1 Chronicles 12

Soldiers Who Joined David While He Was on the Run

1 These the soldiers who linked up with David at Ziklag when he was still on the run from King Saul. These dudes did not just come to chill, they came to ride and fight alongside David.

2 They were from Saul’s tribe, Benjaminites, and knew how to handle bows and slings. Straight ambidextrous: could shoot arrows and sling stones with either hand.

3 Leaders were Ahiezer and Joash, sons of Shemaah from Gibeah. Then came Jeziel and Pelet (sons of Azmaveth), Beracah, and Jehu from Anathoth.

4 Next was Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a warrior known among the top Thirty, a straight killer in battle. Also Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah.

5 Then came Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah from the Haruphites.

6 Also Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, all from the Korahite line.

7 And then Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham from Gedor.

Gad’s Wild Warriors

8 From the tribe of Gad, some straight-up beasts came through while David was hiding out in the wilderness. These were war-trained soldiers, faces like lions, quick on their feet like mountain deer.

9 Their leader was Ezer, then Obadiah was second, Eliab was third,

10 Mishmannah was fourth, Jeremiah fifth,

11 Attai sixth, Eliel seventh,

12 Johanan eighth, Elzabad ninth,

13 Jeremiah tenth, and Machbannai was eleventh.

14 These Gadites were built different. Even the weakest one could body a hundred men. The strongest, He was worth a thousand on his own.

15 These were the same dudes who crossed the Jordan River when it was flooding, wrecked anyone in their way, and made it look easy.

Some Judah and Benjamin Brothers Join Up

16 Some men from Benjamin and Judah came to meet David at the stronghold.

17 David stepped out and told them, “If y’all are coming to help me for real, we are cool. But if y’all are trying to set me up, God sees it. And He is going to judge you for that.”

18 Then the Spirit of God came on Amasai, the leader of the Thirty, and he shouted, “We are with you, David! We are riding with you, son of Jesse! Peace to you, peace to your crew. God has your back, and we do too!” So David brought them in and put them in leadership spots.

Manasseh Flips and Fights with David

19 When David was about to go to war with the Philistines against Saul, a squad from Manasseh came through to roll with him. But the Philistine rulers did not trust David, they thought he might flip mid-battle, so they sent him back.

20 But the following dudes joined David on the way back to Ziklag from Manasseh: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad (another one), Elihu, and Zillethai, all bosses over thousands.

21 They helped David stomp out raiders, they were mighty warriors, and David put them in charge of troops.

22 And every day, new real ones joined David, until his squad looked like God’s own army, deep, organized, and unstoppable.

Soldiers from Every Tribe Pull Up to Make David King

23 Here is the roll call of warriors who came to Hebron to make David king, just like the LORD promised:

24 From Judah: 6,800 warriors locked and loaded with shields and spears.

25 From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men ready to throw down.

26 From Levi: 4,600 troops.

27 Also Jehoiada, leader from Aaron’s line, brought 3,700 men.

28 And Zadok, a young beast, showed up with 22 elite commanders.

29 From Benjamin (Saul’s people): 3,000 soldiers. Most of them had stayed loyal to Saul up until now.

30 From Ephraim: 20,800 soldiers, respected, known, and down to fight.

31 From half the tribe of Manasseh: 18,000, chosen by name to help crown David.

32 From Issachar: 200 chiefs who understood the times and knew what Israel needed to do. These were wise counselors, and all their people rolled with them.

33 From Zebulun: 50,000 warriors trained for battle, loyal and not double-minded.

34 From Naphtali: 1,000 commanders and 37,000 soldiers with shields and spears.

35 From Dan: 28,600 warriors trained for war.

36 From Asher: 40,000 soldiers ready for battle.

37 From the other side of the Jordan, Reuben, Gad, and the other half of Manasseh, 120,000 soldiers armed with every kind of weapon you can name.

The People Were United, David Becomes King

38 All these soldiers came to Hebron with one thing on their heart, to make David king. No politics, no jealousy. Just unity.

39 They stayed with David for three days, feasting and celebrating, because their brothers had provided for them.

40 People came from all around, even from Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. There was a feast with flour, cakes, figs, raisins, wine, oil, beef, and lambs, and joy filled the whole land because David was finally king.