Who were the Tizites in the Bible?

The Tizites were a clan from the tribe of Manasseh, known as mighty warriors. They are specifically mentioned as men who joined David's army when he was at Ziklag, fleeing from King Saul (1 Chronicles 12:20-21).

What is the significance of the Tizites joining David?

Their arrival demonstrated God's providence in building David's army and unifying Israel. As skilled warriors from Manasseh, their support showed that loyalty to David was spreading beyond Judah, even while Saul was still king.

Where in the Bible are the Tizites mentioned?

The Tizites are mentioned only once in the Bible, in 1 Chronicles 12:20-21. This passage lists the mighty men from various tribes who defected to David's side at Ziklag, strengthening his forces.

Tizites

Old TestamentFemaleManasseh family

The Tizites were a clan from the tribe of Manasseh, mentioned among the mighty warriors who joined David at Ziklag.

Tizites

Biography

The Tizites were a clan associated with the tribe of Manasseh who are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:20 as part of the group of Manassite warriors who defected to David at Ziklag while he was still living among the Philistines under Achish. The text describes these men as "heads of thousands in Manasseh", experienced military commanders of significant standing. The name Tizite may derive from the place name Tiz or Tizia, an otherwise unknown location within the territory of Manasseh. Like the other tribal warriors who joined David before his accession, the Tizites recognized David's divinely appointed kingship before it was publicly established, aligning themselves with God's chosen leader during a period of uncertainty and danger.

Significance

The defection of Manassite warriors, including the Tizites, to David at Ziklag illustrates the gradual coalescence of support around God's anointed king, a pattern that mirrors the larger theological theme of the Davidic covenant. These men abandoned the established order under Saul and took a politically and militarily dangerous step by joining an outlaw leader. Their recognition of David's legitimacy before the wider nation acknowledged it reflects the principle that God's purposes often advance through those willing to align with His chosen instruments before their vindication is apparent. The Chronicler's preservation of these clan names affirms that corporate faithfulness, even among relatively obscure groups, is recorded and honored within God's historical memory.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 11:45

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources