12 These were the men who joined David in Tsiklag, when he was banished from Kish’s son, Shaul’s 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 tribe of Benyamin, Shaul’s relatives.) 3 Their leader was Ahiezer, then next was Yoash, both Shemaah’s sons from Gibeah city. Others were: Yeziel and Pelet (Azmavet’s sons), Berakah, Yehu (from Anatot city), 4 Yishmayah (from Gibeon city, who was the leader of the thirty greatest warriors), Yeremyah, Yahaziel, Yohanan, Yozabad (from Gederah city), 5 Eluzai, Yerimot, Bealyah, Shemaryah, Shefatyah (from Haruf city), 6 Elkanah, Yishshiyah, Azarel, Yoezer, and Yashoveam (all Korah’s descendants), 7 and Yoelah and Zevadyah (Yeroham’s sons, from Gedor city).

8 Some Gadites 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, then Eliav. 10 Next was Mishmannah, then Yermeyah, 11 Attai, Eliel, 12 Yohanan, Elzavad, 13 another Yermeyah, then the eleventh was Makbannai.

14 Those men from the tribe of Gad were army leaders—each leading somewhere between one hundred and one thousand men. 15 They crossed to the west side of the Yordan 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 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 agree with you all. But if you all plan to betray me to my enemies even though I’ve done you all no harm, may the god of our ancestors see your motives and judge.”

18 Then the spirit empowered Amasai, 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 placed them as the heads of the troop.

19 Some men from Menashsheh joined David when he accompanied the Philistines to battle against King Shaul. (But David and his men didn’t help the Philistines because the Philistines’ 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 Menashsheh joined him: Adnah, Yozavad, Yediael, Mikael, another Yozavad, Elihu, and Tsilletai—the captains of units of thousands from Menashsheh. 21 They helped David stand against bands of raiders, because all of them were powerful warriors and military leaders. 22 Every day more men joined to help David, until his army became very large like the Israeli people themselves.

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

• 24 From Yehudah (Judah): 6,800 warriors ready for battle with shields and spears.
• 25 From Shimeon (Simeon): 7,100 powerful warriors ready for battle.
• 26 From Levi: 4,600.
• 27 Yehoyada (a leader descended from Aharon) brought 3,700 with him.
• 28 Tsadok, a strong young man brought twenty-two leaders from his clan.
• 29 From Benyamin (Shaul’s tribe): 3,000 (most of whom had previously served King Shaul).
• 30 From Efrayim: 20,800 powerful warriors who were admired within their own clans
• 31 From the half-tribe of Menashsheh: 18,000 who were known by name came to make David king.
• 32 From Yissaskar: 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: 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 Reuven, Gad, and the Menashsheh half-tribe across the Yordan 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 Yisrael. 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, those who lived near that area (even as far as Yissaskar and Zevulun and Naftali) 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.