Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

1 CHRONICLES 12:1KJV
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1 Chronicles 12:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 12:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 12:1 introduces men who joined David at Ziklag during the time he was keeping out of Saul’s reach. They came as capable fighters who could help David in war, before he became king over all Israel.

The phrase “kept himself close” pictures David staying out of sight because of Saul, the king who pursued him. The writer identifies Saul as “the son of Kish,” distinguishing him by his family.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 12:1

  • “close” — עָצַר (ʿatsar): The word can mean to restrain or shut in. Here, David’s movements are restricted while he keeps away from Saul.
  • “mighty men” — גִּבּוֹר (gibbor): The word often describes a strong or capable warrior. It points to the men’s fighting ability, not simply to their physical strength.

Why 1 Chronicles 12:1 matters

  • David had supporters before he became king over all Israel. The words “while he yet kept himself close” place their arrival during the period when Saul was still a threat to him.
  • The group’s loyalty crossed a family boundary. Verse 2 identifies some of these men as Saul’s fellow Benjaminites, yet they came to help David.
  • The men brought useful skills as well as numbers. Verse 2 describes them as able to use both hands with bows and slings, adding detail to the phrase “helpers of the war.”

Where else these words appear

“Ziklag” Hebrew H6860 · used in 12 verses

  • Joshua 15:31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
  • 2 Samuel 4:10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:

“Kish” Hebrew H7027 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
  • 2 Samuel 21:14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:21 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

“close” Hebrew H6113 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
  • 1 Kings 8:35 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
  • 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

“helpers” Hebrew H5826 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
  • 2 Chronicles 20:23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
  • Psalms 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.