit of God who dwelt upon Amasai chief of “the threes”, and he said: “We are yours, O David; We are on your side, O son of Jesse”; David received them and made them captains of the troops. God turns even the adversaries into friends to work with David. 3- God granted them the spirit of unity, “All the rest of Israel were of one mind to make david king” (38) 4- They brought to him their possibilities: “were bringing him food on donkeys and camels, on mules and oxen – provisions of flour, abundantly” (40) 5- A spirit of joy prevailed on all, “ for there was joy in Israel” (40) While Saul the king exerted great effort to find men of valor to join him (1 Samuel 14: 52); strong and faithful men of valor were drawn to David the man of God, searched for him, even while he was a fugitive from Saul’s face, to attach themselves to him. Men of valor, faithful, loyal, and of talents united with David for the edification of the holy congregation. I wish we are drawn to the King of kings, seek Him, and attach ourselves to Him; for He lets the talents grow, which are actually His free gifts to us; to turn us into a spiritual army that shakes the kingdom of the devil, and destroys his authority. I wish we present to Him of what He has granted us, “to have joy in the new Israel”. Out of the believers, God sets the spiritual salvation army, whose only enemy is the devil and his angels. He trains His believers on the spiritual war; and grants, even the little children the possibility of conquest, to be said about the church that was like dry bones cast in the midst of the valley: “Breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel 37: 10). And about her, as well, it is written: “awesome as an army with banners” (Songs 6: 4). + Fight like men, like good soldiers; run diligently in your race, for the sake of the eternal crown in our Lord Christ Jesus, glory be to Him, forever, Amen. (St. Basil the Great) + We are also allowed to conquer, looking up to our Prince of faith, walking along the same way He passed through for our sake … We are not brought to death because of our struggle against death, but we are eternal because of our conquest … Will death corrupt our bodies? … Well, they will not stay corrupt, but will come to be in a better shape. Let us therefore conquer the world; Let us run toward eternity; Let us follow the King; Let us erect a memorial of the conquest; Let us despise the pleasures of the world; We shall need no much labor to do that. Let us turn our souls to heaven, to conquer the whole world; For when we do not covet for it, we would conquer it; If we scoff it, … We, being just strangers and sojourners, I wish we do not grieve on anything concerning the world. (St. John Chrysostom) + He who is wounded in war, would not be ashamed to deliver himself into a physician’s hand; for he was wounded in battle; and once he is healed, the king will not send him away, but will count him among his men. So it is befitting of him who is wounded by the devil; he would not be ashamed to confess his ignorance, to forsake them, seeking repentance as treatment for his wounded soul…. He who is ashamed to show his wound, the infection will stretch over his whole body; …. But he who is not, his wound will be healed and will get back to the battle. (St. Aphrahat) + In the regular battles, the leaders do not arm women, children, or elders. Whereas our Leader, the Lord Christ, distributes the royal weapon (te acquirement of Christ) equally on all; and will teach them the military tricks of the devil. (Father Theodoret) If David is truly a successful leader, he became more successful and stronger, on account of that he saw in the others leaders who work with him, whom he would never do without. The previous chapter dealt with the individuals who were connected to David; The present chapter cares to talk about the tribes and their chiefs who made pacts with the king; those who came to him while he was in hiding (1- 22); and those who came to Hebron after the death of Mephibosheth (23-40); “when all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king” (38); and “there was joy in all Israel” (40) Many of those who came were suffering troubles and afflictions, and came to take refuge in David (1 Samuel 22: 1-2): The others, though, came to serve David, and to help him get enthroned promised to him by God. The Benjamites recognize the kingdom of David: Revealing the divine grace that covers up a multitude of sins, and weaknesses, the book of the Chronicles did not refer to the period before all the tribes recognized David as king in Hebron. For most of the tribes, then, looked at him as being the rejected king, who, in weakness of faith, escaped to Achish to seek refuge among the nonbelievers (1 Samuel 29-30) Before that, men of the tribes of Gad, Judah, and Benjamin joined David while he was in a lowly situation, rejected by the majority. It is amazing that the tribe of Benjamin, to which the evil king Saul belongs, became attached to the tribe of Judah, and loving David, probably more than the rest of the tribes. While in Ziklag, men of valor of the brethren of Saul of Benjamin came to join David (2); And while in the stronghold (16), men of the tribe of Benjamin and Judah came to him (notice how Benjamin is mentioned before Judah); And when he was in Hebron, 3000 men came to him of the tribe of Benjamin, most of whom were guards on Saul’s house (29). We may dare to say that the men of the tribe of Benjamin were more zealous on the enthronement of David a king than the rest of the tribes. That is the work of the divine grace, exalted over any human thinking or planning, according to which, we may expect that the tribe of Benjamin, if it does not take an opposing position against the recognition of the kingdom of David, would at least be hesitant in making a decision until they are sure that the rest of the tribes have definitely recognized him a king. The tribe of Benjamin that at a certain time before, was almost wiped out because of their sin (see Judges 20-21); now take a prominent place among the rest of the tribes in testifying to king David. Although they were Saul’s brethren, yet they were men with living faith and jealousy on the people of God, contrary to Saul himself. 1- Saul’s mighty men of valor join David 1 - 7 2- Gad’s mighty men of valor join David 8 - 15 3- The children of Benjamin and Judah in the stronghold with David 16 - 18 4- The children of Manasseh support David 19 - 22 5- Some sought to turn the kingdom to David 23 - 24 6- Simeon’s mighty men of valor join David 25 7- Levites and priests join David 26 - 28 8- Some guards of Saul’s house join David 29 9- Some of Ephraim’s mighty men of valor join David 30 10- Some of the half-tribe of Manasseh were drawn to David 31 11- The children of Issachar join David 32 12-The children of Zebulun join David 33 13-The children of Naphtali join David 34 14- The children of Dan join David 35 15- The children of Asher join David 36 16- The eastern bank of the Jordan join David 37 17-Unity and joy in Israel 38 – 40 1- SAUL’S MIGHTY MEN OF VALOR JOIN DAVID: “Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish, and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war” (1) When David with his great love for his people was denied a lace in his own land, ‘Achish’ the Philistinian king gave him Ziklag as a possession to live with his family and those who joined him (1 Samuel 27: 5-7). Achish was happy to have such a famous Israeli warrior take refuge in him. David hid in Ziklag, where his movements were not all secret. On the historical aspect, although David during that time had reached the climax of weakness (see 1 Samuel 27: 1-7); yet the book of Chronicles present it as a shining period in David’s life; during which some of the tribe of Benjamin (Saul’s brethren) came to join him; and many of those of mighty talents were drawn to the fugitive David. To him came the best of Saul’s men. … By that, God intended to confirm to David that his enemies became his helpers (16). Those men were characterized by: 1-They experts in “using bows, hurling stones, and shooting arrows with the bow” (2) 2- Serious and strong-willed, “trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions” (8) 3- Physically fit; and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains” (8) 4- Faithful to man and men (1 – 17) Ziklag: a city in southern Judah, was first a portion of the tribe of Simon (Joshua 19: 5); then was taken over by the Philitines, and later on by Judah. In Ziklag, David stayed a year ad four months, until Saul died. What is amazing is that those mighty men of valor who came to join David in Ziklag, were Saul’s brethren; They came, not aware that Saul was near death. They did not come after Saul’s death to flatter David, perceiving that the throne was within David’s reach, but were drawn to him, in his time of weakness, saying to him on the tongue of ‘Amasai’: “For Your God helps you” (18). “Who could handle shield and spear; armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left, in hurling stones; and shooting arrows with the bow. They were of Benjamin, Saul’s brethren” (2) The sling, although humble in appearance, yet deadly in battle; as to the bow and arrows, they are used for thousands of years, and the heads of the arrows were made of stone, wood or bones “The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite, Jaziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth, Berachah and Jehu the Anathothites” (3) “Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite” (4) “Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite” (5) “Elkanah, Jisshiah, Azareel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites” (6) “and Joelah, and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham of Gedor” (7) 2- GAD’S MIGHTY MEN OF VALOR JOIN DAVID: “Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains” (8) By the stronghold, he probably means the cave of ‘Adullam’ (2 Samuel 23: 13). The Gadites had the favor of joining David while in affliction, and on account of their strength and courage in battle. While the Benjamites were experts in using the bows, arrows and the slings, the Gadites could handle shield and spear. And while the heads of the spears were made of bones or stones; those of the Philistines were made of bronze or iron; for they monopolized the manufacture of iron (1 Samuel 13: 19-20).. The book portrays for us how the Gadites were convinced of having David a king over Israel; they separated from their brethren on the eastern bank of the Jordan; an action worthy of commendation, for David was then a fugitive in the stronghold in the wilderness (8), probably in Ein Gedi . In spite of the few number mentioned here (11 persons), yet they were an effective addition of power to David; on account of that they were mighty men of valor, “whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains” (8). They did not come out of affliction, nor sought protection against an enemy; but came convinced that David was the man of God appointed to be king over Israel. Those mighty men present a living example of the good and faithful soldiers of Christ: a- As they were leaders of armies; it is befitting of the believer to bear the spirit of strength, perceiving that he posses mighty possibilities to oppose sin, evil, corruption, and the devil himself, with all his tricks and deception. The believer is a leader of all his energies and possibilities in the Lord. b- Those men had faces like the faces of lions, not to bear the spirit of violence, but to work with the spirit of strength to the account of the kingdom of God without fear; would not be disturbed because of affliction; nor fear illness, difficulties, or oppression; and would say, together with the psalmist: “For by You I can run against a troop” (Psalm 18: 29); and, “Though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident” (Psalm 27: 3). On the mountains they are as swift as gazelles, not to escape before the enemies, but to hasten to conquest over the devil, their enemy. “Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third” (9) “Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth” (10) “Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh” (11) “Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth” (12) “Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbanai the eleventh” (13) “These were from the sons of Gad, captains of the army; the least was over a hundred, and the greatest was over a thousand” (14) The Holy Book intends to confirm that man is created as a leader, who, by the Holy Spirit of God; leads all his senses, emotions, and talents, are without humiliation nor disturbance. The heart of a believer is preoccupied, not with the extent of his possibilities, to become a leader over a hundred or a thousand, but to be faithful in what is within his hands. “These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west” (15) In the first month, namely in the month of Nissan, when the Jordan overflows all its banks (Joshua 3: 15). Concerning the mighty men of Benjamin, Saul’s brethren, they were not hindered by Saul’s animosity against David, to support and recognize David as a king. As to the Gadites, their only hindrance was their location east of the Jordan, which stood against their encounter with David. Yet despite the river overflowed its banks, they crossed it swimming, on account of that their great love had drawn them to David; and were about to have their enthusiasm damped, when David came to encounter them; Not knowing whether they were coming as friends or enemies, he said to them “If you came to harm me, I shall destroy you”; to which they answered him, saying, “Far from us to harm you, David, we came to be on your side”. Many of us intend to be in the service of the Lord; assuming that it is just a way of spend the time. The main thing is, do we intend to live for Christ as those men intended to live for David? We can contemplate more in this issue. …. Christ, having made us cross over the River Jordan when we died and were risen together with Him in the holy baptism; and blessed us with every spiritual blessing; we should serve him, not by the lips, nor to spend time, but by the complete submission to His will. We crossed the Jordan, not to serve David, but to serve the One greater than David. By saying: “And they put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west”, he reveals the following: They set forth from east of the Jordan, crossed over the river powerfully and quickly, then headed west to encounter David. Their journey represents the journey of every believer who comes to settle down in the bosom of the Lord of David. It is befitting of the believer to live as though on the high mountains; not to seek the lowly and earthly things, but the heavenlies; and not to have his heart abide in the valleys, namely in the lowly mortal things. He fights on the east and on the west; namely against the carnal pleasures and the afflictions; his heart would not be preoccupied with pleasures, nor destroyed by the troubles and afflictions. He walks his way crossing over the gladness and the troubles, setting forth to the high things; about which the psalmist says: “The high hills are for the wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers (a kind of rabbits)” (Psalm 104: 18) + We have truly found out that the badgers refer to the saints who came to this world to destroy the venom of the serpent. Now, let us see what are those high hills kept only for the badgers; which no one can climb but the badgers. I believe that they refer to the knowledge of the Holy Trinity; known as the high mountains; a knowledge only perceived by badgers. + Jesus Himself, when He transfigured, it did not happen in the valley, but He ascended a mountain. You may understand from this that He always head to the hills and mountains, to teach us not to search for Him anywhere but on the mountains of the law and the prophets. (The scholar Origen) 3- THE CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN AND JUDAH IN THE STRONGHOLD WITH DAVID: “Then some of the children of Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold” (16) For the second time, some of the Benjamites appear, but not alone as in the first time, but accompanied with some of the children of Judah, to go to David in the stronghold, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. “And David went out to meet them, ‘If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment” (17) David had many reasons to doubt their intention, lest they pretend friendship to get his trust, then they would deliver him to Saul; but Amasai confirmed to him their faithful intention. By saying: “If you had come peaceably to help me” reveals his doubt that some might come to him with an ulterior intention, to know his plan and tell it Saul. For many who came to him were afflicted , debtors, or with a bitter soul (1 Samuel 22: 2). David’s doubt was because he was actually betrayed by some (1 Samuel 21-22). The psalmist often suffered from the false intention of men, to say: “I said in y haste, ‘all men are liars’” (Psalm 116: 11). According to St. Jerome, every man is a liar; namely, if he acts as a man he lies; but if he is sanctified, and on him the saying applies: “I said, ‘you are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High’” (Psalm 82: 6), he would be no more a liar, for being a god, and not a man, he would utter no lies. “Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said: ‘We are yours, O David; We are on your side, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers! For your God helps you. So David received them, and made them captains of the troop’” (18) What Amasai uttered by the inspiration of the Spirit: “Peace, peace be to you, and peace to your helpers”, is considered the greatest gift presented to David; for the word ‘Shalom’ in Hebrew, surpassing the English word ‘peace’, does not only mean no war, but means the perfection of happiness, and the abundance of goods. David would enjoy on account of that God is on his side. Amasai: he was probably ‘Amasa’ the son of Abigail sister of David (2: 7); his eloquent words bore a prophecy. The secret of strength is the dwelling of the Spirit of the Lord upon those who work to the account of the kingdom of God. By the work of the Holy Spirit that dwelt upon Amasai, chief of threes, they declared their love, admiration, and faithful to David, who received them and made them captains of the troop. The Spirit sometimes grants a physical strength, as it happened with ‘Jephthah’ (Judges 11: 29, and ‘Samson’(Judges 14: 19); wisdom as with ‘Bezaleel’ (Exodus 31: 3); eloquence as with ‘Amasai’; spiritual talents, and knowledge of divine things as it is with the prophets. To some, like Bezaleel, the Spirit of God granted special craftsmanship (Exodus 31: 1 – 5); to Jephthah a military abilities (udges 11: 29); to David, the ability to rule (1 Samuel 16: 13); and to Zechariah the son of Jehoiada a prophetical word (2 Chronicles 24: 20) + We read about the children of Israel, that they went to war with a heart full of peace, even in the midst of swords, shed blood, and corpses; for they were thinking only of the conquest of peace, not of their own conquest. (St. Augustine) 4- THE CHILDREN OF MANASSEH SUPPORT DAVID: “And some of Manasseh defected to David when he was going with the philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the philistines sent them away by counsel, saying, ‘he may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads’” (19) What came here in verses 19-22, we find in (1 Samuel 29-30). God kept David from fighting against the children of Israel, when he was with the Philistines. Although the men of Manasseh did not have the faith of the Benjamites, the strength of the Gadites, nor the power of the spirit of the children of Judah and Benjamin; yet they declared their recognition of David, when he was rejected by the Philistines. When the world reject our Christ to reign on their hearts; we declare our recognition of Him to reign in us. “When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Josabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who were from Manasseh” (20) “And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they all were mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army” (21) The raiders were Amalekites, against whom David and his men defended Israel; and for to whom Saul did not care much, out of weakness or slothfulness. “For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of god” (22) What a magnificent portrait of David who gathered all Israel together in one heart and mind. 5- SOME SOUGHT TO TURN THE KINGDOM TO DAVID: “Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for the war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord” (23) All the tribes came to David, to take their position to support David, particularly in the army. This is a symbolic portrait of the believers working in the church of Christ, His one body. But not all the members have the same of function, but each of them has his own talent, that he uses according to the diverse grace of God, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12: 4-5) A magnificent example of this is the Benjamites, who despised the honorary appearances, as guards on the house of Saul. Counted them as of no benefit, they dedicated their energies to service and edification with David; by which they became a living example to the rest of the tribes; as according to the apostle, “Join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Philippians 3: 17); and, “Remember those who rule over you, who has spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrew 13: 7). The total number of those who came to Hebron was 339, 000, other than Issachar, and those who came together with Zadok; In those who joined David, we notice the following: 1- The great number of those who came from east of the Jordan: 120,000; namely more than one third of the total number. 2- Many came from the north (Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali). 3- Few came from Benjamin, for they were of Saul’s household. 4- Few came from Judah and Simeon; for many of them were with David from the beginning; they probably were the brethren who prepared the food for those who came (39) Probably one of the factors that motivated the tribes to join David, was knowing that when Saul fell in David’s hand, and he refused to stretch his hand to the Lord’s anointed, in spite of Saul’s many attempts to kill him. The tribe of Judah enthroned David in Hebron where he reigned seven years and six months; during which there was a continuous war between the house of Saul and the house of David (2 Samuel 2-4); although no mention of it came in the book of the chronicle . “Of the children of Judah bearing shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred armed for war” (24) Some may probably wonder why the tribes closer to him, presented relatively fewer number of warriors (Judah presented 6800, and Simeon 7100); while Zebulun presented 50,000, and the tribes east of the Jordan presented 120,000. That does not mean that the tribes geographically closer to David were less zealous or faithful than those far from him but, most probably, because they felt that they were at David’s disposal, he could ask for whatever he needs, to find them hasten to support hi,. On another aspect, being committed to receive those coming from far locations, they did not want to be a burden on David. 6- SIMEON’S MIGHTY MEN OF VALOR JOIN DAVID: “Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor fit for war, seven thousand one hundred” (25) 7- LEVITES AND PRIESTS JOIN DAVID: “Of the children of Levi four thousand six hundred” (26) Although the Levites were exempted from military service (Numbers 1: 47-50); yet we find them here, beside raising prayers, volunteer in those critical circumstances to support David with their whole hearts, and to fight on his side, to make him king. “Jehoiada, the leader of the Aaronites, and with him three thousand seven hundred” (27) The priests were called Aaronites because they were descendants of Aaron the high priest. “Zadok, a young man, a valiant warrior, and from his father’s house twenty-two captains” (28) Zadok was a faithful servant of David all his life; and the high priest at the beginning of Solomon’s reign. 8- SOME GUARDS OF SAUL’S HOUSE JOIN DAVID: “Of the children of Benjamin, kinsmen of Saul, three thousand (until then the greatest part of them had remained loyal to the house of Saul)” (29) The number was fewer than the rest of the tribes, probably on account of that some of them feared lest David might avenge himself against them, because of Saul’s continuous oppression and his attempts to kill him (by the help of his guards). 9- SOME OF EPHRAIM’S MIGHTY MEN OF VALOT JOIN DAVID: “Of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men throughout their father’s house” (30) Beside being mighty men of valor like those of the other tribes, these Ephramites, being already men of high positions in their fathers’ house, they did not join David, seeking high position in the new nation. 10- SOME OF THE HALF-TRIBE OF MANASSEH JOIN DAVID: “Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand who were designated by name to come and make David king” (31) How amazing was what the tribe of Manasseh did; Without any controversy or competition within the tribe, for who are to go to enthrone David, , they “were designated by name”, namely, their talents, works, and zeal, revealed their worthiness to do this mission. 11-THE CHILDREN OF ISSACHAR JOIN DAVID: “Of the children of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two thousand, and all their brethren were at their command” (32) Despite presenting the least number of men (200 leaders), yet those leaders were known for their experience in taking wise decisions, convenient for the nation at that time “had understanding of the times”, (for what suit a certain time may not suit another). They knew how to choose the right time to unite together, to do a mutual work, concerning the enthronement of David. They probably were the thinking mind for how to deal with Saul and his children; and for choosing the right time to consummate the true purposes of God concerning uniting together around David. With the same spirit the apostle Paul says: “Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Romans 13: 11, 12) By reason and wise discernment they knew that the other tribes were submitted to the, and “all their brethren were at their command”. … How amazing portrait! … We are committed to submit, with the spirit of love and humility, to whom granted such a talent The work of God is clearly apparent, that consummating that role did not create any jealousy against them among the other tribes; but it is said that men of Zebulun and men of Asher went to war, bearing the same spirit.. 12-THE CHILDREN OF ZEBULUN JOIN DAVID: “Of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, experts in war with all weapons of war stouthearted men who could keep ranks” (33) The tribe of Zebulun were featured by their readiness to go to battle, supporting one another with no controversy, and “could keep ranks”, a Hebrew military expression, referring to the orderly military attitude, walking like one man, with one heart. 13-THE CHILDREN OF NAPHTALI JOIN DAVID: “Of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them thirty-seven thousand with shield and spear” (34) Naphtali were like Judah, men who could handle shields and spears; like those who built the wall of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah. 14-THE CHILDREN OF DAN JOIN DAVID: “Of the Danites who could keep battle formation, twenty-eight thousand six hundred” (35) Both Dan and Zebulun were featured by being always ready to go to war. Men of Dan were standing by as though anticipation the signal (ss 2 Timothy 1: 7). 15-THE CHILDREN OF ASHER JOIN DAVID: “Of Asher, those who could go out to war, able to keep battle formation, forty thousand” (36) 16- MEN OF THE EASTERN BANK OF THE JORDAN JOIN DAVID: “Of the Reubenites and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, from the other side of the Jordan, one hundred and twenty thousand armed for battle with every kind of weapon of war” (37) The tribes from the eastern side of the Jordan came in great numbers; although coming from afar, they crossed the river carrying the weapons of war; came with one heart; the same spirit of brotherly love that prevailed upon all the other tribes. 17-UNITY AND JOY IN ISRAEL: “All these men of war who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king” (38) The total of those who came to Join David and to set him a king, were more than 300,000 men. Having an upright heart, David was granted by God, leaders of diverse talents and experience from all tribes, who worked with one spirit, one goal, and one mind. The tribe The number of those who joined David, and their talents Judah 6800 men who could handle shields and spears Simeon 7100 mighty men of war Levi 4600 Levites Benjamin 3000 men of the house of Saul Ephraim 20,800 mighty men of valor Half-tribe of Manasseh 18000 men who came to set David a king Issachar 200 chiefs of experience and wisdom in running the affairs of the nation Zebulun 50,000 of faithful warrior with all kinds of weapons Nephtali 1000 leaders and 37,000 of warriors with shields and spears Dan 28,600 of warriors in battles Asher ___________________ Reuben, Gad, and halftribe of Manasseh 40,000 of warriors in battles 120,000 warriors who could handle all kinds of weapons (from east of the Jordan Commenting on the warriors of a peaceful heart, St. Jerome quotes Psalm 120, saying: “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue” (Psalm 12: 2). + Deliver my sou;, O Lord, from a deceitful tongue. The tongue od someone else would not harm me, but it is my own tongue who is my enemy. Deliver me from my own tongue, not of someone else, but of my own tongue, which is like a sword that kills me. I assume that I harm my enemy, not perceiving that I kill myself. My opponents may oppose me when I speak to them; but I shall talk peace. They spirit may come against me, but let my spirit a peace-maker. For it is written in the first book of the Chronicles (Paralipomenon): “All these men of war came to Hebron with a loyal heart” (full of peace to make war) (1 Chronicles 12; 38). (St. Jerome) This celebration was unique, “for there was joy in Israel”; the secret of their joy was that he represents the Messiah Savior of the world; In him they saw the shadow of salvation; they enjoys the spirit of praise; and perceived that the Word of God and the divine promises were the source of their exalted joy. “And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them” (39) “eating and drinking”, meaning that men of all tribes, even in eating and drinking, were like one family “Moreover those who were near to them, from as far away as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, were bringing food on donkeys and camels, on mules and oxen – provisions of flour and cakes, of figs and cakes of raisins, wine and oil and oxen and sheep abundantly, for there was joy in Israel” (40) If all the tribes provided leaders in war, politics, and running the affairs of the nation; the families of the tribes close to them presented an abundance of provisions, with the spirit of joy that prevailed over Israel, because of their leader, David, the man of God, the prophet, the king, the judge, and the sweet psalmist of Israel. The secret of their joy was, not the political possibilities, the experience, and the material possibilities, but the feeling of the presence of the divine presence, the Grantor of joy. “There was joy in Israel” (11: 40). According to some, this expression is not a regular kind of joy, because of the enthronement of a king; but it is the same joy they enjoy when they celebrate the new Jewish year, when the Orthodox Jews, up till now, dance exultant in the Torah. The secret of their joy is gathering together by a spirit of intimacy and unity, without controversy or competition; That is beside their perception that David is anointed by the Lord Himself, to be a king over all Israel. The tribes, on account of that they suffered sadness for a long time, because the rebellion of Saul against the Lord, and his oppression against David; they were defeated before the Philistines, and Saul and his sons died in battle. David rejoiced to see all the tribes united together, instead of dissensions and the civil wars. Many tribes cared to bring provisions on donkeys, camels, and mules; food and wine, that referred to an atmosphere of joy. Together with the spirit of serious strife, they bore that of satiety, joy, brotherly love, and unity; “for there was joy in Israel” (18). The secret of strength in those tribes was: 1- The gathering together of such a great number to the account of the glory of God. 2- Despite their great number and diversity, they had one goal. 3- They presented provisions with abundance. 4- Now, as all Israel united together around the king, appointed by the Lord Himself, they came to be in great joy; for they gathered together around the good shepherd. + “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, for praise from the upright is beautiful” (Psalm 33: 1). We often hear about the cry-outs and shouts in the Holy Book, that express the condition of a very happy soul, full of joy; not because everything is running smoothly; nor for the sake of physical wellbeing; nor because the fields were filled with every kind of fruit; but because you have possessed the Lord, the beautiful, the good, and the wise. Is this joy He has given you, is not enough for you? This text exhorts the righteous to perceive the extent of their honor to be worthy to be members of the herd of this Shepherd, and to feel pride to serve Him. They are filled with an unutterable joy, while standing with their hearts jumping out with the zeal of the beloved toward the loving God. If you feel in your heart such light that brings in it a complete knowledge toward God; I God enlighten your heart to love Him; your care for the world and its material things would decrease. By such vague and short feeling, you can perceive the fullness of the righteous, who continuously and unceasingly draw their happiness from God. You would rarely feel such feeling that is granted to you by God; by which you go back to remember what you miss. Whereas the righteous feel it continuously, for the Spirit of God dwells in him, and the foremost fruit of the Spirit are “love, joy, and peace” (Galatians 5: 22). “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous” (Psalm 33: 1). God of the righteous dwells in the souls that are large enough to accommodate Him; and he in whom He dwells will be characterized by courage, will exult, and the righteous will be a dwelling place for the Lord, once he receive Him in his heart. He who sins, on the other hand, would give place to the devil; and close his ears to the words saying: “Do not give place to the devil”; (Ephesians 4: 27). nor the words, saying: “If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post” (Ecclesiastes 10: 4). I wish we store the joy in our hearts while meditating in these words: “Praise from the upright is beautiful” (Psalm 33: 1). (St. Basil the Great) --------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM 1 CHRONICLES 12 LET THE WEAK SAY: I AM A HERO + Because of Saul, David found no place among his people; He fled to the Philistines, and one of their kings gave him a city; He hid in Ziklag, yet his movements were not completely secret; In the midst of that affliction, The fragrance of godliness came out of him, and reached all the tribes; And many of his oppressors wished to get attached to him, Many of Saul’s brethren and his guards, came to him; Many chiefs of the armies of amazing capabilities surrounded him. + As to our Christ, the Son of David, He came down by His free will and that of His Father; He came down to us, not to seek a city of refuge; But to seek our hearts as His throne; Men, women, youth, and children surrounded Him; Whom He set kings and mighty men of valor; Who perpetually sing the spiritual military anthem: “Let the weak say: ‘I am strong’” (Joel 3: 10). + The battle field is our hearts; and its way is our Christ; Our weapon is the cross of our Savior; and the secret of our conquest is the flow of His grace; Our eyes look up toward heaven; But our enemy the devil is underneath the feet, with no authority over us; Our wounds in the battle radiate splendor and glory; Our stronghold is the Physician of the souls and the bodies, Leader of the battle; We shall not fear death, for. By His death, He destroyed the bulwarks of the pit; And we do not fear the grave, for in it we encounter the Grantor of the resurrection, eternity, and non-corruption. + The salvation army includes the believers of the old and the new covenants; It embraces warriors from all peoples, nations, and tongues; It banner is the divine love, and the brotherly lobve; Its conquest is a cross over to heaven. + Our weapon is repentance with the spirit of hope; And humility with the spirit of surety in God; And the enjoyment of the grace of God, without slothfulness and laziness. + In the midst of the battle, our souls are filled with joy and exultation; We are joined by those coming from disbelief to faith; And those who take off the garment of corruption, and put on the righteousness of Christ. + Our battle knows no softness nor slothfulness; In the midst of seriousness, our Leader pours His sweetness in our hearts; Opens our insight up to enjoy the deposit of heaven; Our battle against the devil will not stop as long as we are in the body; Our battle against him is also between him and every believer; But we truly are not part of it; For it is a battle of our Christ against the devil. + Our Christ – the amazing Leader – turned the battle of the cross into a wedding; He presented His shed blood a a dowry to His church; He stretched His hands to embrace His bride; In the midst of our battle, our divine Leader transfigures; We see Him as the Groom of heaven, the Grantor of joy to the hearts; The Grantor of eternity, who will eternally shine His splendor on us. + Some of the Gadites set forth to David; They crossed over valleys east and west. And encountered him in the stronghold on the mountain; Grant me to cross over all the pleasures and afflictions of the world; And to set forth to You, O Son of David, to encounter You up on the mountain On Mount Tabor, You open my eyes up, to enjoy the secrets of Your glory; I shall not be drawn by the covetousness of the world, nor be disturbed by its afflictions. You reflect Your splendor on my depths; You set Your kingdom in me; To perceive the secrets of Your Godhead, and to experience the deposit of Your heavens; Let me encounter You on the mountain, while You talk to the multitudes; Let me hear Your sweet voice, and experience the power of Your word; Let me holdfast to Your commandment, to be rescued of all the tricks of the enemy; Let me encounter You on Mount Calvary, the mountain of the wedding; Let mr cry out together with the robber Dimas; Remember me, O my soul’s Groom, when You come to Your kingdom.
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