1 Chronicles 12:8–15

The Gadites, courageous men of war, separated themselves to David. The children of Benjamin and Judah committed themselves to David: "We are yours, David, and on your side, son of Jesse." Separation to David meant standing with him and his interests, and turning away from Saul and his interests. That was a very serious and deliberate decision to make. Commitment to David meant they accepted his complete control over them. These two features are indispensable for an army. Soldiers who have no interests but those of their commander in chief, and who are loyal to his commands, make up an army that will be formidable in battle.

Separated to David, they were ready for the service of David. It is the same in 2 Timothy 2. Those who are separated to the Lord, and call on Him together out of a pure heart, are ready for His service — "sanctified and useful to the Master."

They could engage in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, being vigorous and fast, as is right in such a situation.

The first notable feature in the sons of Gad was that they were a separated company; they had gone out, not come in… In their separation they found strength, courage, skill, boldness, eagerness. These are the qualities of a heart separated to Christ. Before any of these qualities show in action, they must cross the Jordan while it is overflowing its banks (v. 15). They had to pass through death before they could serve!

Remember that the Gadites had received their inheritance on the other side of the Jordan. So did the Reubenites and half the tribe of Manasseh. They had chosen what suited themselves and their flocks (Numbers 32), instead of the land flowing with milk and honey… They had sunk far below the height of their calling. That is exactly why it is so remarkable that God was still working in power among them… For David's sake they had abandoned home and everything, and were ready to endure hardship, as good soldiers of the host of God.

They lived on the far side of the Jordan. That river was as impossible an obstacle as in the days when the people arrived opposite Jericho. "These are the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it overflows all its banks" (v. 15). This time they needed no miracle to pass over. They knew the Jordan had already given way before the people of God. Strong in the conviction of faith, they overcame this obstacle to join the one who drew them like a loving sovereign.

David needed such men, for he was a man of war. But he was also a man with a great and tender heart, and he valued devotion to his person above everything else. Who can say that the crippled son of Jonathan did not give him more pleasure in the long run than the fearless veterans of his old guard?

Remember that the Gadites had received their inheritance on the other side of the Jordan, along with the Reubenites and half the tribe of Manasseh. They had chosen what suited themselves and their flocks (Numbers 32), instead of the land flowing with milk and honey... So they had sunk far below their calling. That is exactly why it is so striking to see that God was still working in power among them.

The first thing to notice about the sons of Gad is that they were a separated company. They had gone out, not come in... These separated sons of Gad were men of might and of war. They could handle large shields and small ones. Their faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains. Their strength, courage, skill, boldness and readiness were all found in that separation. These are the qualities of a heart separated to Christ.

They lived on the far side of the Jordan, and that river blocked them just as it had blocked the people when they arrived opposite Jericho... This time no miracle was needed to let them cross. They knew the Jordan had once given way before the people of God. Sure of that in faith, they overcame the obstacle and reached the man who drew them like a loving king.

...one of those sample pages from the book of eternity, where the finger of God has written the names of His servants and the record of their work... Each one has his own special place on the roll, and each one his place in the Master's heart. It will all come to light one day. Among David's mighty men we have "the first three," "the three" and "the thirty." Not one of "the thirty" ever reached a place among "the three."

You may find it worth digging out the meaning of the eleven names given here. Except for the last, they all speak of grace and the work of the Spirit. The last one means a "cloak." Every company on earth has its flaw, and perhaps its traitor — even the group of twelve disciples did.

The leading men in this list joined David while he was a fugitive and an outcast (1 Chron. 12:1-22). We are told where they came from (1 Sam. 22:2). It is one of many cases of God taking up the men others despised and lifting them high.

David needed men like these, for he was a man of war. But he was also a man with a great and tender heart, and he valued devotion to himself above everything else. Who can say that the crippled son of Jonathan did not give him more joy in the long run than the fearless veterans of his old guard?

They could fight the enemy hand to hand, being strong and swift, as that situation called for. These men of Gad, whom we have seen already so careful about the genealogy that joined them to God's people, are quick to acknowledge this people's leader.

The Christian soldier in whose soul the truth produces a clear energy in life and ways becomes, to a greater or lesser degree, an "officer" in the Lord's army. He is a captain of a hundred or of a thousand according to how far the Spirit acts in him without hindrance. The power of Christ within him influences other Christians in the ways of the Lord.

The true secret of Jashobeam's success was his attachment to David, whose rejection and sufferings he shared... Our service for the Anointed of God now may have something distinctive about it, as the kingdom rewards will later. But faithful and fruitful service results only as the love of Christ constrains us to cleave to Him.

They had chosen what suited themselves and their flocks (Numbers 32) instead of the land flowing with milk and honey. The eyes of the Lord their God rested on that land always, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. So they had sunk far below the height of their calling. For that very reason it is all the more remarkable that God was still working in power among them... For David's sake they had given up home and everything, and were ready to endure hardship, as good soldiers of the army of God.

In the profession of Christianity there are three classes of people, and Israel gives the picture of them. Two and a half tribes settled east of the Jordan and refused to live in the place God appointed for them. These represent true saints of God, but saints who refuse to take a heavenly position while on earth... Second: those who are true believers, and often very valiant for the truth when they find it attacked (1 Chr. 12:14-15, 37), but who fail to reckon themselves heavenly men on earth, and who are, as a result, earthly-minded to some extent.

To be separated to David meant separation to him and his interests, and separation from Saul and his interests. A very serious and deliberate decision to make. To be committed to David meant acknowledging his complete control over them. These two features are indispensable for an army. Soldiers who have no interests but those of their commander in chief, and who are loyal to his commands, make up an army that will be formidable in battle.