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1 Chronicles 12
Legacy Standard Bible

David’s Mighty Men

12 (A)Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still restricted because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. 2 They were equipped with bows, (B)using both the right hand and the left to sling stones and to shoot arrows from the bow; (C)they were Saul’s relatives from Benjamin.

3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah and Jehu the Anathothite,
4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty. [a]Then Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite,
5 [b]Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite,
6 Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the Korahites,
7 and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
8 From the Gadites, mighty men of valor separated themselves to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, men of war who had gone out for military duty, who could [c]handle large shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and (D)they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.
9 Ezer was the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,
10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,
11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,
13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These of the sons of Gad were chiefs of the army; (E)he who was least was equal to one hundred and the greatest to one thousand. 15 (F)These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks and they made all those in the valleys flee, both to the east and to the west.

16 Then some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. 17 David went out before them, and he answered and said to them, “If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no violence in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and reprove.” 18 And (G)the Spirit clothed (H)Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he said,

“We are yours, O David,
And with you, O son of Jesse!
(I)Peace, peace to you,
And peace to him who helps you;
Indeed, your God helps you!”

Then David received them and made them chiefs of the band.

19 (J)Now from Manasseh also some defected to David when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines after counsel sent him away, saying, “At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.” 20 As he went to Ziklag there defected to him from Manasseh: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands who belonged to Manasseh. 21 They helped David against (K)the marauding band, for they were all mighty men of valor, and were commanders in the army. 22 For day by day men came to David to help him, until there was a great camp (L)like the camp of God.

David’s Military Companies in Hebron

23 Now these are the numbers of the [d]companies equipped for military duty, (M)who came to David at Hebron, (N)to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, (O)according to the [e]command of Yahweh.

24 The sons of Judah who bore shield and spear were 6,800, equipped for military duty.
25 Of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor for military duty, 7,100.
26 Of the sons of Levi 4,600.
27 Now Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron, and with him were 3,700,
28 also (P)Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house 22 commanders.
29 Of the sons of Benjamin, (Q)Saul’s relatives, 3,000; for until now (R)the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.
30 Of the sons of Ephraim 20,800, mighty men of valor, men [f]who had a name in their fathers’ households.
31 Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were designated by name to come and make David king.
32 Of the sons of Issachar, (S)men who knew how to discern the times, to know what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their relatives were at their command.
33 Of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could arrange themselves for battle with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David [g]with (T)an undivided heart.
34 Of Naphtali there were 1,000 commanders, and with them 37,000 with large shield and spear.
35 Of the Danites who could arrange themselves for battle, there were 28,600.
36 Of Asher there were 40,000 who went out in the army to arrange themselves for battle.
37 From the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites and the Gadites and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 with all kinds of weapons for the army for battle.

38 All these, being men of war who could draw up in battle [h]lines, came to Hebron with (U)their whole heart to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. 39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had prepared for them. 40 Moreover those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, (V)brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and on oxen, great provisions of flour, fig cakes and bunches of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep. There was gladness indeed in Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 12:4 In Heb the beginning of v 5, making 41 vv in ch
  2. 1 Chronicles 12:5 v 6 in Heb
  3. 1 Chronicles 12:8 Lit arrange
  4. 1 Chronicles 12:23 Lit heads
  5. 1 Chronicles 12:23 Lit mouth
  6. 1 Chronicles 12:30 Or of renown
  7. 1 Chronicles 12:33 Lit not of double heart
  8. 1 Chronicles 12:38 Lit line, array; cf. 12:35, 36
Close NET

1 Chronicles 12
New English Translation

Warriors Who Joined David at Ziklag

12 These were the men who joined David in Ziklag, when he was banished[a] from the presence of Saul son of Kish. (They were among the warriors who assisted him in battle. 2 They were armed with bows and could shoot arrows or sling stones right or left-handed. They were fellow tribesmen of Saul from Benjamin.[b]) These were:[c]

3 Ahiezer, the leader, and Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, Jehu the Anathothite,

4 Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, one of the thirty warriors and their leader, (12:5)[d] Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite,

5 (12:6) Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite,

6 Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites,

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

8 Some of the Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were warriors who were trained for battle; they carried shields and spears. They were as fierce as lions and could run as quickly as gazelles across the hills.[e] 9 Ezer was the leader, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, 10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13 Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbannai the eleventh. 14 These Gadites were military leaders; the least led a hundred men, the greatest a thousand.[f] 15 They crossed the Jordan River[g] in the first month,[h] when it was overflowing its banks, and routed those living in all the valleys to the east and west.[i]

16 Some from Benjamin and Judah also came to David’s stronghold. 17 David went out to meet them and said,[j] “If you come to me in peace and want to help me, then I will make an alliance with you.[k] But if you come to betray me to my enemies when I have not harmed you,[l] may the God of our ancestors[m] take notice and judge!” 18 But a spirit[n] empowered[o] Amasai, the leader of the group of warriors known as the Thirty, and he said:[p]

“We are yours, O David!

We support[q] you, O son of Jesse!

May you greatly prosper.[r]

May those who help you prosper.[s]

Indeed[t] your God helps you!”

So David accepted them and made them leaders of raiding bands.

19 Some men from Manasseh joined[u] David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (But in the end they did not help the Philistines because, after taking counsel, the Philistine lords sent David away, saying, “It would be disastrous for us if he deserts to his master Saul.”)[v] 20 When David[w] went to Ziklag, the men of Manasseh who joined him were Adnach, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders of 1,000 soldiers each in the tribe of Manasseh. 21 They helped David fight against raiding bands, for all of them were warriors and leaders in the army. 22 Each day men came to help David until his army became very large.[x]

Support for David in Hebron

23 The following is a record of the armed warriors who came with their leaders and joined David in Hebron in order to make David king in Saul’s place, in accordance with the Lord’s decree:[y]

24 From Judah came 6,800 trained warriors carrying shields and spears.[z]

25 From Simeon there were 7,100 warriors.

26 From Levi there were 4,600. 27 Jehoiada, the leader of Aaron’s descendants, brought 3,700 men with him, 28 along with Zadok, a young warrior, and 22 leaders from his family.

29 From Benjamin, Saul’s tribe,[aa] there were 3,000, most of whom, up to that time, had been loyal to Saul.[ab]

30 From Ephraim there were 20,800 warriors, who had brought fame to their families.[ac]

31 From the half-tribe of Manasseh there were 18,000 who had been designated by name to come and make David king.

32 From Issachar there were 200 leaders and all their relatives at their command—they understood the times and knew what Israel should do.[ad]

33 From Zebulun there were 50,000 warriors who were prepared for battle, equipped with all kinds of weapons, and ready to give their undivided loyalty.[ae]

34 From Naphtali there were 1,000 officers, along with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears.

35 From Dan there were 28,600 men prepared for battle.

36 From Asher there were 40,000 warriors prepared for battle.

37 From the other side of the Jordan, from Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 men armed with all kinds of weapons.

38 All these men were warriors who were ready to march.[af] They came to Hebron to make David king over all Israel by acclamation;[ag] all the rest of the Israelites also were in agreement that David should become king.[ah] 39 They spent three days feasting[ai] there with David, for their relatives had given them provisions. 40 Also their neighbors, from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, were bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. There were large supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, olive oil, beef, and lamb,[aj] for Israel was celebrating.[ak]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 12:1 tn Heb “kept from.”
  2. 1 Chronicles 12:2 tn Heb “ones armed with bow[s], using the right hand and the left hand with stones and with arrows with the bow, from the brothers of Saul from Benjamin.”
  3. 1 Chronicles 12:2 tn The words “These were” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons, because of the length of the intervening material since the beginning of the verse.
  4. 1 Chronicles 12:4 sn In the Hebrew text (BHS) a verse division occurs at this point, and for the remainder of the chapter the verse numbers of the Hebrew Bible differ by one from the English Bible. Thus 1 Chr 12:4b ET = 12:5 HT, and 12:5-40 ET = 12:6-41 HT. Beginning with 13:1 the verse numbers in the ET and HT are again the same.
  5. 1 Chronicles 12:8 tn Heb “warriors, men of battle for war, prepared with shield and spear, and [like] the face of a lion were their faces, and like gazelles on the hills to hurry.”
  6. 1 Chronicles 12:14 tn Heb “one for a hundred the small, and the great for a thousand.” Another option is to translate the preposition ל (lamed) as “against” and to understand this as a hyperbolic reference to their prowess: “the least could stand against a hundred, the greatest against a thousand.”
  7. 1 Chronicles 12:15 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied for clarity.
  8. 1 Chronicles 12:15 sn That is, March-April.
  9. 1 Chronicles 12:15 tn Heb “and they chased all the valleys to the east and to the west.”
  10. 1 Chronicles 12:17 tn Heb “and David went out before them and answered and said to them.”
  11. 1 Chronicles 12:17 tn Heb “there will be to me concerning you a heart for unity.”
  12. 1 Chronicles 12:17 tn Heb “with no violence in my hands.”
  13. 1 Chronicles 12:17 tn Heb “fathers.”
  14. 1 Chronicles 12:18 tn Perhaps “the Spirit,” but the text has simply רוּחַ (ruakh) with no article (suggesting an indefinite reference).
  15. 1 Chronicles 12:18 tn Heb “clothed.”
  16. 1 Chronicles 12:18 tn The words “and he said” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
  17. 1 Chronicles 12:18 tn Heb “are with.”
  18. 1 Chronicles 12:18 tn Heb “Peace, peace to you.” The Hebrew term שָׁלוֹם (shalom, “peace”) is repeated to emphasize degree.
  19. 1 Chronicles 12:18 tn Heb “and peace to the one who helps you.”
  20. 1 Chronicles 12:18 tn Or “for.”
  21. 1 Chronicles 12:19 tn Heb “fell upon,” here in a good sense.
  22. 1 Chronicles 12:19 tn Heb “and they did not help them for by counsel they sent him away, the lords of the Philistines, saying, ‘With our heads he will fall to his master Saul.’”
  23. 1 Chronicles 12:20 tn Heb “he”; the referent (David) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  24. 1 Chronicles 12:22 tn Heb “for at the time of day in a day they were coming to David to help him until [there was] a great camp like the camp of God.” The term אֱלֹהִים (ʾelohim, “God”) is probably used idiomatically here to indicate the superlative.
  25. 1 Chronicles 12:23 tn Heb “these are the numbers of the heads of the forces armed for battle [who] came to David in Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him according to the mouth of the Lord.”
  26. 1 Chronicles 12:24 tn Heb “the sons of Judah, carrying shield and spear, [were] 6,800 armed for battle.”
  27. 1 Chronicles 12:29 tn Heb “from the sons of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul.”
  28. 1 Chronicles 12:29 tn Heb “and until then, the majority of them were keeping the charge of the house of Saul.”
  29. 1 Chronicles 12:30 tn Heb “men of names for the house of their fathers.”
  30. 1 Chronicles 12:32 tn Heb “from the sons of Issachar, knowers of understanding for times to know what Israel should do, their heads [were] 200, and all their brothers according to their mouth.”
  31. 1 Chronicles 12:33 tn Heb “from Zebulun, those going out for battle, prepared for war with all weapons of war, 50,000, and to help without a heart and a heart.”
  32. 1 Chronicles 12:38 tc Heb “all these [were] men of war, helpers of the battle line.” The present translation assumes an emendation of עֹדְרֵי (ʿodere, “helpers of”) to עֹרְכֵי, (ʿorekhe, “prepared for”).
  33. 1 Chronicles 12:38 tn Heb “with a complete heart they came to Hebron to make David king over all Israel.”
  34. 1 Chronicles 12:38 tn Heb “and also all the rest of Israel [was of] one mind to make David king.”
  35. 1 Chronicles 12:39 tn Heb “eating and drinking.”
  36. 1 Chronicles 12:40 tn Heb “cattle and sheep.”
  37. 1 Chronicles 12:40 tn Heb “for there was joy in Israel.”
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