12:8 Some of the Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the desert. They were warriors who were trained for battle; they carried shields and spears. They were as fierce as lions and could run as quickly as gazelles across the hills. 2
“We are yours, O David!
We support 6 you, O son of Jesse!
May you greatly prosper! 7
May those who help you prosper! 8
Indeed 9 your God helps you!”
So David accepted them and made them leaders of raiding bands.
28:1 David assembled in Jerusalem 10 all the officials of Israel, including the commanders of the tribes, the commanders of the army divisions that served the king, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, the officials who were in charge of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, the eunuchs, and the warriors, including the most skilled of them.
1 tn Heb “the three,” referring to the three elite warriors mentioned in v. 12.
2 tn Heb “warriors, men of battle for war, prepared with shield and spear, and [like] the face of a lion were their faces, and like gazelles on the hills to hurry.”
3 tn Perhaps “the Spirit,” but the text has simply רוּחַ (ruakh) with no article (suggesting an indefinite reference).
4 tn Heb “clothed.”
5 tn The words “and he said” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
6 tn Heb “are with.”
7 tn Heb “Peace, peace to you.” The Hebrew term שָׁלוֹם (shalom, “peace”) is repeated to emphasize degree.
8 tn Heb “and peace to the one who helps you.”
9 tn Or “for.”
10 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.