Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
We have here an account of those that appeared and acted as David's friends, upon the death of Saul, to bring about the revolution. All the forces he had, while he was persecuted, was but 600 men, who served for his guards; but, when the time had come that he must begin to act offensively, Providence brought in more to his assistance.
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 12:1-22
1Ch 12:8-13 The Gadites, Benjamites, and men of Judah who joined themselves to David during his sojourn in the mountain fastness. - 1Ch 12:8. David’s sojourn in the mountain hold falls in the first years of his flight from Saul, 1Sa 22:1. מצד, pointed with Pathach instead of with Kamets (מצד, cf. 1Ch 12:16), on account of its intimate connection with מדבּרה, is synonymous with מצוּדה (1Sa 24:22, etc.).
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 12:8-13