Who followed David when he fled from Saul. And who came to Hebron to
make him king.
12:1. Now these are they that came to David to Siceleg, while he yet
fled from Saul the son of Cis, and they were most valiant and excellent
warriors,
12:2. Bending the bow, and using either hand in hurling stones with
slings, and shooting arrows: of the brethren of Saul of Benjamin.
12:3. The chief was Ahiezer, and Joas, the sons of Samoa of Gabaath, and
Jaziel, and Phallet the sons of Azmoth, and Beracha, and Jehu an
Anathothite.
12:4. And Samaias of Gabaon, the stoutest amongst the thirty and over
the thirty; Jeremias, and Jeheziel and Johanan, and Jozabad of Gaderoth;
12:5. And Eluzai, and Jerimuth, and Baalia, and Samaria, and Saphatia
the Haruphite;
12:6. Elcana, and Jesia, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jesbaam of
Carehim:
12:7. And Joela, and Zabadia the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
12:8. From Gaddi also there went over to David, when he lay hid in the
wilderness most valiant men, and excellent warriors, holding shield and
spear: whose faces were like the faces of a lion, and they were swift
like the roebucks on the mountains.
12:9. Ezer the chief, Obdias the second, Eliab the third,
12:10. Masmana the fourth, Jeremias the fifth,
12:11. Ethi the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
12:12. Johanan the eighth, Elzebad the ninth,
12:13. Jerenias the tenth, Machbani the eleventh,
12:14. These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the army: the least of
them was captain over a hundred soldiers, and the greatest over a
thousand.
12:15. These are they who passed over the Jordan in the first month,
when it is used to flow over its banks: and they put to flight all that
dwelt in the valleys both toward the east and toward the west.
12:16. And there came also of the men of Benjamin, and of Juda to the
hold, in which David abode.
12:17. And David went out to meet them, and said: If you are come
peaceably to me to help me, let my heart be joined to you: but if you
plot against me for my enemies whereas I have no iniquity in my hands,
let the God of our fathers see, and judge.
12:18. But the spirit came upon Amasai the chief among thirty, and he
said: We are thine, O David, and for thee, O son of Isai: peace, peace
be to thee, and peace to thy helpers. For thy God helpeth thee. So David
received them, and made them captains of the band.
12:19. And there were some of Manasses that went over to David, when he
came with the Philistines against Saul to fight: but he did not fight
with them: because the lords of the Philistines taking counsel sent him
back, saying: With the danger of our heads he will return to his master
Saul.
12:20. So when he went back to Siceleg, there fled to him of Manasses,
Ednas and Jozabad, and Jedihel, and Michael, and Ednas, and Jozabad, and
Eliu, and Salathi, captains of thousands in Manasses.
12:21. These helped David against the rovers: for they were all most
valiant men, and were made commanders in the army.
12:22. Moreover day by day there came some to David to help him till
they became a great number, like the army of God.
12:23. And this is the number of the chiefs of the army who came to
David, when he was in Hebron, to transfer to him the kingdom of Saul,
according to the word of the Lord.
12:24. The sons of Juda bearing shield and spear, six thousand eight
hundred well appointed to war.
12:25. Of the sons of Simeon valiant men for war, seven thousand one
hundred.
12:26. Of the sons of Levi, four thousand six hundred.
12:27. And Joiada prince of the race of Aaron, and with him three
thousand seven hundred.
12:28. Sadoc also a young man of excellent disposition, and the house of
his father, twenty-two principal men.
12:29. And of the sons of Benjamin the brethren of Saul, three thousand:
for hitherto a great part of them followed the house of Saul.
12:30. And of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, men of
great valour renowned in their kindreds.
12:31. And of the half tribe of Manasses, eighteen thousand, every one
by their names, came to make David king.
12:32. Also of the sons of Issachar men of understanding, that knew all
times to order what Israel should do, two hundred principal men: and all
the rest of the tribe followed their counsel.
12:33. And of Zabulon such as went forth to battle, and stood in array
well appointed with armour for war, there came fifty thousand to his
aid, with no double heart.
12:34. And of Nephtali, a thousand leaders: and with them seven and
thirty thousand, furnished with shield and spear.
12:35. Of Dan also twenty-eight thousand six hundred prepared for
battle.
12:36. And of Aser forty thousand going forth to fight, and challenging
in battle.
12:37. And on the other side of the Jordan of the sons of Ruben, and of
Gad, and of the half of the tribe of Manasses a hundred and twenty
thousand, furnished with arms for war.
12:38. All these men of war well appointed to fight, 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.
12:39. And they were there with David three days eating and drinking:
for their brethren had prepared for them.
12:40. Moreover they that were near them even as far as Issachar, and
Zabulon, and Nephtali, brought loaves on asses, and on camels, and on
mules, and on oxen, to eat: meal, figs, raisins, wine, oil, and oxen,
and sheep in abundance, for there was joy in Israel.