1 Chronicles 12

1 Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

Also, these went to David at Ziklag, while he was still fleeing from Saul, the son of Kish. And they were very strong and distinguished fighters,

2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

bending the bow, and using either hand in casting stones with slings, and shooting arrows. From the brothers of Saul, out of Benjamin:

3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite.

the leader was Ahiezer, with Joash, sons of Shemaah from Gibeah, and Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah and Jehu, from Anathoth.

4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,

Also, there was Ishmaiah, from Gibeon, the strongest among the thirty and over the thirty; Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad, from Gederah;

5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,

and Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah, the Haruphites;

6 Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,

Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, from Carehim;

7 And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

and also Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham, from Gedor.

8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

Then too, from Gad, there went over to David, when he was hiding in the desert, very robust men, who were excellent fighters, taking hold of shield and spear; their faces were like the faces of a lion, and they were swift like the roe deer upon the mountains.

9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

Ezer was the leader, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.

Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.

These were from the sons of Gad, leaders of the army. The least was in charge of one hundred soldiers, and the greatest was in charge of one thousand.

15 These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

These are the ones who crossed over the Jordan in the first month, when it is accustomed to overflow its banks. And they put to flight all those who were staying in the valleys, to the eastern region and to the west.

16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

Then some from Benjamin and from Judah also arrived at the stronghold where David was staying.

17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If all of you be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if all of you be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

And David went out to meet them, and he said: “If you have arrived peacefully, so as to be a help to me, may my heart be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, though I have no iniquity in my hands, may the God of our fathers see and judge.”

18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, your are we, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

Truly, the Spirit clothed Amasai, the leader among the thirty, and he said: “O David, we are yours! O son of Jesse, we are for you! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers. For your God helps you.” Therefore, David received them, and he appointed them as leaders of troops.

19 And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

Moreover, some from Manasseh crossed over to David, when he went forth with the Philistines against Saul, so that he might fight. But he did not fight with them. For the leaders of the Philistines, taking counsel, sent him back, saying, “To the peril of our own heads, he will return to his lord, Saul.”

20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.

And so, when he returned to Ziklag, some fled over to him from Manasseh: Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Adnah, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders of thousands in Manasseh.

21 And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.

These offered assistance to David against the robbers. For all were very strong men, and they became leaders in the army.

22 For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.

Then, too, some came to David throughout each day, in order to help him, until they became a great number, like the army of God.

23 And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.

Now this is the number of the leaders of the army who went to David when he was at Hebron, so that they might transfer the kingdom of Saul to him, in accord with the word of the Lord:

24 The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.

the sons of Judah, carrying shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred, equipped for battle;

25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

from the sons of Simeon, very strong men for the fight, seven thousand one hundred;

26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

from the sons of Levi, four thousand six hundred;

27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;

as well as Jehoiada, a leader from the stock of Aaron, and with him three thousand seven hundred;

28 And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.

and then Zadok, a youth of distinguished qualities, and the house of his father, twenty-two leaders;

29 And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for until now the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.

and from the sons of Benjamin, brothers of Saul, three thousand, for still a great part of them were following the house of Saul.

30 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers.

Then from the sons of Ephraim, there were twenty thousand eight hundred, very strong and robust men, renowned among their kindred.

31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

And out of the one half tribe of Manasseh, eighteen thousand, each by their names, went forth so that they might appoint David as king.

32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

Also, from the sons of Issachar, there were learned men, who knew each of the times, in order to anticipate what Israel ought to do, two hundred leaders. And all the remainder of the tribe were following their counsel.

33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

Then, from Zebulun, there were those who went forth to battle, and who were standing in a battle line, prepared with the weapons of warfare; these fifty thousand arrived to assist, without duplicity of heart.

34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.

And from Naphtali, there were one thousand leaders; and with them were thirty-seven thousand, prepared with shield and spear.

35 And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.

And then from Dan, there were twenty-eight thousand six hundred, ready for battle.

36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.

And from Asher, there were forty thousand, going forth to fight, and summoned to the battle line.

37 And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand.

Then, across the Jordan, there were, from the sons of Reuben, and from Gad, and from the one half tribe of Manasseh, one hundred twenty thousand, prepared with the weapons of warfare.

38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, 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 of war, equipped for the fight, went with a perfect heart to Hebron, so that they might appoint David as king over all of Israel. Then, too, all the remainder of Israel were of one heart, so that they might make David king.

39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.

And they were in that place with David for three days, eating and drinking. For their brothers had made preparations for them.

40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and food, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

Moreover, those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, were bringing, on donkeys and camels and mules and oxen, bread for their provisions, with grain, dried figs, dried grapes, wine, oil, and oxen and sheep, with all abundance. For indeed, there was joy in Israel.