1 Chronicles 12

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.

These were the brave souls who joined David in Ziklag, while he was still hiding from Saul, son of Kish. They were his loyal warriors, aiding him in battle.

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.

Saul's kin from Benjamin, skilled in archery, could deftly launch stones and arrows with both hands, their bows at the ready.

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.

The leader was Ahiezer, followed by Joash, both sons of Shemaah from Gibeath. Then came Jeziel and Pelet, offspring of Azmaveth. Lastly, Berachah and Jehu from Anathoth.

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

Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a powerful leader among thirty men, stood tall. Alongside him were Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite, all strong and faithful.

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

Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite, these were men of deep faith and courage.

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

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

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

Joelah and Zebadiah, the cherished sons of Jeroham from Gedor, were born.

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;

From the tribe of Gad, brave and mighty warriors joined David in the wilderness. These men, ready for battle, skilled with shields and weapons, had faces as fierce as lions and were as swift as deer on the mountains.

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

Ezer was the first, Obadiah the second, and Eliab the third,

Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

The fourth was the devoted Mishmannah, followed by the compassionate Jeremiah as the fifth.

Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

The sixth was Attai, filled with wisdom, and the seventh was Eliel, brimming with strength.

Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

Johanan, the eighth, filled with wisdom, and Elzabad, the ninth, radiating strength.

Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.

Jeremiah was the tenth, followed by Machbanai, the eleventh.

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.

Among Gad's sons, even the least led a hundred soldiers, while the greatest commanded over a thousand.

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.

In the first month, they bravely crossed the overflowing Jordan River. They fearlessly drove away everyone in the valleys, to the east and west.

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

Men from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah also came to David at his stronghold, their hearts filled with hope and loyalty.

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.

David approached them, saying, "If you come in peace to aid me, my heart will be bonded with yours. But if you're here to betray me to my enemies, despite my innocence, may our ancestral God see this and condemn it."

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.

The spirit filled Amasai, the leader of the captains, with a profound sense of loyalty and peace. He declared, "David, we are with you, son of Jesse. May peace be with you and those who aid you, for God is on your side." Touched by their allegiance, David welcomed them and appointed them as leaders of his troops.

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.

When David joined the Philistines in battle against Saul, some from Manasseh sided with him. However, they didn't assist the Philistines. The Philistine leaders, fearing David might betray them to Saul, decided to send him away to protect themselves.

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.

As he journeyed to Ziklag, he was joined by men of Manasseh - Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, another Jozabad, Elihu, and Zilthai. These were not just ordinary men, but leaders of thousands from Manasseh.

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

They stood by David, bravely facing the marauding band. Each one, a courageous warrior, leading their troops with honor.

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.

During that period, people flocked daily to support David, growing into a massive force, mirroring God's own army.

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.

These were the brave warriors, prepared for battle, who rallied to David in Hebron. They came to shift Saul's reign to David, as God had commanded.

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

The brave sons of Judah, armed with shields and spears, numbered 6,800, prepared and eager for battle.

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

From the lineage of Simeon, emerged 7,100 brave and strong warriors, ready for battle.

Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

Among the descendants of Levi, there were four thousand six hundred souls, each with their own stories and lives.

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

Jehoiada, a revered leader of the Aaronites, stood strong. He was not alone; a mighty force of three thousand seven hundred stood faithfully by his side.

And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father’s house twenty and two captains.

Zadok, a brave young man of great courage, led twenty-two captains from his own family.

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.

From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's relatives, there were three thousand. Most of them had remained loyal to Saul's household until now.

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

From Ephraim's lineage came 20,800 brave and renowned warriors, their courage and fame echoing through their ancestral halls.

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

Eighteen thousand from the half tribe of Manasseh, each called by name, passionately rallied to crown David as their king.

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.

The children of Issachar were wise men, deeply in tune with the times, knowing exactly what Israel needed to do. They were led by two hundred strong leaders, and their brothers faithfully followed their guidance.

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.

From Zebulun, fifty thousand brave and skilled warriors marched into battle, armed with every weapon of war. They were united, their hearts beating as one, free of deceit and doubt.

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

From Naphtali, a thousand leaders emerged, bravely armed with shields and spears, leading a formidable force of thirty-seven thousand.

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

From the tribe of Dan, a mighty force of 28,600 skilled warriors stood ready for battle.

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

From Asher, forty thousand brave and skilled warriors marched into battle, their hearts aflame with courage.

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.

Across the Jordan, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh stood ready for battle. They were armed to the teeth, a formidable force of 120,000 warriors.

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.

Every brave soldier, well-disciplined and loyal, arrived in Hebron, their hearts filled with unwavering dedication, ready to crown David as the king of all Israel. The rest of Israel, too, shared this unified desire, their hearts beating as one, eager to see David ascend the throne.

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

David and his companions spent three joyful days together, feasting and celebrating, thanks to the generous preparations made by their brothers.

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.

Those nearby, from Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, joyfully brought food and drink on various beasts of burden. They carried bread, meat, grain, fig cakes, raisins, wine, oil, and plenty of oxen and sheep. Their hearts were full of happiness, for it was a time of great joy in Israel.