1 Chronicles 12:35
From Dan: 28,600 prepared for battle.
From Dan
The tribe of Dan was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after Jacob's fifth son, Dan. Historically, Dan was located in the northernmost part of Israel, often symbolizing the extremities of the nation. The mention of Dan here signifies the unity and inclusiveness of all Israelite tribes in supporting David. The Hebrew root for Dan means "judge," reflecting the tribe's role in the judicial and military aspects of Israelite society. This highlights the importance of justice and leadership in the community of God's people.

28,600
This specific number indicates the significant contribution of the tribe of Dan to David's army. In the context of ancient Israel, such a large number of warriors from a single tribe underscores the widespread support for David's kingship. Numerically, the number 28,600 suggests completeness and readiness, as numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic meanings. This reflects the preparedness and willingness of the people to rally behind God's anointed leader.

ready for battle
The phrase "ready for battle" emphasizes the preparedness and willingness of the Danites to engage in warfare. In Hebrew, the concept of being "ready" often implies not just physical preparedness but also mental and spiritual readiness. This readiness is a testament to their commitment and loyalty to David, recognizing him as the rightful king chosen by God. Historically, this readiness would involve not only weapons and armor but also strategic planning and unity among the troops. Spiritually, it signifies the call for believers to be prepared to stand firm in their faith and to support God's chosen leaders in times of conflict.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Dan
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, traditionally descended from Dan, the fifth son of Jacob and Bilhah. The tribe of Dan was known for its warrior spirit and played a significant role in the military campaigns of Israel.

2. Men Ready for Battle
This phrase highlights the preparedness and willingness of the men from the tribe of Dan to engage in warfare. It underscores their commitment and readiness to support King David.

3. David's Reign
The context of this verse is the period when David was consolidating his rule over Israel. The support from various tribes, including Dan, was crucial for establishing his kingdom.
Teaching Points
Preparedness in Faith
Just as the men of Dan were ready for physical battle, Christians are called to be spiritually prepared. This involves being grounded in Scripture and prayer, ready to face spiritual challenges.

Unity and Support
The tribe of Dan's support for David highlights the importance of unity and collective effort in achieving God's purposes. Believers are encouraged to support one another in their spiritual journeys.

Commitment to God's Anointed
The men of Dan recognized David as God's chosen leader. Similarly, Christians are called to recognize and support the leadership within the church that aligns with God's will.

Spiritual Warfare
The readiness for battle can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual warfare. Believers must equip themselves with the armor of God to stand firm against spiritual adversaries.

Legacy of Faithfulness
The tribe of Dan's readiness serves as a reminder of the legacy we leave through our faithfulness and commitment to God's call.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the readiness of the men of Dan inspire you to be prepared in your spiritual life?

2. In what ways can you support the leadership in your church, similar to how the tribe of Dan supported David?

3. Reflect on a time when unity and collective effort in your community or church led to achieving a common goal. How can this be applied to current challenges?

4. How can the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18 be practically applied in your daily life?

5. What legacy of faithfulness are you building, and how can the example of the tribe of Dan motivate you to strengthen it?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Judges 18
This chapter provides background on the tribe of Dan, including their quest for territory and their warrior nature, which is consistent with their readiness for battle in 1 Chronicles 12:35.

Ephesians 6:10-18
This passage in the New Testament speaks about the armor of God, drawing a parallel to the readiness for spiritual battle, much like the physical readiness of the men of Dan.

Psalm 144:1
David praises God for training his hands for war, which connects to the theme of divine preparation and readiness for battle.
David's Mighty Men: Description and CharacterF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 12:23-40
Joy in (The) Israel (Of God)W. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 12:23-31, 33-40
The Hearts of All Men are in God's HandsR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 12:23-40
Single-MindednessR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 12:33-38
People
Aaron, Aaronites, Adnah, Ahiezer, Amasai, Asher, Attai, Azareel, Azmaveth, Bealiah, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Berachah, Danites, David, Eliab, Eliel, Elihu, Elkanah, Eluzai, Elzabad, Ezer, Gad, Gadites, Gedor, Gibeon, Ishmaiah, Ismaiah, Israelites, Issachar, Isshiah, Jahaziel, Jashobeam, Jediael, Jehoiada, Jehu, Jeremiah, Jerimoth, Jeroham, Jesiah, Jesse, Jeziel, Joash, Joelah, Joezer, Johanan, Josabad, Jozabad, Kish, Korahites, Korhites, Levi, Levites, Machbanai, Manasseh, Michael, Mishmannah, Naphtali, Obadiah, Pelet, Reuben, Reubenites, Saul, Shemaah, Shemariah, Shephatiah, Simeon, Simeonites, Zadok, Zebadiah, Zebulun, Zilthai
Places
Anathoth, Gederah, Gedor, Gibeah, Gibeon, Hebron, Jordan River, Ziklag
Topics
28, Arranging, 600, Battle, Danite, Danites, Draw, Eight, Equipped, Expert, Fight, Formation, Hundred, Ordering, Ready, Six, Thousand, Twenty, Twenty-eight, War
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 12:23-37

     8329   readiness

1 Chronicles 12:23-38

     5544   soldiers

1 Chronicles 12:24-37

     5208   armies

1 Chronicles 12:33-37

     5612   weapons

Library
Drill and Enthusiasm
'[Men that] could keep rank, they were not of double heart.'--1 CHRON. xii. 33. These words come from the muster-roll of the hastily raised army that brought David up to Hebron and made him King. The catalogue abounds in brief characterisations of the qualities of each tribe's contingent. For example, Issachar had 'understanding of the times.' Our text is spoken of the warriors of Zebulon, who had left their hills and their flocks in the far north, and poured down from their seats by the blue waters
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Channel of Power.
A Word that Sticks and Stings. I suppose everyone here can think of three or four persons whom he loves or regards highly, who are not christians. Can you? Perhaps in your own home circle, or in the circle of your close friends. They may be nice people, cultured, lovable, delightful companions, fond of music and good books, and all that; but this is true of them, that they do not trust and confess Jesus as a personal Savior. Can you think of such persons in your own circle? I am going to wait a
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

God's Answers
GOD'S ANSWERS: A RECORD OF MISS ANNIE MACPHERSON'S WORK AT THE HOME OF INDUSTRY, SPITALFIELDS, LONDON, AND IN CANADA. CLARA M. S. LOWE "Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee." --1 CHRON. xii. 18.
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

Beneath his Banner
"Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse."--1 Chron. xii. 18. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 'Twixt God and thee but love shall be; 'Twixt earth and thee distrust and fear, 'Twixt sin and thee shall be hate and war; And hope shall be 'twixt Heaven and thee Till night is o'er.
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

Epistle xxxix. To Anastasius, Bishop .
To Anastasius, Bishop [1602] . Gregory to Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14), because that great river which once had left the rocks of Antioch dry has returned at length to its proper channel, and waters the subject valleys that are near, so as also to bring forth fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some an hundred-fold. For now there is no doubt that many flowers of souls are growing up in its valleys, and that
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death,
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Watching the Horizon
"Thy Kingdom Come." "Thou art coming! We are waiting With a hope that cannot fail; Asking not the day or hour, Resting on Thy word of power, Anchored safe within the veil. Time appointed may be long, But the vision must be sure: Certainty shall make us strong, Joyful patience must endure. "O the joy to see Thee reigning, Thee, my own beloved Lord! Every tongue Thy name confessing, Worship, honour, glory, blessing, Brought to Thee with glad accord! Thee, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned!
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid'
'And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 6. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. 7. And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. 8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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