Fighting Men Join David
1 Some fighting men came to David at Ziklag. They were among those who helped him in battle. David had been forced to hide from Saul, the son of Kish.
2
The men were armed with bows. They were able to shoot arrows or throw stones from a sling with either hand. They were relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin. Here is a list of them.
3
Their chief Ahiezer and Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth Beracah Jehu from Anathoth
4
Ishmaiah, the Gibeonite, who was a mighty man among the Thirty and a leader of the Thirty Jeremiah Jahaziel Johanan Jozabad from Gederah
5
Eluzai Jerimoth Bealiah Shemariah Shephatiah, the Haruphite
6
the Korahites Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer and Jashobeam
7
Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor
8
Some men of Gad went over to David's side at his usual place of safety in the desert. They were brave fighting men. They were ready for battle. They were able to use shields and spears. Their faces were like the faces of lions. They could run as fast as antelopes in the mountains.
9
Ezer was their chief. Obadiah was next in command. Eliab was third.
10
Mishmannah was fourth. Jeremiah was fifth.
11
Attai was sixth. Eliel was seventh.
12
Johanan was eighth. Elzabad was ninth.
13
Jeremiah was tenth. And Macbannai was eleventh.
14
All of those men of Gad were army commanders. The least important of them was equal to 100 men. The most important was equal to 1,000.
15
They went across the Jordan River when it was flowing over its banks. That happened in the first month of spring. They chased away everyone who lived in the valleys. They chased them away from the east and west sides of the river.
16
Some men from the territories of Benjamin and Judah also came to David at his usual place of safety.
17
David went out to meet them. He said to them, "Have you come to me in peace? Have you come to help me? If you have, I'm ready to have you join me. But suppose you have come to hand me over to my enemies when I haven't even harmed anyone. Then may the God of our people see it and judge you."
18
The Spirit of God came on Amasai. He was chief of the Thirty. He said, "David, we belong to you! Son of Jesse, we're on your side! May you have great success. May those who help you also have success. Your God will help you." So David welcomed them. He made them leaders in his army.
19
Some men of Manasseh went over to David's side when he marched out with the Philistines to fight against Saul. But David and his men didn't help the Philistines. That's because after all of the Philistine rulers had discussed the matter, they sent him away. They said, "Suppose he deserts to his master Saul. Then our heads will be cut off!"
20
So David went to Ziklag. Here are the men of Manasseh who went over to his side. They were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai. They were leaders of companies of 1,000 men in Manasseh.
21
They helped David fight against enemy armies. All of the men of Manasseh were brave fighting men. They were commanders in David's army.
22
Day after day men came to help him. Soon he had a large army. It was like the army of God.