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The Men Who Helped David Become King

12 These are the men who came to David at Ziklag when he was banished by Saul, son of Kish. They were among the soldiers who went into battle with David. They were armed with bows and could sling stones or shoot arrows with either their right or their left hands. They were Saul’s relatives, ⌞from the tribe of⌟ Benjamin. Ahiezer was the leader, then Joash (they were the sons of Shemaah from Gibeah), Azmaveth’s sons Jeziel and Pelet, Beracah and Jehu from Anathoth, Ishmaiah from Gibeon (one of the thirty fighting men and one of their leaders),[a] Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah, Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah from Haruph, Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam (Korah’s descendants), and Joelah and Zebadiah, Jeroham’s sons from Gedor.

Some men left Gad to join David at the fortified camp in the desert. They were warriors, trained soldiers, able to fight with shields and spears. They looked like lions and were as fast as gazelles on the hills. Ezer was the first of these soldiers. The second was Obadiah. The third was Eliab. 10 The fourth was Mishmannah. The fifth was Jeremiah. 11 The sixth was Attai. The seventh was Eliel. 12 The eighth was Johanan. The ninth was Elzabad. 13 The tenth was Jeremiah. The eleventh was Machbannai. 14 These descendants of Gad were army officers. The least able one was in command of 100 men, and the best one was in command of 1,000. 15 In the first month of the year, these men crossed the Jordan River when it was flooding its banks. They chased away all the people in the valleys to the east and west.

16 Some of the men of Benjamin and Judah came to David at the fortified camp. 17 David went to meet them. He told them, “If you’ve come to help me as friends would, then you may join me. But if you’ve come to betray me to my enemies, even though I haven’t committed a crime, may the God of our ancestors see this and judge you.”

18 Then the Spirit gave Amasai, the leader of the thirty, the strength ⌞to say⌟,

“We are yours, David.
We are with you, son of Jesse.
Success, success to you!
Success to those who help you,
because your God is helping you.”

So David welcomed them and made them officers over his troops.

19 Some men from Manasseh had deserted ⌞Saul’s army⌟ to join David when he went with the Philistines to attack Saul. (However, David didn’t help the Philistines because their rulers sent him away after considering the matter. They said, “It will cost us our heads when he deserts and joins his master Saul.”) 20 When David went to Ziklag, these men from Manasseh deserted to join him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each one was an officer over 1,000 men in Manasseh. 21 They helped David fight raiding parties because they were all warriors, commanders in the army. 22 From day to day, men came to help David until he had an army as large as God’s army.

23 These are the numbers of the men equipped for war. The men joined David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingship over to David, as the Lord had said.

24 From Judah’s descendants there were 6,800 men equipped for war. They carried shields and spears.

25 From Simeon’s descendants there were 7,100 warriors.

26 From Levi’s descendants there were 4,600 27 as well as Jehoiada (leader of Aaron’s families). With him there were 3,700 men, 28 and Zadok, a young warrior from whose family came 22 officers.

29 From Benjamin’s descendants, Saul’s relatives, there were 3,000 men, though most of them remained loyal to Saul’s family. 30 From Ephraim’s descendants there were 20,800 warriors who were famous among their families.

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

32 From Issachar’s descendants there were 200 leaders who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Their relatives were under their command.

33 From Zebulun there were 50,000 experienced soldiers. They were equipped for battle with every kind of weapon. Their loyalty was unquestioned.

34 From Naphtali there were 1,000 commanders. With them were 37,000 who fought with shields and spears.

35 From Dan there were 28,600 ready for battle.

36 From Asher there were 40,000 experienced soldiers ready for battle.

37 From the east side of the Jordan River, from Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 soldiers ready to fight with all kinds of weapons.

38 All of these soldiers, who were prepared for battle, came with a single purpose to Hebron—to make David king of all Israel. The rest of Israel also had agreed to make David king. 39 They ate and drank with David for three days because their relatives ⌞in Judah⌟ had provided enough for them. 40 Also, their neighbors as far as the territories of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. There was plenty of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine, olive oil, cattle, and sheep, because Israel was celebrating.

Footnotes

  1. 12:4 1 Chronicles 12:4b–40 in English Bibles is 1 Chronicles 12:5–41 in the Hebrew Bible.

投奔大卫的人

12 大卫在洗革拉躲避基士的儿子扫罗的时候,有些勇士来投奔他,帮助他作战。 他们是弓箭手,左右手都能甩石射箭,来自便雅悯支派,与扫罗同族。 他们的首领是亚希以谢,其次是约阿施,都是基比亚人示玛的儿子,还有亚斯玛威的儿子耶薛和毗力,以及比拉迦、亚拿突人耶户, 统领三十位勇士的杰出战士基遍人以实买雅,另有耶利米、雅哈悉、约哈难、基得拉人约撒拔、 伊利乌赛、耶利摩、比亚利雅、示玛利雅、哈律弗人示法提雅、 可拉人以利加拿、耶西亚、亚萨列、约以谢、雅朔班、 基多人耶罗罕的儿子犹拉和西巴第雅。

有些迦得支派的人到旷野的堡垒投奔大卫,他们作战英勇,善用盾和矛,貌似雄狮,快如山鹿。 他们为首的是以薛,其次是俄巴底雅,第三是以利押, 10 第四是弥施玛拿,第五是耶利米, 11 第六是亚太,第七是以利业, 12 第八是约哈难,第九是以利萨巴, 13 第十是耶利米,第十一是末巴奈。 14 他们都是迦得支派的将领,级别最低的统领一百人,最高的统领一千人。 15 一月,约旦河水涨过两岸的时候,他们渡到河对岸,把住在平原的人打得东奔西逃。

16 便雅悯支派和犹大支派中也有人到堡垒投奔大卫, 17 大卫出去迎接他们,说:“如果你们是好心来帮助我的,我就与你们结盟,但如果你们把我这无罪之人出卖给敌人,愿我们祖先的上帝鉴察、惩罚你们。” 18 当时,上帝的灵感动那三十位勇士的首领亚玛撒,他就说:

“大卫啊,我们是你的人!
耶西的儿子啊,我们拥护你!
愿你无比昌盛!
愿帮助你的人也都昌盛!
因为你的上帝帮助你。”

大卫便收留他们,派他们统领他的队伍。

19 从前,大卫和非利士人一同去攻打扫罗的时候,有些玛拿西人来投奔大卫。但大卫及其部下没有帮助非利士人作战,因为非利士人的首领商议后,害怕大卫拿着非利士人的头颅去归顺他的主人扫罗,便让他们走了。 20 大卫回洗革拉的时候,玛拿西支派的千夫长押拿、约撒拔、耶叠、米迦勒、约撒拔、以利户、洗勒太都来投奔他。 21 他们都是将领,作战英勇,帮助大卫抗击匪徒。 22 那时天天有人来投奔大卫,以致形成一支大军,好像上帝的军队。

23 有些全副武装的士兵也到希伯仑投奔大卫,要把扫罗的国权交给大卫,正如耶和华的应许。以下是这些人的数目: 24 从犹大支派来了手持盾牌和长矛的六千八百名战士; 25 从西缅支派来了七千一百名英勇的战士; 26 从利未支派来了四千六百人; 27 亚伦家族中的首领耶何耶大和他的三千七百个随从; 28 年轻、英勇的撒督和他家族的二十二个将领; 29 扫罗的亲族、便雅悯支派中有三千人,大部分便雅悯人仍然效忠扫罗家; 30 来自以法莲支派、在本族中有名望的两万零八百个英勇的战士; 31 来自玛拿西半个支派、被点名选出来拥立大卫做王的一万八千人; 32 来自以萨迦支派、洞悉时事且深明以色列当行之道、统领族人的二百位族长; 33 来自西布伦支派、能征善战、拥有各种兵器、训练有素、忠心耿耿的五万人; 34 来自拿弗他利支派的一千名将领和三万七千名手持盾牌和长矛的随从; 35 来自但支派的两万八千六百名训练有素的人; 36 来自亚设支派的四万名训练有素的战士; 37 来自约旦河东边的吕便支派、迦得支派和玛拿西半个支派的十二万拥有各种兵器的人。

38 以上这些人都是能征善战的勇士,他们诚心诚意地到希伯仑拥立大卫做以色列王,其余的以色列人也都万众一心地要立大卫做王。 39 他们在那里与大卫一起吃喝了三天,因为他们的亲族为他们预备了食物。 40 他们周围的人,远至以萨迦、西布伦和拿弗他利支派的人,都用驴、骆驼、骡子和牛驮来面饼、无花果饼、葡萄干、酒和油,又牵来许多牛和羊,以色列境内充满了欢乐。

12 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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;

Ezer 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, Machbanai 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.

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

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

17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared 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 meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

The Growth of David’s Army(A)

12 Now (B)these were the men who came to David at (C)Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war, armed with bows, using both the right hand and (D)the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows with the bow. They were of Benjamin, Saul’s brethren.

The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of [a]Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, and Jehu the Anathothite; Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite; Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite; Elkanah, Jisshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites; and Joelah and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

Some Gadites [b]joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were (E)as swift as gazelles on the mountains: Ezer 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, and Machbanai the eleventh. 14 These were from the sons of Gad, captains of the army; the least was over a hundred, and the greatest was over a (F)thousand. 15 These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its (G)banks; and they put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west.

16 Then some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold. 17 And David went out [c]to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no [d]wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.” 18 Then the Spirit [e]came upon (H)Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said:

We are yours, O David;
We are on your side, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
And peace to your helpers!
For your God helps you.”

So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.

19 And some from Manasseh defected to David (I)when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, (J)“He may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads.” 20 When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who were from Manasseh. 21 And they helped David against (K)the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. 22 For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, (L)like the army of God.

David’s Army at Hebron

23 Now these were the numbers of the [f]divisions that were equipped for war, and (M)came to David at (N)Hebron to (O)turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, (P)according to the word of the Lord: 24 of the sons of Judah bearing shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred [g]armed for war; 25 of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor fit for war, seven thousand one hundred; 26 of the sons of Levi four thousand six hundred; 27 Jehoiada, the leader of the Aaronites, and with him three thousand seven hundred; 28 (Q)Zadok, a young man, a valiant warrior, and from his father’s house twenty-two captains; 29 of the sons of Benjamin, relatives of Saul, three thousand (until then (R)the greatest part of them had remained loyal to the house of Saul); 30 of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, [h]famous men throughout their father’s house; 31 of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were designated by name to come and make David king; 32 of the sons of Issachar (S)who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 33 of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, (T)stouthearted men who could keep ranks; 34 of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them thirty-seven thousand with shield and spear; 35 of the Danites who could keep battle formation, twenty-eight thousand six hundred; 36 of Asher, those who could go out to war, able to keep battle formation, forty thousand; 37 of the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, from the other side of the Jordan, one hundred and twenty thousand armed for battle with every kind of weapon of war.

38 All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of (U)one mind to make David king. 39 And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them. 40 Moreover those who were near to them, from as far away as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, were bringing food on donkeys and camels, on mules and oxen—provisions of flour and cakes of figs and cakes of raisins, wine and oil and oxen and sheep abundantly, for there was joy in Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 12:3 Or Hasmaah
  2. 1 Chronicles 12:8 Lit. separated themselves to
  3. 1 Chronicles 12:17 Lit. before them
  4. 1 Chronicles 12:17 Lit. violence
  5. 1 Chronicles 12:18 Lit. clothed
  6. 1 Chronicles 12:23 Lit. heads of those
  7. 1 Chronicles 12:24 equipped
  8. 1 Chronicles 12:30 Lit. men of names