1 Chronicles 12:19

19 Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”)

1 Chronicles 12:19 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 12:19

And there fell some of Manasseh to David
Of the tribe of Manasseh; they took his part, and on his side, and joined him:

when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle;
which was a strong proof of their cordial attachment to him:

but they helped them not:
the Philistines; neither David nor his men, nor the Manassites that joined them:

for the lords of the Philistines, upon advisement;
counsel taken among themselves: sent him away; that is, David and his men:

saying, he will fall to his master Saul, to the jeopardy of our heads;
meaning, that he would go off with his troops to Saul, and betray them into his hands, and with their heads make his peace with him, see ( 1 Samuel 29:4 ) .

1 Chronicles 12:19 In-Context

17 And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.”

18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, 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 leaders of his troops.

19 Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”)

20 When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh.

21 They helped David against the raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and commanders in the army.