The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.

1 CHRONICLES 12:24KJV
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1 Chronicles 12:24 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 12:24 mean?

1 Chronicles 12:24 lists the number of men from the tribe of Judah who joined David, describing 6,800 warriors equipped with shields and spears, ready for battle. The verse highlights their preparedness and the significant support David received from Judah as he was gathering forces.

This verse is part of a larger section where the writer is recording the numbers and readiness of various Israelite tribes who came to support David at Hebron, as he was about to become king. The focus on shields and spears shows these men were not just present, but properly armed and organized for war, underlining the seriousness and commitment of Judah’s contribution.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 12:24

  • "children" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word refers to the descendants or members of the tribe, not just literal children. Here, it means the fighting men representing Judah.
  • "bare" (נָשָׂא, nāśā’): This verb means to carry or bear. It emphasizes that these men were actively holding or equipped with their weapons, not just counted as potential soldiers.
  • "armed" (חָלוּץ, ḥālūṣ): This word often means "prepared" or "equipped for battle." It stresses that these men were not only present but ready and organized for military action.

Why 1 Chronicles 12:24 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Judah’s support for David was both substantial in number and serious in intent, showing the tribe’s loyalty and readiness to defend or fight for David’s kingship.
  • The specific mention of shields and spears points to the practical military strength and preparedness, not just ceremonial presence.
  • Understanding the numbers and equipment helps readers see the scale and organization of David’s support, which is a key theme in this chapter as the tribes unite behind him.

Where else these words appear

“spear” Hebrew H7420 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
  • 2 Chronicles 11:12 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
  • Nehemiah 4:16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.

“shield” Hebrew H6793 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:12 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
  • Proverbs 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

“armed” Hebrew H2502 · used in 44 verses

  • Leviticus 14:40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
  • Joshua 4:13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
  • Psalms 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

“eight” Hebrew H8083 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 5:4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
  • 1 Kings 7:10 And the foundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits, and stones of eight cubits.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.