Part 242 (1/2)

12:12. Johanan the eighth, Elzebad the ninth,

12:13. Jerenias the tenth, Machbani the eleventh,

12:14. These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the army: the least of them was captain over a hundred soldiers, and the greatest over a thousand.

12:15. These are they who pa.s.sed over the Jordan in the first month, when it is used to flow over its banks: and they put to flight all that dwelt in the valleys both toward the east and toward the west.

12:16. And there came also of the men of Benjamin, and of Juda to the hold, in which David abode.

12:17. And David went out to meet them, and said: If you are come peaceably to me to help me, let my heart be joined to you: but if you plot against me for my enemies whereas I have no iniquity in my hands, let the G.o.d of our fathers see, and judge.

12:18. But the spirit came upon Amasai the chief among thirty, and he said: We are thine, O David, and for thee, O son of Isai: peace, peace be to thee, and peace to thy helpers. For thy G.o.d helpeth thee. So David received them, and made them captains of the band.

12:19. And there were some of Mana.s.ses that went over to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to fight: but he did not fight with them: because the lords of the Philistines taking counsel sent him back, saying: With the danger of our heads he will return to his master Saul.

12:20. So when he went back to Siceleg, there fled to him of Mana.s.ses, Ednas and Jozabad, and Jedihel, and Michael, and Ednas, and Jozabad, and Eliu, and Salathi, captains of thousands in Mana.s.ses.

12:21. These helped David against the rovers: for they were all most valiant men, and were made commanders in the army.

12:22. Moreover day by day there came some to David to help him till they became a great number, like the army of G.o.d.

12:23. And this is the number of the chiefs of the army who came to David, when he was in Hebron, to transfer to him the kingdom of Saul, according to the word of the Lord.

12:24. The sons of Juda bearing s.h.i.+eld and spear, six thousand eight hundred well appointed to war.

12:25. Of the sons of Simeon valiant men for war, seven thousand one hundred.

12:26. Of the sons of Levi, four thousand six hundred.

12:27. And Joiada prince of the race of Aaron, and with him three thousand seven hundred.

12:28. Sadoc also a young man of excellent disposition, and the house of his father, twenty-two princ.i.p.al men.

12:29. And of the sons of Benjamin the brethren of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto a great part of them followed the house of Saul.

12:30. And of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, men of great valour renowned in their kindreds.

12:31. And of the half tribe of Mana.s.ses, eighteen thousand, every one by their names, came to make David king.

12:32. Also of the sons of Issachar men of understanding, that knew all times to order what Israel should do, two hundred princ.i.p.al men: and all the rest of the tribe followed their counsel.

12:33. And of Zabulon such as went forth to battle, and stood in array well appointed with armour for war, there came fifty thousand to his aid, with no double heart.

12:34. And of Nephtali, a thousand leaders: and with them seven and thirty thousand, furnished with s.h.i.+eld and spear.

12:35. Of Dan also twenty-eight thousand six hundred prepared for battle.

12:36. And of Aser forty thousand going forth to fight, and challenging in battle.

12:37. And on the other side of the Jordan of the sons of Ruben, and of Gad, and of the half of the tribe of Mana.s.ses a hundred and twenty thousand, furnished with arms for war.