12:16 Some from Benjamin and Judah also came to David’s stronghold. 12:17 David went out to meet them and said, 1 “If you come to me in peace and want to help me, then I will make an alliance with you. 2 But if you come to betray me to my enemies when I have not harmed you, 3 may the God of our ancestors 4 take notice and judge!” 12:18 But a spirit 5 empowered 6 Amasai, the leader of the thirty warriors, and he said: 7
“We are yours, O David!
We support 8 you, O son of Jesse!
May you greatly prosper! 9
May those who help you prosper! 10
Indeed 11 your God helps you!”
So David accepted them and made them leaders of raiding bands.
12:19 Some men from Manasseh joined 12 David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (But in the end they did not help the Philistines because, after taking counsel, the Philistine lords sent David away, saying: “It would be disastrous for us if he deserts to his master Saul.”) 13
1 tn Heb “and David went out before them and answered and said to them.”
2 tn Heb “there will be to me concerning you a heart for unity.”
3 tn Heb “with no violence in my hands.”
4 tn Heb “fathers.”
5 tn Perhaps “the Spirit,” but the text has simply רוּחַ (ruakh) with no article (suggesting an indefinite reference).
6 tn Heb “clothed.”
7 tn The words “and he said” are supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
8 tn Heb “are with.”
9 tn Heb “Peace, peace to you.” The Hebrew term שָׁלוֹם (shalom, “peace”) is repeated to emphasize degree.
10 tn Heb “and peace to the one who helps you.”
11 tn Or “for.”
12 tn Heb “fell upon,” here in a good sense.
13 tn Heb “and they did not help them for by counsel they sent him away, the lords of the Philistines, saying, ‘With our heads he will fall to his master Saul.’”