1Ch 12:21 | KingComments | STEP | Also from Manasseh there are those who choose David’s side in the time of his rejection. Seven army officers from Manasseh come to David when he lives in Ziklag. This is shortly before Saul is killed by the Philistines with whom David should go to war. In His grace God keeps David and also these men of Manasseh to go to battle together with the Philistines. He makes sure that the city princes do not want David to go with them in their fight against Saul ( ). The Manassites have helped David in his battle against the Amalekites, among others, who destroyed Ziklag during his absence ( ). Through all who come to David, his army becomes “a great army like the army of God” ( ). David is helped by God, Who allows warriors to come to him to give substance to this help. At the same time, David’s army is an “army of God”. What we see in this whole section, we can also apply to our time. We see God’s kingdom expanding. This is not done through political efforts. Gospel and politics cannot be combined in order to extend the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom expands every time someone comes to repentance. At that moment someone accepts the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord and comes into His sphere of authority and under His authority. To enter the kingdom of God, the power of faith is needed, for only faith overcomes the world ( ; ).

‏ 1 Chronicles 12:21

Manassites

Also from Manasseh there are those who choose David’s side in the time of his rejection. Seven army officers from Manasseh come to David when he lives in Ziklag. This is shortly before Saul is killed by the Philistines with whom David should go to war. In His grace God keeps David and also these men of Manasseh to go to battle together with the Philistines. He makes sure that the city princes do not want David to go with them in their fight against Saul (1Sam 29:4). The Manassites have helped David in his battle against the Amalekites, among others, who destroyed Ziklag during his absence (1Sam 30:1-8).

Through all who come to David, his army becomes “a great army like the army of God” (1Chr 12:22). David is helped by God, Who allows warriors to come to him to give substance to this help. At the same time, David’s army is an “army of God”.

What we see in this whole section, we can also apply to our time. We see God’s kingdom expanding. This is not done through political efforts. Gospel and politics cannot be combined in order to extend the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom expands every time someone comes to repentance. At that moment someone accepts the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord and comes into His sphere of authority and under His authority. To enter the kingdom of God, the power of faith is needed, for only faith overcomes the world (Mt 11:12; 1Jn 5:4).