New International Reader's Version

1 Chronicles 12:12-28 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

12. Johanan was eighth. Elzabad was ninth.

13. Jeremiah was tenth. And Macbannai was eleventh.

14. All of those men of Gad were army commanders. The least important of them was equal to 100 men. The most important was equal to 1,000.

15. They went across the Jordan River when it was flowing over its banks. That happened in the first month of spring. They chased away everyone who lived in the valleys. They chased them away from the east and west sides of the river.

16. Some men from the territories of Benjamin and Judah also came to David at his usual place of safety.

17. David went out to meet them. He said to them, "Have you come to me in peace? Have you come to help me? If you have, I'm ready to have you join me. But suppose you have come to hand me over to my enemies when I haven't even harmed anyone. Then may the God of our people see it and judge you."

18. The Spirit of God came on Amasai. He was chief of the Thirty. He said, "David, we belong to you! Son of Jesse, we're on your side! May you have great success. May those who help you also have success. Your God will help you." So David welcomed them. He made them leaders in his army.

19. Some men of Manasseh went over to David's side when he marched out with the Philistines to fight against Saul. But David and his men didn't help the Philistines. That's because after all of the Philistine rulers had discussed the matter, they sent him away. They said, "Suppose he deserts to his master Saul. Then our heads will be cut off!"

20. So David went to Ziklag. Here are the men of Manasseh who went over to his side. They were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai. They were leaders of companies of 1,000 men in Manasseh.

21. They helped David fight against enemy armies. All of the men of Manasseh were brave fighting men. They were commanders in David's army.

22. Day after day men came to help him. Soon he had a large army. It was like the army of God.

23. Large numbers of men came to David at Hebron. They were prepared for battle. They came to hand Saul's kingdom over to him, just as the Lord had said. Here are the numbers of the men who came.

24. The men from Judah carried shields and spears. They were prepared for battle. The total number of them was 6,800.

25. The fighting men from Simeon were ready for battle. The total number of them was 7,100.

26. The total number of men from Levi was 4,600.

27. They included Jehoiada. He was the leader of the family of Aaron. He came with 3,700 men.

28. They also included Zadok. He was a brave young fighter. He came with 22 officers from his family.