I Chronicles 12:40 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 12:40 Commentary: Joy at David's Coronation
Hebrew · 5 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Discover the meaning behind the lavish provisions for David's coronation feast and the joy that united all Israel under God's anointed king.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A united Israel joyfully supplies an abundant feast for David’s coronation, showing wholehearted acceptance of God’s anointed king.
- Key words: Bread, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle, sheep, joy.
- Main debate: Whether the numbers and supplies are literal history or idealized symbolism; most commentators accept the historical core.
- Theological theme: Joyful provision for God’s king prefigures the Messianic banquet and the unity of God’s people under Christ.
- Best use: Coronation or enthronement passages, sermons on unity, generosity, and joy in worship.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: supplies of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.
KJV King James Version 1769
Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Moreover they that were nigh unto them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, victuals of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Israel.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And also those near unto them, unto Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, are bringing in bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen--food of fine flour, fig-cakes and grape-cakes, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep, in abundance, for joy is in Israel.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
and those too that were near them, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought food on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen; provisions of meal, fig-cakes and raisin-cakes, and wine and oil, and oxen and sheep, abundantly; for there was joy in Israel.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Moreover they that were near them even as far as Issachar, and Zabulon, and Nephtali, brought loaves on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, to eat: meal, figs, raisins, wine, oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance, for there was joy in Israel.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y también los que les eran vecinos, hasta Issachâr y Zabulón y Nephtalí, trajeron pan en asnos, y camellos, y mulos, y bueyes; y provisión de harina, masas de higos, y pasas, vino y aceite, bueyes y ovejas en abundancia, porque en Israel había alegría.
E também os seus vizinhos, até de Issacar, Zebulom, e Naftali, trouxeram pão sobre asnos, camelos, mulos, e bois; e alimento de farinha, bolos de figos e passas, vinho e azeite, bois e ovelhas em abundância, porque havia alegria em Israel.
Et même ceux qui habitaient près d’ eux jusqu’ à Issacar, à Zabulon et à Nephthali, apportaient des aliments sur des ânes, sur des chameaux, sur des mulets et sur des bœufs, des mets de farine, des masses de figues sèches et de raisins secs, du vin, de l’huile, des bœufs et des brebis en abondance, car Israël était dans la joie.
Auch welche die nächsten um sie waren, bis hin an Isaschar, Sebulon und Naphthali, die brachten Brot auf Eseln, Kamelen, Maultieren und Rindern, Speise von Mehl, Kuchen von Feigen und Rosinen, Wein, Öl, Rinder, Schafe die Menge; denn es war Freude in Israel.
En ook de naasten aan hen, tot aan Issaschar, en Zebulon, en Nafthali, brachten brood op ezelen, en op kemelen, en op muildieren, en op runderen, meelspijs, stukken vijgen, en stukken rozijnen, en wijn, en olie, en runderen, en klein vee in menigte; want er was blijdschap in Israel.
E anche quelli ch’eran loro vicini, e perfino gente da Issacar, da Zabulon e da Neftali, portavan dei viveri sopra asini, sopra cammelli, sopra muli e su buoi: farina, fichi secchi, uva secca, vino, olio, buoi e pecore in abbondanza; perché v’era gioia in Israele.
Także i którzy blisko ich byli aż do Isaschar i Zabulon i Neftalim, przynosili chleby na osłach, i na wielbłądach, i na mułach, i na wołach, potrawy, mąki, figi, rodzynki, i wino, i oliwę, i wołów, i owiec wielkim dostatkiem; bo była radość w Izraelu.
да и близкие к ним, даже до колена Иссахарова, Завулонова и Неффалимова, привозили все съестное на ослах, и верблюдах, и мулах, и волах: муку, смоквы, и изюм, и вино, и елей, и крупного и мелкого скота множество, так как радость была для Израиля.
靠近 他們的人以及 以薩迦、西布倫、拿弗他利人 將許多麵餅、無花果餅、乾葡萄、酒、油，用驢、駱駝、騾子、牛 馱來，又帶了許多 的牛 和羊來，因為 以色列 人甚是歡樂。
And those who were near, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, came with food on asses and camels and mules and oxen, with meal for food and cakes of figs and masses of grapes, and wine and oil and oxen and sheep in great numbers, for there was joy in Israel.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions recognize this verse as a vivid snapshot of national unity at David's coronation. The Cambridge Bible notes that relatives cared for the needs of the assembled warriors, so that even northern tribes like Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali sent provisions. Gill observes the abundance, “bread on asses, camels, mules, and oxen”, interpreting the joy as relief from civil war. Matthew Henry emphasizes that all Israel came “with a perfect heart” and the feast expressed their heartfelt support. Lange places the verse in the Chronicler’s unique military lists, which culminate in this festive celebration. Together, they agree that the verse portrays Israel’s wholehearted acceptance of God’s chosen king, expressed through tangible generosity and shared joy. The specific gifts, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle, sheep, echo earlier hospitality scenes (1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Samuel 16:1), confirming that this was a feast of covenant loyalty.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The verse describes a joyful feast in which the northern tribes provided abundant supplies for David's coronation, marking a moment of national unity under God's chosen king.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Historicity of the provisions | The Chronicler presents the event as historical: a real feast with real food brought by real tribes. | Some scholars see the numbers and extent as stylized or symbolic; others read them as literal and accurate. Both sides affirm the theological point of unity. |
| Joy as political or spiritual | The joy is genuine and shared across the nation. | Some traditions read the joy as primarily political (end of civil war); others emphasize its religious character (acknowledgment of God’s anointed). The text itself does not separate the two. |
| Typological meaning for Christ | David is consistently seen as a type of Christ in Christian interpretation. | Some caution against reading this specific feast as a direct prophecy of the Messianic banquet; others see a clear foreshadowing. Gill, for example, explicitly links it to the joy of “Zion’s King.” |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse closes a long section unique to the Chronicler. Chapter 12 sits within the larger account of David’s rise to sole kingship. For seven years David reigned over Judah from Hebron while the northern tribes followed Ishbosheth, son of Saul. After a civil war, the elders of Israel came to Hebron to anoint David king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-3). The Chronicler records the military contingents that arrived (vv.23-37), their numbers, their skill, their unity of heart. Verses 38-40 describe the feast that followed. “They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had supplied provisions for them” (v.39). Our verse names the provisioners: those near to the gathering, reaching as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, some of the most remote northern tribes.
The list of supplies, flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle, sheep, is a typical array of festive foods. Gill notes that oxen, used for ploughing, might here draw wagons or carry loads. The means of transport, donkeys, camels, mules, oxen, signals a massive cooperative effort to sustain a three-day gathering of tens of thousands. The verse ends with the foundational statement: “for there was joy in Israel.” This joy is a key theme in Chronicles, often associated with proper worship and divine blessing (1 Chronicles 29:9; 2 Chronicles 30:26). It contrasts sharply with the division and sorrow of the preceding years.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The differences among English translations (e.g., “meat” in KJV vs. “supplies of flour” in WEB) reflect translational choices rather than manuscript divergence. The Hebrew text is stable.
Reception History
Early church interpreters read this verse within the larger narrative of David’s anointing, seeing David as a type of Christ and the feast as a prefiguration of the Eucharist or the heavenly banquet. Medieval commentators emphasized the moral lesson of generosity and unity. Reformation-era notes (Geneva, Matthew Henry) focused on the national repentance and joy that follow the establishment of a godly king. In modern times, the verse is often cited in discussions of Christian unity, hospitality, and the joy of serving God’s chosen leader. Its placement in the Chronicler’s unique material has also drawn attention to the distinct theological themes of that book.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Generosity from far and near. The northernmost tribes (Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali) brought food on every available animal. Their distance did not diminish their giving. The feast was a whole-kingdom effort.
- Tangible expressions of unity. The specific items, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle, were not just food; they were covenant gifts. They matched the gifts brought to earlier allies (1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Samuel 16:1). Giving in kind marked belonging.
- Joy as the mark of God’s reign. The verse’s final clause explains everything: “for there was joy in Israel.” The Chronicler repeatedly links joy with God’s presence and anointed leadership (1 Chronicles 29:9, 2 Chronicles 30:26). This joy is not shallow excitement; it is the settled gladness of a people restored to their king.
Five-point outline
- The setting: A three-day feast after a national coronation.
- The providers: Neighbors, then tribes from as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali.
- The provisions: Flour cakes, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle, sheep, abundant and varied.
- The logistics: Donkeys, camels, mules, oxen, every beast pressed into service.
- The motive: Joy in Israel, a national, shared gladness over God’s chosen king.
Illustration hooks
- Potluck Sunday: A church picnic where families bring enough to feed the whole congregation, each dish a small token of belonging.
- School fund drive: Families from distant neighborhoods driving hours to drop off supplies, their cars packed with goods, not because they were asked, but because they wanted to be part of something big.
- Community after disaster: Volunteers arriving with trucks full of water and food, not waiting to be organized, simply showing up because the need is clear and they care.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does my giving (time, resources, presence) reflect wholehearted support for Christ’s kingdom, or just duty?
- How can our church cultivate the kind of joy that makes people want to give extravagantly?
- What does it look like to celebrate God’s anointed King today in a way that unites rather than divides?
Leading a Discussion
This small group study explores 1 Chronicles 12:40 as a window into Israel’s unity and joy when God’s chosen king takes his throne. As you read the verse, notice every detail: the animals, the food, the distance traveled. Then ask what these details reveal about the community’s heart.
Discussion questions
- List everything the verse mentions being brought to the feast. What does the variety and quantity suggest about the people’s attitude toward David?
- Why do you think the Chronicler specifically names Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali? What does their inclusion say about the scope of support for David?
- The verse ends with “for there was joy in Israel.” What caused this joy? How is it different from happiness or temporary excitement?
- Compare the gifts here with those in 1 Samuel 25:18 and 2 Samuel 16:1. What patterns do you see? What do these gifts communicate about relationship?
- In what ways does our church or small group tangibly express support for Christ as King? How could we grow in joyful generosity?
- The people brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen, every available resource. What “resources” do we have that we could use to celebrate God’s goodness and serve his people?
- How can we tell when joy is genuine and when it is expected? What safeguards keep celebration from becoming performance?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Samuel 25:18 | Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two containers of wine, five sheep ready dressed, five seahs of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. |
| II Samuel 16:1 | When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a container of wine. |
| II Samuel 17:27 | When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, |
| II Samuel 17:29 | honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.” |
| I Kings 1:40 | All the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound. |
| II Kings 11:20 | So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword at the king’s house. |
| Proverbs 11:10 | When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting. |
| Proverbs 29:2 | When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible highlights how even warriors from distant northern tribes like Issachar received provisions from relatives, not from a central supply. The care extended from those nearby to the farthest, showing communal family support. The commentary also clarifies the original terms for meal and raisin clusters.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Note observes that the remote tribes of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali all brought abundant provisions of every kind on pack animals. This generous outpouring is explained simply: there was joy in Israel, and their gladness expressed itself in practical care for one another.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the great joy in Israel when tribes far and near brought abundant supplies to David at Hebron, celebrating the end of civil war and the reign of a king after God's own heart. He then draws a typological connection: this joy foreshadows the far greater joy when David's greater Son, the Messiah, reigns as King over all the earth.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the surprising, uneven distribution of tribal forces in this list is evidence of its historical authenticity, since a fabricated account would have been more proportional. He finds the inclusion of Dan and the small numbers for Benjamin (still loyal to Saul) and Judah (already committed) consistent with genuine ancient records.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry sees this detailed military census as more than a roll call; it is a display of God's providential ordering of events. The tribes came willingly, each contributing their particular strengths, fulfilling the divine plan to establish David's kingdom. The list demonstrates that God's word was accomplished through a unified and purposeful gathering.