1 Chronicles 12 is the twelfth chapter of the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE. This chapter contains the list of people who joined David: before his coronation (verses 1–22) and after he was made king in Hebron (verses 23–40). The whole chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingship of David (1 Chronicles 9:35 to 29:30).

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language. It is divided into 40 verses.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^Q; 6th century).

1 Chronicles 11 and 12 combine a 'variety of chronologically and geographically disparate lists' to establish the unity of "all Israel" (north and south), with their unanimous recognition of David's kingship. The outer framework consists of David's anointing at Hebron (1 Chronicles 11:1–3; 12:38–40) to enclose the lists of the warriors who attended the festivities (11:10–47; 12:23–38). The inner framework comprises the lists of David's forces while at Ziklag (12:1–7; 12:19–22) to enclose the warriors who joined him at “the stronghold” (12:8–18).

The first set of lists of the chapter contains the warriors joining David before he became king. It divides into four sections: the Benjaminites who came to David in Ziklag (verses 1–8); the Gadites who came to David's mountain stronghold (verses 9–16), as well as the people of Benjamin and Judah (verses 17–19); the people of Manasseh came to David in Ziklag (verses 20–22). Although only four tribes were mentioned, the structure clearly points to the conclusion in verse 22, that David got much support. The account of Manassites summarizes some incidents in 1 Samuel 28–30.

This passage suggests that some people of Benjamin defected to David while Saul was still reigning (cf. 2 Samuel 2:12–32).

Amasai's prophetic words, with "peace" (Hebrew: שָׁל֜וֹם, shā-lōm) mentioned three times, speak of David's closeness with his supporters at the beginning of his rise to power. This relationship would be dissolved when the kingdom was divided in the time of Rehoboam's reign (2 Chronicles 10:16).