Open English Translation 1 CHR Chapter 12

12 These were the men who joined David in Tsiklag, when he was banished from Kish’s son Sha’ul’s (Saul) presence. (They were among the warriors who assisted David in battle 2 armed with bows. Some used slings right-handed and some left-handed, as well as shooting arrows with a bow. They were from the Benyamin tribe, Sha’ul’s relatives.) 3 Their leader was Ahiezer, then next was Yoash, both Shema’ah’s sons from Giveah city. Others were: Yeziel and Pelet (Azmavet’s sons), Berakah, Yehu (Jehu) (from Anatot city), 4 Yishmaeyah (from Giveon city, who was the leader of the thirty greatest warriors), Yirmiyah (Jeremiah), Yahaziel, Yohanan, Yozavad (from Gederah city), 5 Eleuzay, Yerimot, Be’alyah, Shemaryah, Shefatyah (from Haruf city), 6 Elkanah, Yishiyah, Azarel, Yoezer, and Yashaveam (all Korah’s descendants), 7 and Yoelah and Zevadyah (Yeroham’s sons, from Gedor city).

8 Some Gadim joined David at the wilderness stronghold. They were very strong army warriors, ready for battle with shields and spears. Their faces were fierce like lions, but they could run across the hills like gazelles. 9 Their leader was Ezer, then Ovadyah (Obadiah), then Eliav. 10 Next was Mishmanah, then Yirmiyah, 11 Atay, Eliel, 12 Yohanan, Elzavad, 13 another Yirmiyah, then the eleventh was Makbanay.

14 Those men from the Gad tribe were army leaders—each leading somewhere between a hundred and a thousand men. 15 They crossed to the west side of the Yarden (Jordan) River during the spring, at the time of the year when the river floods. They drove out all the people who lived in the valleys on both sides of the river.

16 Some other men from the tribes of Benyamin and Yehudah (Judah) also went to David in his stronghold. 17 David went out of the cave to meet them, and he told them: “If you’ve come to me in peace, to help me, then I’ll be happy to cooperate with you men. But if you men plan to betray me to my enemies even though I’ve done you no harm, may the god of our ancestors see your motives and judge.”

18 Then the spirit empowered Amasay, the head of the thirty, and he said: “To you, David, and with you, son of Yishay (Jesse): peace. Peace to you and peace to the one who helps you, because your god has helped you.” And David received them and appointed them as the heads of the troop.

19 Some men from Menasheh (Manasseh) joined David when he accompanied the Pelishtim to battle against King Sha’ul (Saul). (But David and his men didn’t help the Pelishtim, because the Pelishtim’ governors were advised to send them away, as there was a worry that David would feel loyal to his former master, and hence turn on them.) 20 As David was going to Tsiklag, the following men from Menasheh joined him: Adnah, Yozavad, Yedieael, Mika’el (Michael), another Yozavad, Elihu, and Tsiletay—the captains of units of thousands from Menasheh. 21 They helped David stand against bands of raiders, because they were all powerful warriors and military leaders. 22 Every day more men joined David to help him, until his army became very large, like the Israeli people group itself.

23 The following are the numbers of the leaders of those equipped for war. They came to David at Hevron to help him obtain Sha’ul’s kingdom as Yahweh had promised.

• 24 From Yehudah (Judah): 6,800 warriors ready for battle with shields and spears.
• 25 From Shim’on (Simeon): 7,100 powerful warriors ready for battle.
• 26 From Levi: 4,600.
• 27 Yehoyada (a leader descended from Aharon (Aaron)) brought 3,700 with him.
• 28 Tsadok, a strong young man, brought twenty-two leaders from his clan.
• 29 From Benyamin (Sha’ul’s (Saul) tribe): 3,000 (most of whom had previously served King Sha’ul).
• 30 From Efrayim (Ephraim): 20,800 powerful warriors who were admired within their own clans.
• 31 From the half-tribe of Menasheh (Manasseh): 18,000 who were known by name came to make David king.
• 32 From Yisakar (Issachar): 200 leaders (with a good understanding of the times and the right thing to do) along with their relatives that they commanded.
• 33 From Zevulun: 50,000 experienced warriors with each kind of weapon, and stoic in attitude, yet loyal.
• 34 From Naftali (Naphtali): 1,000 officers, along with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears.
• 35 From Dan: 28,600 men prepared for battle.
• 36 From Asher: 40,000 warriors prepared for battle.
• 37 From Re’uven, Gad, and the Menasheh (Manasseh) half-tribe across the Yarden (Jordan) river: 120,000 men armed with all kinds of weapons.

38 All those enthusiastic and capable warriors came to Hevron to make David king over all of Yisrael (Israel). The rest of Yisrael was also united in wanting to make David king. 39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, because their families had sent provisions with them. 40 Also, people who lived near that area (even as far as the tribal areas belonging to Yisakar (Issachar), Zevulun, and Naftali (Naphtali)) were bringing bread on donkeys and camels, and on mules and on oxen: plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, and oil, as well as oxen and sheep, because Yisrael was celebrating.