1 Chronicles 12:19

19 And of Manasseh there have fallen unto David in his coming with the Philistines against Israel to battle -- and they helped them not, for by counsel the princes of the Philistines sent him away, saying, `With our heads he doth fall unto 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 goeth out before them, and answereth and saith to them, `If for peace ye have come in unto me, to help me, I have a heart to unite with you; and if to betray me to mine adversaries -- without violence in my hands -- the God of our fathers doth see and reprove.'
18 And the Spirit hath clothed Amasai, head of the captains: `To thee, O David, and with thee, O son of Jesse -- peace! peace to thee, and peace to thy helper, for thy God hath helped thee;' and David receiveth them, and putteth them among the heads of the troop.
19 And of Manasseh there have fallen unto David in his coming with the Philistines against Israel to battle -- and they helped them not, for by counsel the princes of the Philistines sent him away, saying, `With our heads he doth fall unto his master Saul.' --
20 In his going unto Ziglag there have fallen unto him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillthai, heads of the thousands that [are] of Manasseh;
21 and they have helped with David over the troop, for mighty of valour [are] all of them, and they are captains in the host,
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.