2. They could shoot arrows from their bows with either their right or left hand. They could also throw stones from their slings with either their right or left hand. They were Saul’s relatives from the tribe of Benjamin. They were
3. Ahiezer, their leader, and Joash (sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite); Jeziel and Pelet (sons of Azmaveth); Beracah and Jehu from the town of Anathoth;
4. Ishmaiah the Gibeonite (a hero and leader of the Thirty Heroes); Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from the Gederathites;
5. Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, and Shemariah; Shephatiah from Haruph;
6. Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, all from the tribe of Korah;
7. and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from the town of Gedor.
8. Part of the tribe of Gad joined David at his fortress in the desert. They were brave soldiers trained for war and skilled with the shield and spear. They looked as fierce as lions, and they could run as fast as gazelles through the mountains.
9. Ezer was the leader of the army from the tribe of Gad. Obadiah was the second in command. Eliab was the third in command.
10. Mishmannah was the fourth in command. Jeremiah was the fifth in command.
11. Attai was the sixth in command. Eliel was the seventh in command.
12. Johanan was the eighth in command. Elzabad was the ninth in command.
13. Jeremiah was the tenth in command. Macbannai was the eleventh in command.
14. These men were leaders of the Gadite army. The weakest from that group was worth 100 men, and the strongest was worth 1000 men.
15. They were the soldiers who crossed the Jordan River in the first month of the year, when it was flooded over its banks. They chased away the people in the valley who were on both sides of the river.
16. Other men from the tribes of Benjamin and Judah also came to David at the fortress.
17. David went out to meet them and said, “If you have come in peace to help me, I welcome you. Join me. But if you have come to spy on me when I have done nothing wrong, may the God of our ancestors see what you did and punish you.”
18. Amasai was the leader of the Thirty Heroes. Then the Spirit came on Amasai, and he said, “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse. Peace, peace to you. Peace to those who help you, because your God helps you.” So David welcomed these men into his group and put them in charge of the troops.