Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 1 Chronicles » Chapter 12 » Verse 1-40

1 Chronicles 12:1-40 King James Version (KJV)

1 Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite.

4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,

5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,

6 Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,

7 And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.

14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.

15 These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.

17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

19 And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.

21 And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the host.

22 For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.

23 And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.

24 The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.

25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;

28 And Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.

29 And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.

30 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous throughout the house of their fathers.

31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.

35 And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.

36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.

37 And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand.

38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, 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.

39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.

40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.


1 Chronicles 12:1-40 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Now these are they that came H935 to David H1732 to Ziklag, H6860 while he yet kept himself close H6113 because H6440 of Saul H7586 the son H1121 of Kish: H7027 and they were among the mighty men, H1368 helpers H5826 of the war. H4421

2 They were armed H5401 with bows, H7198 and could use both the right hand H3231 and the left H8041 in hurling stones H68 and shooting arrows H2671 out of a bow, H7198 even of Saul's H7586 brethren H251 of Benjamin. H1144

3 The chief H7218 was Ahiezer, H295 then Joash, H3101 the sons H1121 of Shemaah H8094 the Gibeathite; H1395 and Jeziel, H3149 and Pelet, H6404 the sons H1121 of Azmaveth; H5820 and Berachah, H1294 and Jehu H3058 the Antothite, H6069

4 And Ismaiah H3460 the Gibeonite, H1393 a mighty man H1368 among the thirty, H7970 and over the thirty; H7970 and Jeremiah, H3414 and Jahaziel, H3166 and Johanan, H3110 and Josabad H3107 the Gederathite, H1452

5 Eluzai, H498 and Jerimoth, H3406 and Bealiah, H1183 and Shemariah, H8114 and Shephatiah H8203 the Haruphite, H2741

6 Elkanah, H511 and Jesiah, H3449 and Azareel, H5832 and Joezer, H3134 and Jashobeam, H3434 the Korhites, H7145

7 And Joelah, H3132 and Zebadiah, H2069 the sons H1121 of Jeroham H3395 of Gedor. H1446

8 And of the Gadites H1425 there separated H914 themselves unto David H1732 into the hold H4679 to the wilderness H4057 men H1368 of might, H2428 and men H582 of war H6635 fit for the battle, H4421 that could handle H6186 shield H6793 and buckler, H7420 whose faces H6440 were like the faces H6440 of lions, H738 and were as swift H4116 as the roes H6643 upon the mountains; H2022

9 Ezer H5829 the first, H7218 Obadiah H5662 the second, H8145 Eliab H446 the third, H7992

10 Mishmannah H4925 the fourth, H7243 Jeremiah H3414 the fifth, H2549

11 Attai H6262 the sixth, H8345 Eliel H447 the seventh, H7637

12 Johanan H3110 the eighth, H8066 Elzabad H443 the ninth, H8671

13 Jeremiah H3414 the tenth, H6224 Machbanai H4344 the eleventh. H6249 H6240

14 These were of the sons H1121 of Gad, H1410 captains H7218 of the host: H6635 one H259 of the least H6996 was over an hundred, H3967 and the greatest H1419 over a thousand. H505

15 These are they that went over H5674 Jordan H3383 in the first H7223 month, H2320 when it had overflown H4390 all his banks; H1415 H1428 and they put to flight H1272 all them of the valleys, H6010 both toward the east, H4217 and toward the west. H4628

16 And there came H935 of the children H1121 of Benjamin H1144 and Judah H3063 to the hold H4679 unto David. H1732

17 And David H1732 went out H3318 to meet H6440 them, and answered H6030 and said H559 unto them, If ye be come H935 peaceably H7965 unto me to help H5826 me, mine heart H3824 shall be knit H3162 unto you: but if ye be come to betray H7411 me to mine enemies, H6862 seeing there is no H3808 wrong H2555 in mine hands, H3709 the God H430 of our fathers H1 look H7200 thereon, and rebuke H3198 it.

18 Then the spirit H7307 came H3847 upon Amasai, H6022 who was chief H7218 of the captains, H7970 H7991 and he said, Thine are we, David, H1732 and on thy side, thou son H1121 of Jesse: H3448 peace, H7965 peace H7965 be unto thee, and peace H7965 be to thine helpers; H5826 for thy God H430 helpeth H5826 thee. Then David H1732 received H6901 them, and made H5414 them captains H7218 of the band. H1416

19 And there fell H5307 some of Manasseh H4519 to David, H1732 when he came H935 with the Philistines H6430 against Saul H7586 to battle: H4421 but they helped H5826 them not: for the lords H5633 of the Philistines H6430 upon advisement H6098 sent H7971 him away, saying, H559 He will fall H5307 to his master H113 Saul H7586 to the jeopardy of our heads. H7218

20 As he went H3212 to Ziklag, H6860 there fell H5307 to him of Manasseh, H4519 Adnah, H5734 and Jozabad, H3107 and Jediael, H3043 and Michael, H4317 and Jozabad, H3107 and Elihu, H453 and Zilthai, H6769 captains H7218 of the thousands H505 that were of Manasseh. H4519

21 And they helped H5826 David H1732 against the band H1416 of the rovers: for they were all mighty men H1368 of valour, H2428 and were captains H8269 in the host. H6635

22 For at that time H6256 day H3117 by day H3117 there came H935 to David H1732 to help H5826 him, until it was a great H1419 host, H4264 like the host H4264 of God. H430

23 And these are the numbers H4557 of the bands H7218 that were ready armed H2502 to the war, H6635 and came H935 to David H1732 to Hebron, H2275 to turn H5437 the kingdom H4438 of Saul H7586 to him, according to the word H6310 of the LORD. H3068

24 The children H1121 of Judah H3063 that bare H5375 shield H6793 and spear H7420 were six H8337 thousand H505 and eight H8083 hundred, H3967 ready armed H2502 to the war. H6635

25 Of the children H1121 of Simeon, H8095 mighty men H1368 of valour H2428 for the war, H6635 seven H7651 thousand H505 and one hundred. H3967

26 Of the children H1121 of Levi H3878 four H702 thousand H505 and six H8337 hundred. H3967

27 And Jehoiada H3077 was the leader H5057 of the Aaronites, H175 and with him were three H7969 thousand H505 and seven H7651 hundred; H3967

28 And Zadok, H6659 a young man H5288 mighty H1368 of valour, H2428 and of his father's H1 house H1004 twenty H6242 and two H8147 captains. H8269

29 And of the children H1121 of Benjamin, H1144 the kindred H251 of Saul, H7586 three H7969 thousand: H505 for hitherto the greatest H4768 part of them had kept H8104 the ward H4931 of the house H1004 of Saul. H7586

30 And of the children H1121 of Ephraim H669 twenty H6242 thousand H505 and eight H8083 hundred, H3967 mighty H1368 men H582 of valour, H2428 famous H8034 throughout the house H1004 of their fathers. H1

31 And of the half H2677 tribe H4294 of Manasseh H4519 eighteen H8083 H6240 thousand, H505 which were expressed H5344 by name, H8034 to come H935 and make David H1732 king. H4427

32 And of the children H1121 of Issachar, H3485 which were men that had understanding H998 H3045 of the times, H6256 to know H3045 what Israel H3478 ought to do; H6213 the heads H7218 of them were two hundred; H3967 and all their brethren H251 were at their commandment. H6310

33 Of Zebulun, H2074 such as went forth H3318 to battle, H6635 expert H6186 in war, H4421 with all instruments H3627 of war, H4421 fifty H2572 thousand, H505 which could keep rank: H5737 they were not of double H3820 heart. H3820

34 And of Naphtali H5321 a thousand H505 captains, H8269 and with them with shield H6793 and spear H2595 thirty H7970 and seven H7651 thousand. H505

35 And of the Danites H1839 expert H6186 in war H4421 twenty H6242 and eight H8083 thousand H505 and six H8337 hundred. H3967

36 And of Asher, H836 such as went forth H3318 to battle, H6635 expert H6186 in war, H4421 forty H705 thousand. H505

37 And on the other side H5676 of Jordan, H3383 of the Reubenites, H7206 and the Gadites, H1425 and of the half H2677 tribe H7626 of Manasseh, H4519 with all manner of instruments H3627 of war H6635 for the battle, H4421 an hundred H3967 and twenty H6242 thousand. H505

38 All these men H582 of war, H4421 that could keep H5737 rank, H4634 came H935 with a perfect H8003 heart H3820 to Hebron, H2275 to make David H1732 king H4427 over all Israel: H3478 and all the rest H7611 also of Israel H3478 were of one H259 heart H3824 to make David H1732 king. H4427

39 And there they were with David H1732 three H7969 days, H3117 eating H398 and drinking: H8354 for their brethren H251 had prepared H3559 for them.

40 Moreover they that were nigh H7138 them, even unto Issachar H3485 and Zebulun H2074 and Naphtali, H5321 brought H935 bread H3899 on asses, H2543 and on camels, H1581 and on mules, H6505 and on oxen, H1241 and meat, H3978 meal, H7058 cakes H1690 of figs, and bunches of raisins, H6778 and wine, H3196 and oil, H8081 and oxen, H1241 and sheep H6629 abundantly: H7230 for there was joy H8057 in Israel. H3478


1 Chronicles 12:1-40 American Standard (ASV)

1 Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war.

2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow: they were of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

3 The chief was Ahiezer; then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah, and Jehu the Anathothite,

4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite,

5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,

6 Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites,

7 and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;

9 Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These of the sons of Gad were captains of the host: he that was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to a thousand.

15 These are they that went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold unto David.

17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you; but if `ye be come' to betray me to mine adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, `and he said', Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thy helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

19 Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not; for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands that were of Manasseh.

21 And they helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the host.

22 For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great host, like the host of God.

23 And these are the numbers of the heads of them that were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Jehovah.

24 The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.

25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

27 And Jehoiada was the leader of `the house of' Aaron; and with him were three thousand and seven hundred,

28 and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.

29 And of the children of Benjamin, the brethren of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.

30 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.

31 And of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.

32 And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

33 Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand, and that could order `the battle array, and were' not of double heart.

34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.

35 And of the Danites that could set the battle in array, twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.

36 And of Asher, such as were able to go out in the host, that could set the battle in array, forty thousand.

37 And on the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand.

38 All these being men of war, that could order the battle array, 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.

39 And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brethren had made preparation for them.

40 Moreover they that were nigh unto them, `even' as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, victuals of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Israel.


1 Chronicles 12:1-40 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And these `are' those coming in unto David to Ziklag, while shut up because of Saul son of Kish, and they `are' among the mighty ones, helping the battle,

2 armed with bow, right and left handed, with stones, and with arrows, with bows, of the brethren of Saul, of Benjamin.

3 The head `is' Ahiezer, and Joash, sons of Shemaab the Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth, and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite,

4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty one among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite.

5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite;

6 Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam the Korhites,

7 and Joelah, and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8 And of the Gadite there have been separated unto David, to the fortress, to the wilderness, mighty of valour, men of the host for battle, setting in array target and buckler, and their faces the face of the lion, and as roes on the mountains for speed:

9 Ezer the head, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These `are' of the sons of Gad, heads of the host, one of a hundred `is' the least, and the greatest, of a thousand;

15 these `are' they who have passed over the Jordan in the first month, -- and it is full over all its banks -- and cause all `they of' the valley to flee to the east and to the west.

16 And there come of the sons of Benjamin and Judah unto the stronghold to David,

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,

22 for at that time, day by day, they come in unto David to help him, till it is a great camp, like a camp of God.

23 And these `are' the numbers of the head, of the armed men of the host; they have come in unto David to Hebron to turn round the kingdom of Saul unto him, according to the mouth of Jehovah.

24 The sons of Judah, bearing target and spear, `are' six thousand and eight hundred, armed ones of the host.

25 Of the sons of Simeon, mighty ones of valour for the host, `are' seven thousand and a hundred.

26 Of the sons of Levi `are' four thousand and six hundred;

27 and Jehoiada `is' the leader of the Aaronite, and with him `are' three thousand and seven hundred,

28 and Zadok, a young man, mighty of valour, and of the house of his father `are' twenty and two heads.

29 And of the sons of Benjamin, brethren of Saul, `are' three thousand, and hitherto their greater part are keeping the charge of the house of Saul.

30 And of the sons of Ephraim `are' twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty of valour, men of name, according to the house of their fathers.

31 And of the half of the tribe of Manasseh `are' eighteen thousand, who have been defined by name, to come in to cause David to reign.

32 And of the sons of Issachar, having understanding for the times, to know what Israel should do; their heads `are' two hundred, and all their brethren `are' at their command.

33 Of Zebulun, going forth to the host, arranging battle with all instruments of battle, `are' fifty thousand, and keeping rank without a double heart.

34 And of Naphtali, a thousand heads, and with them, with target and spear, `are' thirty and seven thousand.

35 And of the Danite, arranging battle, `are' twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.

36 And of Asher, going forth to the host, to arrange battle, `are' forty thousand.

37 And from beyond the Jordan, of the Reubenite, and of the Gadite, and of the half of the tribe of Manasseh, with all instruments of the host for battle, `are' a hundred and twenty thousand.

38 All these `are' men of war, keeping rank -- with a perfect heart they have come to Hebron, to cause David to reign over all Israel, and also all the rest of Israel `are' of one heart, to cause David to reign,

39 and they are there, with David, three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren have prepared for them.

40 And also those near unto them, unto Issachar, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, are bringing in bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen -- food of fine flour, fig-cakes and grape-cakes, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep, in abundance, for joy `is' in Israel.


1 Chronicles 12:1-40 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he kept still close because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men who helped him in the conflict;

2 armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left with stones and with arrows on the bow; [they were] of Saul's brethren of Benjamin:

3 the chief Ahiezer, and Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Anathothite,

4 and Jishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite.

5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite;

6 Elkanah, and Jishijah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites;

7 and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8 And of the Gadites, there separated themselves to David in the stronghold in the wilderness mighty men of valour, men fit for the service of war, armed with shield and spear; whose faces were [like] the faces of lions, and who were swift as the gazelles upon the mountains:

9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over a hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.

15 These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it overflows all its banks, and they put to flight all [them] of the valleys, toward the east and toward the west.

16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold to David.

17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, If ye come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you; but if to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers see [it] and rebuke [it].

18 And the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the captains, [and he said,] Thine [are we], David, And with thee, thou son of Jesse: Peace, peace be to thee! And peace be to thy helpers! For thy God helps thee. And David received them, and made them chiefs of bands.

19 And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not; for the lords of the Philistines upon deliberation sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul at the peril of our heads.

20 As he went away to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh: Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.

21 And they helped David in his expeditions; for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.

22 For day by day there came [men] to David to help him, until it was a great camp, like the camp of God.

23 And this is the number of the men equipped for military service, who came to David to Hebron, to transfer the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Jehovah.

24 The children of Judah that bore shield and spear were six thousand eight hundred, equipped for military service.

25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for war, seven thousand one hundred.

26 Of the children of Levi four thousand six hundred.

27 And Jehoiada the prince of Aaron, and with him were three thousand seven hundred;

28 and Zadok, a valiant young man, and his father's house two and twenty chief men.

29 And of the children of Benjamin, the brethren of Saul, three thousand; but hitherto the greater part of them had adhered to the house of Saul.

30 And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valour, men of name in their fathers' houses.

31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

32 And of the children of Issachar, who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their bidding.

33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth in the host, armed for war with all weapons of war, fifty thousand, keeping rank without double heart.

34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them thirty-seven thousand with shield and spear.

35 And of the Danites armed for war twenty-eight thousand six hundred.

36 And of Asher such as went forth in the host, to set themselves in battle array, forty thousand.

37 And from the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of weapons of war for battle, a hundred and twenty thousand.

38 All of them men of war, keeping rank in battle array, 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.

39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brethren had prepared for them;

40 and those too that were near them, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought food on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen; provisions of meal, fig-cakes and raisin-cakes, and wine and oil, and oxen and sheep, abundantly; for there was joy in Israel.


1 Chronicles 12:1-40 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war.

2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow: they were of Saul's brothers of Benjamin.

3 The chief was Ahiezer; then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah, and Jehu the Anathothite,

4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite,

5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,

6 Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites,

7 and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8 Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes on the mountains;

9 Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These of the sons of Gad were captains of the host: he who was least was equal to one hundred, and the greatest to one thousand.

15 These are those who went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

16 There came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold to David.

17 David went out to meet them, and answered them, If you be come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you; but if [you be come] to betray me to my adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, [and he said], "We are yours, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse: peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you." Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

19 Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they didn't help them; for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh.

21 They helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the host.

22 For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great host, like the host of God.

23 These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Yahweh.

24 The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.

25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

27 Jehoiada was the leader of [the house of] Aaron; and with him were three thousand and seven hundred,

28 and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty-two captains.

29 Of the children of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.

30 Of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.

31 Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.

32 Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their commandment.

33 Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the host, who could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand, and who could order [the battle array, and were] not of double heart.

34 Of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty-seven thousand.

35 Of the Danites who could set the battle in array, twenty-eight thousand six hundred.

36 Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the host, who could set the battle in array, forty thousand.

37 On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, one hundred twenty thousand.

38 All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, 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.

39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had made preparation for them.

40 Moreover those who were near to them, [even] as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, food of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Israel.


1 Chronicles 12:1-40 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still shut up, because of Saul, the son of Kish; they were among the strong men, his helpers in war.

2 They were armed with bows, and were able to send stones, and arrows from the bow, with right hand or left: they were Saul's brothers, of Benjamin.

3 Ahiezer was their chief, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Beracah and Jehu the Anathothite;

4 And Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a great man among the thirty, and their chief; and Jeremiah and Jehaziel and Johanan and Jozabad the Gederathite;

5 Eluzai and Jerimoth and Bealiah and Shemariah and Shephatiah the Haruphite;

6 Elkanah and Isshiah and Azarel and Joezer and Jashobeam, the Korahites;

7 And Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8 And some of the Gadites, siding with David, went to his strong place in the waste land, great and strong men, trained for war, expert in the use of arms, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were quick-footed like roes on the mountains;

9 Ezer their chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

14 These Gadites were captains of the army; the least of them was captain over a hundred men, and the greatest over a thousand.

15 It was they who went over Jordan in the first month, when the river was overflowing, and put to flight all the people of the valleys, to the east and to the west.

16 And some of the children of Benjamin and Judah came to David in his strong place.

17 And David went out to them, and said to them, If you have come in peace to give me help, my heart will be united with yours; but if you have come to give me up to those who would take my life, though my hands are clean from wrongdoing, then may the God of our fathers see it and give you punishment.

18 Then the spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, We are yours, David, we are on your side, O son of Jesse: may peace be with you and peace be with your helpers; for God is your helper. Then David took them into his army and made them captains of the band.

19 And some of the men of Manasseh came over to David, when he went with the Philistines to the war against Saul, but he gave them no help: for the lords of the Philistines, after discussion, sent him away, saying, He will go back to his master Saul, at the price of our lives.

20 Then when he went back to Ziklag, there came over to him, of the men of Manasseh, Adnah and Jozabad and Jediael and Michael and Jozabad and Elihu and Zillethai, captains of thousands from the armies of Manasseh.

21 And they gave David help against the armed bands, for they were all great men of war, and captains in the army.

22 And from day to day more supporters came to David, till he had a great army like the army of God.

23 These are the numbers of the chiefs of the armed men, ready for war, who came to David at Hebron, to give the kingdom of Saul into his hands, as the Lord had said.

24 There were six thousand, eight hundred spearmen of the children of Judah, armed for war;

25 Seven thousand, one hundred of the children of Simeon, great men of war;

26 Of the children of Levi, four thousand, six hundred.

27 And Jehoiada, chief of the family of Aaron, and with him three thousand, seven hundred men;

28 And Zadok, a young man, great and strong in war, with twenty-two captains from his father's people.

29 And of the children of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand; for up to that time the greater part of them had been true to Saul.

30 And of the children of Ephraim, twenty thousand, eight hundred great men of war, men of great name in their families.

31 And from the half-tribe of Manasseh, eighteen thousand, listed by name, came to make David king.

32 And of the children of Issachar, there were two hundred chiefs, men who had expert knowledge of the times and what it was best for Israel to do, and all their brothers were under their orders.

33 Of Zebulun, there were fifty thousand men, who went out with the army, expert in ordering the fight, to give help with all sorts of arms; true-hearted men.

34 And of Naphtali, a thousand captains with thirty-seven thousand spearmen.

35 And of the Danites, twenty-eight thousand, six hundred, expert in ordering the fight.

36 And of Asher, forty thousand who went out with the army, expert in ordering the fight.

37 From the other side of Jordan, there were a hundred and twenty thousand of the Reubenites and the Gadites and the men of the half-tribe of Manasseh, armed with every sort of instrument of war.

38 All these men of war, expert in ordering the fight, came to Hebron with the full purpose of making David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were united in their desire to make David king.

39 For three days they were there with David, feasting at his table, for their brothers had made ready food for them.

40 And those who were near, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, came with food on asses and camels and mules and oxen, with meal for food and cakes of figs and masses of grapes, and wine and oil and oxen and sheep in great numbers, for there was joy in Israel.

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 12

1Ch 12:1-22. The Companies That Came to David at Ziklag.

1-7. Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag—There are three lists given in this chapter, arranged, apparently, according to the order of time when the parties joined the standard of David.

while he yet kept himself close because of Saul—that is, when the king's jealousy had driven him into exile from the court and the country.

Ziklag—(See on 1Sa 27:6). It was during his retirement in that Philistine town that he was joined in rapid succession by the heroes who afterwards contributed so much to the glory of his reign.

2. of Saul's brethren of Benjamin—that is, of the tribe of Benjamin (compare 1Ch 12:29), but some of them might be relatives of the king. This movement to which the parties were led, doubtless by the secret impulse of the Spirit, was of vast importance to the cause of David, as it must have been founded on their observation of the evident withdrawal of God's blessing from Saul, and His favoring presence with David, to whom it was universally known the Divine King of Israel had given the crown in reversion. The accession of the Benjamites who came first and their resolution to share his fortunes must have been particularly grateful to David. It was a public and emphatic testimony by those who had enjoyed the best means of information to the unblemished excellence of his character, as well as a decided protest against the grievous wrong inflicted by causelessly outlawing a man who had rendered such eminent services to his country.

4. Ismaiah the Gibeonite—It appears that not only the Canaanites who were admitted into the congregation (Jos 9:1-27), but people of the tribe of Benjamin, were among the inhabitants of Gibeon. The mention of "the Gederathite," probably from Gederah (Jos 15:36), in the lowlands of Judah; of the Korhites (1Ch 12:6), from Korah (1Ch 2:43), and of Gedor (1Ch 12:7), a town in Judah, to the southwest of Beth-lehem (compare 1Ch 4:4), shows that this first list contains men of Judah as well as Benjamin [Bertheau].

8-13. of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David—that is, from the service of Saul and from the rest of the Gadites who remained steadfast adherents of his cause.

into the hold—or fortress, that is, of Ziklag, which was in the wilderness of Judah.

whose faces were like the faces of lions, &c.—A fierce, lion-like countenance (2Sa 1:23), and great agility in pursuit (2Sa 2:18), were qualities of the highest estimation in ancient warfare.

14. one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand—David, while at Ziklag, had not so large an amount of forces as to give to each of these the command of so many men. Another meaning, therefore, must obviously be sought, and excluding was, which is a supplement by our translators, the import of the passage is, that one of the least could discomfit a hundred, and the greatest was worth a thousand ordinary men; a strong hyperbole to express their uncommon valor.

15. These are they that went over Jordan in the first month—that is, in spring, when the swollen river generally fills up the banks of its channel (see on Jos 3:14; Jos 4:19; Jos 5:10).

they put to flight all them of the valleys—This was probably done at the time of their separating themselves and their purpose being discovered, they had to cut their passage through the opposing adherents of Saul, both on the eastern and western banks. The impossibility of taking the fords at such a time, and the violent rapidity of the current, make this crossing of the Jordan—in whatever way these Gadites accomplished it—a remarkable feat.

16. the children of Benjamin and Judah—It is probable that the Benjamites invited the Judahites to accompany them, in order to prevent David being suspicious of them. Their anticipations, as the result showed, were well founded. He did suspect them, but the doubts of David as to their object in repairing to him, were promptly dispelled by Amasai or Amasa, who, by the secret impulse of the Spirit, assured him of their strong attachment and their zealous service from a unanimous conviction that his cause was owned and blessed of God (1Sa 18:12-14).

19-22. there fell some of Manasseh—The period of their accession is fixed as the time when David came with the Philistines against Saul to battle.

but they helped them not—(See on 1Sa 29:4).

20. As he went to Ziklag—If those Manassites joined him on his return to Ziklag, after his dismissal from the Philistine army, then their arrival took place before the battle of Gilboa could have been fought (compare 1Sa 29:11). Convinced of the desperate state of Saul's affairs, they abandoned him, and resolved to transfer their allegiance to David. But some learned men think that they came as fugitives from that disastrous field [Calmet and Ewald].

captains of the thousands … of Manasseh—Those seven were commanders of the large military divisions of their tribe.

21, 22. they helped David against the band—that is, the Amalekites who had pillaged Ziklag in David's absence. This military expedition was made by all his men (1Sa 30:9), who, as David's early helpers, are specially distinguished from those who are mentioned in the latter portion of the chapter.

22. the host of God—that is, a great and powerful army.

1Ch 12:23-40. The Armies That Came to Him at Hebron.

23. these are the numbers of the bands … that came to David to Hebron—after the death of Ish-bosheth (see on 2Sa 5:1).

to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord—(1Ch 10:14; 11:3, 10). The account commences with the southern tribes, Levi being associated with Judah and Simeon, as the great majority of the leading men in this tribe resided in Judah; and, after recounting the representatives of the northern tribes, it concludes with those on the east of Jordan.

27. Jehoiada, the leader of the Aaronites—not the high priest, for that was Abiathar (1Sa 23:9), but the leader of the Aaronite warriors, supposed to be the father of Benaiah (1Ch 11:22).

29. Benjamin … three thousand—This small number shows the unpopularity of the movement in this tribe; and, indeed, it is expressly stated that the mass of the population had, even after Ish-bosheth's death, anxiously endeavored to secure the crown in the family of Saul.

32. children of Issachar, … that had understanding of the times, &c.—Jewish writers say that the people of this tribe were eminent for their acquirements in astronomical and physical science; and the object of the remark was probably to show that the intelligent and learned classes were united with the military, and had declared for David.

33. Zebulun … could keep rank—that is, were more disciplined soldiers than the rest.

not of double heart—Though their numbers were large, all were in a high degree well affected to David.

38. all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king—that is, entertained a unanimous desire for his elevation.

39, 40. there they were with David three days, eating and drinking—According to the statements made in the preceding verses, the number of armed warriors assembled in Hebron on this occasion amounted to three hundred thousand. Supplies of provisions were abundantly furnished, not only by the people of the neighborhood, but from distant parts of the country, for all wished the festivities to be on a scale of liberality and magnificence suitable to the auspicious occasion.