1 Chronicles 12:18
Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
Original Language Analysis
וְר֣וּחַ
Then the spirit
H7307
וְר֣וּחַ
Then the spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
1 of 24
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
לָֽבְשָׁ֗ה
came
H3847
לָֽבְשָׁ֗ה
came
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרָאשֵׁ֥י
them captains
H7218
בְּרָאשֵׁ֥י
them captains
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
5 of 24
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
דָּוִ֔יד
and he said Thine are we David
H1732
דָּוִ֔יד
and he said Thine are we David
Strong's:
H1732
Word #:
8 of 24
david, the youngest son of jesse
וְעִמְּךָ֣
H5973
וְעִמְּךָ֣
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
9 of 24
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בֶן
and on thy side thou son
H1121
בֶן
and on thy side thou son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְשָׁלוֹם֙
be unto thee and peace
H7965
וְשָׁלוֹם֙
be unto thee and peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
12 of 24
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וְשָׁלוֹם֙
be unto thee and peace
H7965
וְשָׁלוֹם֙
be unto thee and peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
13 of 24
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וְשָׁלוֹם֙
be unto thee and peace
H7965
וְשָׁלוֹם֙
be unto thee and peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
15 of 24
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
for thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
for thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיְקַבְּלֵ֣ם
received
H6901
וַיְקַבְּלֵ֣ם
received
Strong's:
H6901
Word #:
20 of 24
to admit, i.e., take (literally or figuratively)
דָּוִ֔יד
and he said Thine are we David
H1732
דָּוִ֔יד
and he said Thine are we David
Strong's:
H1732
Word #:
21 of 24
david, the youngest son of jesse
וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם
them and made
H5414
וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם
them and made
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
22 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Judges 6:34But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.Judges 3:10And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim.2 Samuel 17:25And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.1 Chronicles 2:17And Abigail bare Amasa: and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmeelite.Matthew 12:30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.Galatians 6:16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.2 Kings 9:32And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs.2 Kings 10:5And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.Ruth 1:16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Historical Context
David's mighty men joined him during Saul's persecution (c. 1012 BCE), risking their lives to align with God's chosen king. Their loyalty during David's suffering anticipated reward in his reign, paralleling believers who suffer with Christ to reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).
Questions for Reflection
- What does Spirit-enabled confession of allegiance to Christ look like in your life and circumstances?
- How does recognizing that 'your God helps you' affect your willingness to align with fellow believers?
Analysis & Commentary
Amasai's Spirit-inspired declaration 'Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee' demonstrates covenant allegiance. The phrase 'the Spirit came upon Amasai' shows divine enablement for this confession. The threefold 'peace' (shalom) pronouncement extends blessing. Most significantly, the reason clause 'for thy God helpeth thee' recognizes David's success comes from divine aid. This voluntary submission to God's anointed king prefigures believers' Spirit-enabled confession of Christ as Lord and our covenant union with Him.