12:1 Ziklag Town near Israel’s southwestern border. It was given to David by the Philistine king Achish when David was fleeing from Saul (1 Sam 27:5–7). He lived there more than a year, until Saul’s death (2 Sam 1:1–2:4).

12:18 the Spirit came upon In the ot, this phrase is used to describe people who are enabled to perform divinely appointed tasks. It is similar to descriptions of Yahweh’s Spirit coming upon people (e.g., Judg 3:10).

12:19 sent him away Parallels account in 1 Sam 29:1–11.

12:23 David at Hebron David ruled in Hebron as king over Judah for two years, while Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was king over Israel (2 Sam 2:4–4:12).

12:29 remained loyal to the house of Saul An emphasis of the support for David, as even those who had been loyal to Saul come to accept David’s rule.

12:32 know what Israel should do Refers to discerning God’s choice for Israel’s king—David, not Ish-bosheth.

12:33 help David with singleness of purpose The Chronicler emphasizes the unity of those who came to help David. They had one purpose: to make David king (1 Chron 12:38).

12:38 one heart The Hebrew phrase used here, lev echad, literally rendered as “one heart”—along with levav shalem earlier in the verse (meaning “a complete heart” or “full intent”)—portrays Israel as completely unified under David.

12:39 they were there with David three days The coronation of David as king is accompanied by a long feast.

12:40 joy in Israel The Chronicler often emphasizes the joy associated with worshiping or fulfilling the word of Yahweh (e.g., 15:16; 29:9; 2 Chr 15:15; 29:30; 30:21–26).