14. These Gadites were military officers, the least of them ready to fight a hundred and the greatest a thousand.
15. These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks, and chased away everyone living in the valleys to the east and the west.
16. Some Benjaminites and Judahites also came to David at the fortress.
17. David went out to meet them and said to them, "If you’ve come to me with good intentions in order to help me, then we will join forces. But if you’ve come to betray me to my enemies, though I’ve done no wrong, then may our ancestors’ God see it and punish you."
18. Then a spirit took hold of Amasai, the leader of the Thirty:David, we are yours;and on your side, Jesse’s son!May it go very well for you,and may it go well for whoever helps you!Yes, your God has helped you.Then David received them, and put them at the head of his troops.
19. Some of the Manassites also joined David when he came with the Philistines for the battle against Saul. But he didn’t help them, because after considering the matter, the Philistine rulers sent him away. "He’ll rejoin his master Saul," they said, "and it will cost us our heads."
20. When he went to Ziklag some joined him from Manasseh: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, leaders of units of a thousand in Manasseh.
21. They helped David against the raiding bands because they were all warriors and officers in the army.
22. Reinforcements came to David daily until there was an army as mighty as God’s army.
23. These are the numbers of the commanders of those armed for battle who came to David in Hebron to make sure he took over Saul’s kingdom, according to the Lord’s word:
24. from Judah, carrying shield and spear, 6,800 troops armed for battle;
25. from Simeon, mighty warriors, 7,100;