I Chronicles 12

"There was joy indeed in Israel" (v39). Newly crowned (11:3), David was ruling from Hebron (v23). Group by group, the tribes came to pledge allegiance to him, saying, "We are yours, O David" (v18). Excited by the hope David represented, they came "with an undivided heart" (v33), ready to help build a kingdom. The Philistines were still a threat, but those who joined David celebrated a new beginning.

Like this "army of God (v22), there is tremendous power when believers live by "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3).