1 Chronicles 12:17-27

17 David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.”
18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.
19 Some of the tribe of Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (He and his men did not help the Philistines because, after consultation, their rulers sent him away. They said, “It will cost us our heads if he deserts to his master Saul.”)
20 When David went to Ziklag, these were the men of Manasseh who defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, leaders of units of a thousand in Manasseh.
21 They helped David against raiding bands, for all of them were brave warriors, and they were commanders in his army.
22 Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.[a]

Others Join David at Hebron

23 These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, as the LORD had said:
24 from Judah, carrying shield and spear—6,800 armed for battle;
25 from Simeon, warriors ready for battle—7,100;
26 from Levi—4,600,
27 including Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, with 3,700 men,

Cross References 8

  • 1. S Judges 3:10; Judges 6:34; 1 Chronicles 28:12; 2 Chronicles 15:1; 2 Chronicles 20:14; 2 Chronicles 24:20
  • 2. S 2 Samuel 17:25
  • 3. 1 Samuel 25:5-6
  • 4. 1 Samuel 29:2-11
  • 5. S 1 Samuel 27:6
  • 6. 2 Samuel 2:3-4
  • 7. 1 Chronicles 10:14
  • 8. S 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Chronicles 11:10

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "a great and mighty army"
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