1 Chronicles 12:19
New International Version
Some of the tribe of Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (He and his men did not help the Philistines because, after consultation, their rulers sent him away. They said, “It will cost us our heads if he deserts to his master Saul.”)

New Living Translation
Some men from Manasseh defected from the Israelite army and joined David when he set out with the Philistines to fight against Saul. But as it turned out, the Philistine rulers refused to let David and his men go with them. After much discussion, they sent them back, for they said, “It will cost us our heads if David switches loyalties to Saul and turns against us.”

English Standard Version
Some of the men of Manasseh deserted to David when he came with the Philistines for the battle against Saul. (Yet he did not help them, for the rulers of the Philistines took counsel and sent him away, saying, “At peril to our heads he will desert to his master Saul.”)

Berean Standard Bible
Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”)

King James Bible
And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

New King James Version
And some from Manasseh defected to David when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, “He may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads.”

New American Standard Bible
From Manasseh some also defected to David when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, because the governors of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, “At the cost of our heads he might defect to his master Saul.”

NASB 1995
From Manasseh also some defected to David when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines after consultation sent him away, saying, “At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.”

NASB 1977
From Manasseh also some defected to David, when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines after consultation sent him away, saying, “At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now from Manasseh also some defected to David when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines after counsel sent him away, saying, “At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.”

Amplified Bible
Some [of the men] of Manasseh also defected to David when he came with the Philistines to go to battle against Saul. But David’s men did not [actually] assist the Philistines, for the lords (governors) of the Philistines after consultation sent him away, saying, “At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.”

Christian Standard Bible
Some Manassites defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. However, they did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers sent David away after a discussion. They said, “It will be our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Some Manassites defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. However, they did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers sent David away after a discussion. They said, “It will be our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”

American Standard Version
Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not; for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

Contemporary English Version
Some of the warriors who joined David were from the tribe of Manasseh. They had earlier gone with David when he agreed to fight on the side of the Philistines against King Saul. But as soon as the Philistine rulers realized that David might turn against them and rejoin Saul, they sent David away to the town of Ziklag.

English Revised Version
Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some men from Manasseh had deserted [Saul's army] to join David when he went with the Philistines to attack Saul. (However, David didn't help the Philistines because their rulers sent him away after considering the matter. They said, "It will cost us our heads when he deserts and joins his master Saul.")

Good News Translation
Some soldiers from the tribe of Manasseh went over to David's side when he was marching out with the Philistines to fight King Saul. Actually he did not help the Philistines, for their kings were afraid that he would betray them to his former master Saul, so they sent him back to Ziklag.

International Standard Version
Some of the descendants of Manasseh joined David when he was going to fight against Saul, accompanied by the Philistines. Even so, David was of no help to them, because the Philistine rulers were counseled to send him away. They told themselves, "He's going to go over to his master Saul at the cost of our heads."

Majority Standard Bible
Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, ?It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.?)

NET Bible
Some men from Manasseh joined 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.")

New Heart English Bible
Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle; but they did not help them; for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, "He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads."

Webster's Bible Translation
And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

World English Bible
Some of Manasseh also joined David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they didn’t help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, “He will desert to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And [some] from Manasseh have defected to David in his coming with the Philistines against Israel to battle—and they did not help them, for by counsel the princes of the Philistines sent him away, saying, “He defects with our heads to his master Saul.”

Young's Literal Translation
And of Manasseh there have fallen unto David in his coming with the Philistines against Israel to battle -- and they helped them not, for by counsel the princes of the Philistines sent him away, saying, 'With our heads he doth fall unto his master Saul.' --

Smith's Literal Translation
And from Manasseh there fell to David in his going with the rovers against Saul to war; and he helped them not, for in counsel the princes of the rovers sent him away, saying, With our heads he will fall to his lord Saul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there were some of Manasses that went over to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to fight: but he did not fight with them: because the lords of the Philistines taking counsel sent him back, saying: With the danger of our heads he will return to his master Saul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moreover, some from Manasseh crossed over to David, when he went forth with the Philistines against Saul, so that he might fight. But he did not fight with them. For the leaders of the Philistines, taking counsel, sent him back, saying, “To the peril of our own heads, he will return to his lord, Saul.”

New American Bible
Men from Manasseh also deserted to David when he came with the Philistines to battle against Saul. However, he did not help the Philistines, for their lords took counsel and sent him home, saying, “At the cost of our heads he will desert to his master Saul.”

New Revised Standard Version
Some of the Manassites deserted to David when he came with the Philistines for the battle against Saul. (Yet he did not help them, for the rulers of the Philistines took counsel and sent him away, saying, “He will desert to his master Saul at the cost of our heads.”)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And some of the men of the tribe of Manasseh went over to David when he went to war with the Philistines against Saul to battle; but they would not go with Saul to war to help him, because they hated him, for they had gone and made a secret treaty with the princes of the Philistines, saying, Let us go first and fall on Saul our master;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And from the tribe of the house Manassheh they went with David when he was going to make war with the Philistines, and they were not willing to go to battle with Shaul to help Shaul, because they hated him. Because of a plot they went, and they counseled with the Princes of the Philistines and they were saying to them: “We shall go first and we shall fall on Shaul our Lord when he goes to Tsnaqlag, and we will encamp against him and we shall capture him alive!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they helped them not; for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying: 'He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And some came to David from Manasse, when the Philistines came against Saul to war: and he helped them not, because the captains of the Philistines took counsel, saying, With the heads of those men will he return to his master Saul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Mighty Men Join David at Ziklag
18Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops. 19Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”) 20When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 29:2-11
As the Philistine leaders marched out with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish. / Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.” / But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? ...

1 Samuel 27:1-12
David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.” / So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. / David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. ...

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

2 Samuel 2:8-11
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel. / Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. ...

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Samuel 3:17-18
Now Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “In the past you sought David as your king. / Now take action, because the LORD has said to David, ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’”

2 Samuel 5:17-25
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ...

1 Chronicles 11:1-3
Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

1 Chronicles 11:10-47
Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. / This is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the officers; he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. ...

1 Chronicles 12:1-18
Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): / Ahiezer their chief and Joash, who were the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite; ...

1 Chronicles 12:20-22
When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh. / They helped David against the raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and commanders in the army. / For at that time men came to David day after day to help him, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

1 Chronicles 12:38-40
All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king. / They spent three days there eating and drinking with David, for their relatives had provided for them. / And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.

1 Chronicles 10:1-14
Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him. ...

1 Chronicles 11:4-9
Then David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus), where the Jebusites inhabited the land. / The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). / Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief. ...

Matthew 22:41-46
While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them: / “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” “David’s,” they answered. / Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says: ...


Treasury of Scripture

And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines on advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

when he came

1 Samuel 29:2-4
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish…

Jump to Previous
Battle Consultation David Defected Fall Fell Heads Help Helped Jeopardy Lords Manasseh Master Philistines Saul
Jump to Next
Battle Consultation David Defected Fall Fell Heads Help Helped Jeopardy Lords Manasseh Master Philistines Saul
1 Chronicles 12
1. The companies that came to David at Ziklag
23. The armies that came to him at Hebron














Some from Manasseh defected to David
The tribe of Manasseh, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, was known for its valor and strength. The Hebrew root for "defected" is "נָפַל" (naphal), meaning to fall or to desert. This act of defection signifies a pivotal moment of loyalty and courage, as these men chose to align themselves with David, God's anointed, rather than King Saul. Historically, this reflects the growing support for David as a legitimate leader, even among those who were initially aligned with Saul.

when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul
David's alliance with the Philistines, Israel's traditional enemies, is a complex and strategic move. The Philistines were a dominant force in the region, and David's association with them was a tactical decision during his fugitive years. This phrase highlights the tension and precariousness of David's position, as he navigated his survival while maintaining his integrity and ultimate loyalty to Israel.

(But they did not help the Philistines
The phrase underscores the providential intervention in David's life. The men of Manasseh, though initially appearing to support the Philistines, ultimately did not assist them. This reflects God's sovereignty and protection over David, ensuring that his path to kingship remained untainted by alliances with Israel's enemies.

because after consultation their rulers sent him away
The "consultation" indicates a deliberative process among the Philistine rulers, who were wary of David's potential loyalty to Saul. The Hebrew word for "consultation" is "עֵצָה" (etsah), meaning counsel or advice. This decision to send David away was divinely orchestrated, preventing him from fighting against his own people and preserving his future as king.

saying, 'It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.'
This phrase reveals the fear and political calculations of the Philistine rulers. The expression "cost us our heads" is a vivid depiction of the stakes involved, emphasizing the life-and-death nature of their decision. The Philistines recognized David's deep-rooted loyalty to Israel, despite his temporary refuge among them. This acknowledgment of David's character foreshadows his eventual rise to power and the fulfillment of God's promise to him.

(19-22) The seven Manassite chieftains who went over to David on the eve of Saul's last battle.

(19) There fell.--The regular term for desertion of one cause for another (2Kings 25:11).

When he came with the Philistines.--(Comp. 1Samuel 29:2-11.) This verse is a summary of the narrative of 1Samuel 29:2 to 1Samuel 30:1.

They helped them not.--David and his men helped not the Philistines. Perhaps the right reading is he helped them ('azar?m), not they helped them ('azar-m). . . .

Verse 19. - And there fell... of Manasseh to David. Of this use of נָפַל עלאּ there are many other examples (2 Chronicles 15:9; Jeremiah 37:14; Jeremiah 39:9). The phrase does not correspond with our own idiom of "falling to" one's lot, but with that of" falling away" from the service or love of one to another, i.e. deserting. The occasion here spoken of is described in full in 1 Samuel 29:2-11.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Some
נָפְל֣וּ (nā·p̄ə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

from Manasseh
וּמִֽמְּנַשֶּׁ֞ה (ū·mim·mə·naš·šeh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4519: Manasseh -- 'causing to forget', a son of Joseph, also a king of Judah, also two Israelites

defected
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

to
שָׁא֛וּל (šā·’ūl)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

David
דָּוִ֗יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

when he went
בְּבֹא֨וֹ (bə·ḇō·’ōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

the Philistines
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֧ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

to fight
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

against Saul.
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

(They did not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 5826: To surround, protect, aid

help the Philistines
עֲזָרֻ֑ם (‘ă·zā·rum)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's Hebrew

the Philistine
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

rulers
סַרְנֵ֤י (sar·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5633: An axle, a peer

consulted
בְעֵצָ֗ה (ḇə·‘ê·ṣāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

and sent David away,
שִׁלְּחֻ֜הוּ (šil·lə·ḥu·hū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“It will cost us our heads
בְּרָאשֵׁ֕ינוּ (bə·rā·šê·nū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 7218: The head

if he defects
יִפּ֖וֹל (yip·pō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

his master
אֲדֹנָ֥יו (’ă·ḏō·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

Saul.?)
שָׁאֽוּל׃ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites


Links
1 Chronicles 12:19 NIV
1 Chronicles 12:19 NLT
1 Chronicles 12:19 ESV
1 Chronicles 12:19 NASB
1 Chronicles 12:19 KJV

1 Chronicles 12:19 BibleApps.com
1 Chronicles 12:19 Biblia Paralela
1 Chronicles 12:19 Chinese Bible
1 Chronicles 12:19 French Bible
1 Chronicles 12:19 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Chronicles 12:19 Of Manasseh also there fell away some (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 12:18
Top of Page
Top of Page