Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 12:3
Ahiezer their chief and Joash, who were the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite;
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler catalogs a group of warriors joining David, noting their martial skills and tribal lineage. This roster follows a description of archers who were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin and precedes a continuation of named leaders.
The words — הָ/רֹ֨אשׁ (ha./Rosh) literally means the/ chief, identifying Ahiezer’s leadership role. הַ/גִּבְעָתִ֔י (ha./giv.'a.Ti) literally means the/ Gibeathite, marking Joash’s geographic origin.
The thread — The Gibeathite designation connects to 1 Samuel 11:4 and 2 Samuel 21:6, which both reference Gibeah of Saul. The roster structure parallels the warrior lists in 1 Chronicles 11:28.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to track how David’s faction expanded by incorporating former royal tribal supporters. The text maps each commander’s family and hometown to establish their place within the larger military coalition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 11:28 Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,
- 1 Samuel 11:4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and relayed these words in the hearing of the people, they all wept aloud.
- 2 Samuel 21:6 let seven of his male descendants be delivered to us so that we may hang them before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the LORD.” “I will give them to you,” said the king.
- 1 Chronicles 11:33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,