16. These were the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing its banks, routing all those in the valleys to the east and to the west.
17. Some of the children of Benjamin and also from Judah came to David at the stronghold.
18. David went out to meet them and answered them saying, “If you come to me in peace to support me, then my heart will be united with you. But if it is to betray me to my adversaries, when my hands have done no wrong, then may the God of our fathers take notice and judge.”
19. Then a spirit came upon Amasai, leader of the 30, “We are yours, David, on your side, son of Jesse. Shalom, shalom to you, and shalom to him who helps you, for your God supports you!” So David welcomed them and made them leaders of the troops.
20. Some from Manasseh went over to David when he went with the Philistines to battle against Saul. But they did not help them because the Philistine rulers after consultation sent him away, saying: “It would cost us our heads if he defected to his master Saul.”
21. When he went to Ziklag, these from Manasseh joined him—Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, Zillethai, the leaders of thousands that were from Manasseh.
22. They helped David against the raiding bands, for all of them were valiant warriors and they were officers in the army.
23. Day by day men came to David to help him until there was a great army like the army of God.
24. These are the numbers of the heads of those armed for war who came to David in Hebron to transfer Saul’s kingdom to him, according to the word of Adonai:
25. The sons of Judah that bore shield and spear were 6,800, armed for war;
26. from the sons of Simeon, 7,100 brave warriors ready for war;
27. from the sons of Levi 4,600;
28. Jehoiada the leader of the Aaronides and with him 3,700;
29. Zadok, a young mighty man of valor, with 22 commanders from his clan;
30. from the sons of Benjamin, Saul’s kinsmen, 3,000 for up to that time the majority of them had kept their allegiance to Saul’s house;
31. from the sons of Ephraim 20,800 valliant warriors, famous men in their clan;