12:16 Some from Benjamin and Judah also came to David’s stronghold. 12:17 David went out to meet them and said, 1 “If you come to me in peace and want to help me, then I will make an alliance with you. 2 But if you come to betray me to my enemies when I have not harmed you, 3 may the God of our ancestors 4 take notice and judge!” 12:18 But a spirit 5 empowered 6 Amasai, the leader of the thirty warriors, and he said: 7
“We are yours, O David!
We support 8 you, O son of Jesse!
May you greatly prosper! 9
May those who help you prosper! 10
Indeed 11 your God helps you!”
So David accepted them and made them leaders of raiding bands.
12:19 Some men from Manasseh joined 12 David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (But in the end they did not help the Philistines because, after taking counsel, the Philistine lords sent David away, saying: “It would be disastrous for us if he deserts to his master Saul.”) 13 12:20 When David 14 went to Ziklag, the men of Manasseh who joined him were Adnach, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders of a thousand soldiers each in the tribe of Manasseh. 12:21 They helped David fight against raiding bands, for all of them were warriors and leaders in the army. 12:22 Each day men came to help David until his army became very large. 15