1 Chronicles 12
1 Now these are they that came to David to Siceleg, while he yet fled from Saul the son of Cia, and they were most valiant and excellent warriors,
The following is a list of the men who joined David when he was at Ziklag, still hiding from Saul, son of Kish. They were some of the leading warriors who fought on David's side.
2 Bending the bow, and using either hand in hurling stones with slings, and shooting arrows: of the brethren of Saul of Benjamin.
They were all skilled archers, and could shoot arrows or slingshots with their right or their left hands. They were relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin.
3 The chief was Ahiezer, and Joas, the sons of Samaa of Gabaath, and Jaziel, and Phallet the sons of Azmoth, and Beracha, and Jehu an Anathothite.
Ahiezer was their leader, then Joash; the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite;
4 And Samaias of Gabaon, the stoutest amongst the thirty and over the thirty; Jeremias, and Jeheziel, and Johanan, and Jezabad of Gaderoth;
Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, (a strong warrior among the Thirty, and leader over the Thirty); Jeremiah; Jahaziel; Johanan; Jozabad the Gederathite;
5 And Eluzai, and Jerimuth, and Baalia, and Samaria, and Saphatia the Haruphite;
Eluzai; Jerimoth; Bealiah; Shemariah; Shephatiah the Haruphite;
6 Elcana, and Jesia, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jesbaam of Carehim:
Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam (they were Korahites);
7 And Joela, and Zabadia the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.
8 From Gaddi also there went over to David, when he lay hid in the wilderness most valiant men, and excellent warriors, holding shield and spear: whose faces were like the faces of a lion, and they were swift like the roebucks on the mountains.
Some warriors from the tribe of Gad went over to David's side when he was at the stronghold in the desert. They were strong and experienced warriors, battle-hardened, experts in the use of shields and spears. Their faces looked as fierce as lions, and they ran as fast as gazelles in the mountains.
9 Ezer the chief, Obdias the second, Eliab the third,
Ezer the was the leader, Obadiah (second), Eliab (third),
10 Masmana the fourth, Jeremias the fifth.
Mishmannah (fourth), Jeremiah (fifth),
11 Ethi the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
Attai (sixth), Eliel (seventh),
12 Johanan the eighth, Elzebad the ninth,
Johanan (eighth), Elzabad (ninth),
13 Jerenias the tenth, Machbani the eleventh,
Jeremiah (tenth), Machbannai (eleventh).
14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the army: the least of them was captain over a hundred soldiers, and the greatest over a thousand.
These warriors from Gad were army officers. The least able of them was in charge of 100 men; the best was in charge of 1,000.
15 These are they who passed over the Jordan in the first month, when it is used to how over its banks: and they put to flight all that dwelt in the valleys both toward the east and toward the west.
These were ones who crossed the Jordan River in the first month of the year when it overflows its banks. They chased out all the people living in the valley, both to the east and to the west.
16 And there came also of the men of Benjamin, and of Juda to the hold, in which David abode.
Some others from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah also came to join David at the stronghold.
17 And David went out to meet them, and said: If you are come peaceably to me to help me, let my heart be joined to you: but if you plot against me for my enemies whereas I have no iniquity in my hands, let the God of our fathers see, and judge.
David went out to meet them and told them, “If you've come in peace to help me, we can be friends. But if you've come to betray me to my enemies, even though I've done no wrong, then may the God of our fathers see what you're doing and condemn you.”
18 But the spirit came upon Amasai the chief among thirty, and he said: We are thine, O David, and for thee, O son of Isai: peace, peace be to thee, and peace to thy helpers. For thy God helpeth thee. So David received them, and made them captains of the band.
Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the leader of the Thirty. “We are yours, David, and we are with you, son of Jesse! May peace, prosperity, and success be yours and those who help you, for God is the one who is helping you.” So David allowed them to join him, and put them in charge of his bands of raiders.
19 And there were some of Manasses that went over to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to fight: but he did not fight with them: because the lords of the Philistines taking counsel sent him back, saying: With the danger of our heads he will return to his master Saul.
Others came over to David's side from the tribe of Manasseh and joined him when he went with Philistines to attack Saul. However, the Philistine rulers eventually decided to send them away, saying to themselves, “It will cost us our heads if he deserts us and goes over to his master Saul.”
20 So when he went back to Siceleg, there fled to him of Manasses, Ednas and Jozabad, and Jedihel, and Michael, and Ednas, and Jozabad, and Eliu, and Salathi, captains of thousands in Manasses.
The following is a list of the men from Manasseh who went over to David's side as he returned to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders of thousands in Manasseh.
21 These helped David against the rovers: for they were all most valiant men, and were made commanders in the army.
They helped David against raiders for they were all strong and experienced warriors and commanders in the army.
22 Moreover day by day there came some to David to help him till they became a great number, like the army of God.
Men arrived daily to help David until he had a large army, like the army of God.
23 And this is the number of the chiefs of the army who came to David, when he was in Hebron, to transfer to him the kingdom of Saul, according to the word of the Lord.
This is a list of the numbers of armed warriors who came and joined David in Hebron to turn over Saul's kingdom to him, as the Lord had said.
24 The sons of Juda bearing shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred well appointed to war.
From the tribe of Judah, 6,800 warriors carrying shields and spears.
25 Of the sons of Simeon valiant men for war, seven thousand one hundred.
From the tribe of Simeon, 7,100 strong warriors.
26 Of the sons of Levi, four thousand six hundred.
From the tribe of Levi, 4,600,
27 And Joiada prince of the race of Aaron, and with him three thousand seven hundred.
including Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, and with him 3,700,
28 Sadoc also a young man of excellent disposition, and the house of his father, twenty-two principal men.
and Zadok, a strong young warrior, with 22 members of his family, all officers.
29 And of the sons of Benjamin the brethren of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto a great part of them followed the house of Saul.
From the tribe of Benjamin, from among Saul's relatives, 3,000, most of whom had remained loyal to Saul up until this time.
30 And of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, men of great valour renowned in their kindreds.
From the tribe of Ephraim, 20,800 strong warriors, each highly regarded in his own clan.
31 And of the half tribe of Manasses, eighteen thousand, every one by their names, came to make David king.
From the half-tribe of Manasseh, 18,000 men were designated by name to come and make David king.
32 Also of the sons of Issachar men of understanding, that knew all times to order what Israel should do, two hundred principal men: and all the rest of the tribe followed their counsel.
From the tribe of Issachar came leaders who knew and could understand the signs of the times and what Israel should do—a total of 200 leaders of the tribe together with their relatives.
33 And of Zabulon such as went forth to battle, and stood in array well appointed with armour for war, there came fifty thousand to his aid, with no double heart.
From the tribe of Zebulun, 50,000 warriors. They were fully armed and battle-ready, and totally dedicated.
34 And of Nephtali, a thousand leaders: and with them seven and thirty thousand, furnished with shield and spear.
From the tribe of Naphtali, 1,000 officers and 37,000 warriors carrying shields and spears.
35 Of Dan also twenty-eight thousand six hundred prepared for battle.
From the tribe of Dan, 28,600 warriors, all battle-ready.
36 And of Aser forty thousand going forth to fight, and challenging in battle.
From the tribe of Asher, 40,000 experienced warriors, all battle-ready.
37 And on the other side of the Jordan of the sons of Ruben, and of Gad, and of the half of the tribe of Manasses a hundred and twenty thousand, furnished with arms for war.
From the east side of the Jordan River, from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, 120,000 warriors carrying all kinds of weapons.
38 All these men of war well appointed to fight, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel, were of one heart to make David king.
All these men came to Hebron dressed for battle, completely committed to making David king. All of Israel agreed that David should become king.
39 And they were there with David three days eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
They stayed three days there, eating and drinking together, for their relatives had provided them with supplies.
40 Moreover they that were near them even as far as Issachar, and Zabulon, and Nephtali, brought leaves on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, to eat: meal, figs, raisins, wine, oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance, for there was joy in Israel.
Their neighbors, even as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, arrived bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. They had plenty of flour, fig cakes, bunches of raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, and sheep, for Israel was so happy.
