In my morning meeting with The Boss He said, “A bunch of stouthearted fellows came to help David when he was subversively living with the Philistines! These guys had faces of lions, and they were swift as gazelles upon the mountains. There were even 3,000 dudes from the tribe of Benjamin who defected from Saul’s team to join David in Ziklag![1] And of the half-tribe of Manasseh, 18,000 men – who were expressly named – came to anoint David king (like somekind of official ordination commission). Of Issachar, there were men who HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES (these were the type of guys who KNEW WHAT ISRAEL OUGHT TO DO), and they also came to help David while he was living in enemy territory. And from Zebulun there were 50,000 seasoned troops, equipped for battle with all weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose! Of Naphtali 1,000 commanders with whom were 37,000 men armed with shield and spear. Of the Danites 28,600 men equipped for battle. Of Asher 40,000 seasoned troops ready for battle. Of the Reubenites and Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh from beyond the Jordan, 120,000 men armed with all the weapons of war! All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. They were of a single mind to make David king. And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them. And many came bringing food on donkeys and on camels and on mules and on oxen, abundant provisions of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, and wine and oil, oxen and sheep, for there was joy!”

[1] Truth be told, David was a bit wary when these guys arrived. David didn’t just receive them with no questions asked. David grilled them to some degree. David said, “If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if you betray me to my adversaries, then may the God of our father see and rebuke you.” Then the Spirit clothed Amasai, chief of the thirty, and he said, “We are yours, O David, and we are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers! For God helps you.” Then David received them and made them officers of his troops.