1 Chronicles 12:17
New International Version
David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.”

New Living Translation
David went out to meet them and said, “If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see it and punish you.”

English Standard Version
David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no wrong in my hands, then may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.”

Berean Standard Bible
And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.”

King James Bible
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

New King James Version
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.”

New American Standard Bible
David went out to meet them, and said to them, “If you come peacefully to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.”

NASB 1995
David went out to meet them, and said to them, “If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.”

NASB 1977
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.”

Legacy Standard Bible
David went out before them, and he answered and said to them, “If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no violence in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and reprove.”

Amplified Bible
David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no violence or wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on [what you are doing] and punish [you].”

Christian Standard Bible
David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you, but if you have come to betray me to my enemies even though my hands have done no wrong, may the God of our ancestors look on it and judge.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you, but if you have come to betray me to my enemies even though my hands have done no wrong, may the God of our ancestors look on it and judge.”

American Standard Version
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you; but if ye be come to betray me to mine adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

Contemporary English Version
David met them outside and said, "If you are coming as friends to fight on my side, then stay and join us. But if you try to turn me over to my enemies, the God our ancestors worshiped will punish you, because I have done nothing wrong."

English Revised Version
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David went to meet them. He told them, "If you've come to help me as friends would, then you may join me. But if you've come to betray me to my enemies, even though I haven't committed a crime, may the God of our ancestors see this and judge you."

Good News Translation
David went to meet them and said, "If you are coming as friends to help me, you are welcome here. Join us! But if you intend to betray me to my enemies, even though I have not tried to hurt you, the God of our ancestors will know it and punish you."

International Standard Version
and David went out to meet them. He told them, "If you've come in peace to be of help to me, then you'll have my commitment. But if you've come to betray me to my enemies, even though I'm innocent of wrongdoing, then may the God of our ancestors watch and judge."

Majority Standard Bible
And David went out to meet them, saying, ?If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.?

NET Bible
David went out to meet them and said, "If you come to me in peace and want to help me, then I will make an alliance with you. But if you come to betray me to my enemies when I have not harmed you, may the God of our ancestors take notice and judge!"

New Heart English Bible
David went out to meet them, and answered them, "If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it."

Webster's Bible Translation
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, If ye have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you: but if ye have come to betray me to my enemies, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look on it, and rebuke it.

World English Bible
David went out to meet them, and answered them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers see this and rebuke it.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and David goes out before them, and answers and says to them, “If you have come to me for peace, to help me, I have a heart to unite with you; and if to betray me to my adversaries—without violence in my hands—the God of our fathers sees and reproves.”

Young's Literal Translation
and David goeth out before them, and answereth and saith to them, 'If for peace ye have come in unto me, to help me, I have a heart to unite with you; and if to betray me to mine adversaries -- without violence in my hands -- the God of our fathers doth see and reprove.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will go forth before them, and he will answer and say to them, If for peace ye came to me to help me, the heart will be together with you: and if to deceive me to mine enemy, in not being violence in my hand, the God of our fathers will see and decide.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David went out to meet them, and said: If you are come peaceably to me to help me, let my heart be joined to you: but if you plot against me for my enemies whereas I have no iniquity in my hands, let the God of our fathers see, and judge.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David went out to meet them, and he said: “If you have arrived peacefully, so as to be a help to me, may my heart be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, though I have no iniquity in my hands, may the God of our fathers see and judge.”

New American Bible
David went out to meet them and addressed them in these words: “If you come peacefully, to help me, I am of a mind to have you join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies though my hands have done no wrong, may the God of our ancestors see and punish you.”

New Revised Standard Version
David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in friendship, to help me, then my heart will be knit to you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, though my hands have done no wrong, then may the God of our ancestors see and give judgment.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David went out to meet them and blessed them, and said to them, If you have come peaceably to me to help us, then may the LORD grant you a double portion of that which you have in your heart; but if you have come to betray me and to deliver me to my adversaries, seeing that I have not sinned against you and there is no wrong in my hands, the God of my fathers knows it, and he will rebuke whoever is wrong among us.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David went out to meet them and he blessed them and said to them: “If it is for peace you have come and to help us, LORD JEHOVAH will give to you each double for the thing that is in your heart, and if it is to hinder me you have come, or to betray me to those hating me, because I have not sinned against you, neither is there a bad thing in my hands, for the God of my fathers knows, and he will rebuke him among us who does wrong against his fellow man.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them: 'If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you; but if ye be come to betray me to mine adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and give judgment.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David went out to meet them, and said to them, If ye are come peaceably to me, let my heart be at peace with you: but if ye are come to betray me to my enemies unfaithfully, the God of your fathers look upon it, and reprove it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Mighty Men Join David at Ziklag
16Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. 17And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.” 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.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:4-5
So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?” / “In peace,” he replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

2 Samuel 3:20-21
When Abner and twenty of his men came to David at Hebron, David held a feast for them. / Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once, and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.

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 15:19-22
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. / In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.” / But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!” ...

2 Kings 10:15-16
When he left there, he found Jehonadab son of Rechab, who was coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and asked, “Is your heart as true to mine as my heart is to yours?” “It is!” Jehonadab replied. “If it is,” said Jehu, “give me your hand.” So he gave him his hand, and Jehu helped him into his chariot, / saying, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!” So he had him ride in his chariot.

Judges 11:9-10
But Jephthah asked them, “If you take me back to fight the Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, will I really be your leader?” / And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD is our witness if we do not do as you say.”

1 Samuel 18:12-16
So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul. / Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back, / and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him. ...

1 Samuel 22:2
And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

1 Samuel 25:32-35
Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! / Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. / Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.” ...

2 Samuel 19:9-10
And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

Matthew 10:13-14
If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it, but if it is not, let your peace return to you. / And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Matthew 12:30
He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

Luke 9:50
“Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Luke 10:5-6
Whatever house you enter, begin by saying, ‘Peace to this house.’ / If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.


Treasury of Scripture

And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, If you be come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you: but if you be come to betray me to my enemies, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

to meet them [heb] before them

1 Samuel 16:4
And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

2 Samuel 3:20-25
So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast…

1 Kings 2:13
And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.

heart

1 Samuel 18:1,3
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…

2 Kings 10:15
And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.

Psalm 86:11
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

knit [heb] one

Jeremiah 32:39
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

Acts 4:32
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

wrong.

Genesis 31:42,53
Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight…

1 Samuel 24:11-17
Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it…

1 Samuel 26:23,24
The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed…

rebuke it

Zechariah 3:2
And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

Jude 1:9
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

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1 Chronicles 12
1. The companies that came to David at Ziklag
23. The armies that came to him at Hebron














And David went out to meet them
This phrase highlights David's proactive leadership and courage. The Hebrew root for "went out" (יָצָא, yatsa) implies a deliberate action, suggesting David's willingness to confront potential allies or adversaries directly. Historically, David was in a precarious position, fleeing from King Saul, and his decision to meet these men shows his trust in God's protection and his diplomatic skills.

and said
The act of speaking here is significant. In Hebrew culture, words held power and authority. David's speech is not just a casual conversation but a declaration of intent and discernment. His words are carefully chosen to test the loyalty and intentions of those who approached him.

If you have come to me in peace
The word "peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) in Hebrew encompasses more than the absence of conflict; it implies wholeness, completeness, and harmony. David is seeking assurance that their intentions are genuine and aligned with God's purposes for Israel.

to help me
The Hebrew root for "help" (עָזַר, azar) suggests support and assistance. David is in need of allies who will stand with him in his God-ordained mission. This reflects the biblical principle of community and mutual support among God's people.

my heart will be united with you
The phrase "my heart" (לִבִּי, libbi) in Hebrew often represents the inner self, including emotions, will, and intellect. David is offering a deep, covenantal relationship, indicating that their alliance would be based on mutual trust and shared purpose.

but if you have come to betray me
The word "betray" (רָמָה, ramah) carries the connotation of deceit and treachery. David is aware of the potential for duplicity and is setting a clear boundary. This reflects the biblical theme of discernment and the need for wisdom in relationships.

to my enemies
David's reference to "enemies" (אֹיֵב, oyev) acknowledges the reality of opposition in the life of a believer. Throughout Scripture, God's people face adversaries, both physical and spiritual, and must rely on God's strength and guidance.

though my hands are free from violence
David asserts his innocence and integrity. The phrase "free from violence" (נְקִי, naki) suggests purity and blamelessness. David is confident in his righteous standing before God, which is a recurring theme in the Psalms and his life story.

may the God of our fathers see it and judge you
This invocation of "the God of our fathers" (אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, Elohei Avotenu) connects David's appeal to the covenantal faithfulness of God throughout Israel's history. The call for divine judgment underscores the belief that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, who sees beyond human appearances and discerns the truth of every situation. This reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and righteousness.

(17) And David went out to meet them.--From his fastness or hiding-place in the hill or wood. Literally, before them, i.e., confronted them. (Comp, same phrase, 1Chronicles 14:8.)

And answered and said unto them.--The familiar New Testament phrase, ??? ?????????? ????? ??????. David's speech and the answer of Amasai have all the marks of a genuine survival of antiquity. "If for peace ye have come unto me to help me." For peace, i.e., with friendly intent. (Comp. Psalm 120:7.)

To help me.--Comp, 1Chronicles 12:1, where David's comrades are called "helpers of the war," ????????.

Mine heart shall be knit unto you.--Lite- rally, I shall have (fiet mihi) towards you a heart for union, or at unity: that is, a heart at one with and true to you. (Comp, "one heart," 1Chronicles 12:38, and Psalm 133:1, and terms like unanimis, ???????.) . . .

Verse 17. - The solemn tone of David's language recorded here, and the beautiful pathos and religious appeal of the last two sentences of the verse, bespeak sufferings and disappointments experienced by David heretofore through deception. It is, however, noticeable that there is no direct testimony of anything of this kind, least of all of any flagrant instance of it, on the part of such detachments of friends as had come to him; and that, though they had occasionally been contributed from sources not the most desirable (1 Samuel 22:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And David
וַיֵּצֵ֣א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

went out
דָוִיד֮ (ḏā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to meet them,
לִפְנֵיהֶם֒ (lip̄·nê·hem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

saying,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you have come
בָּאתֶ֤ם (bā·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to me
אֵלַי֙ (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

in peace,
לְשָׁל֞וֹם (lə·šā·lō·wm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

to help me,
לְעָזְרֵ֔נִי (lə·‘ā·zə·rê·nî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5826: To surround, protect, aid

my
לִּ֧י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

heart
לֵבָ֖ב (lê·ḇāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

will be
יִֽהְיֶה־ (yih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

united
לְיָ֑חַד (lə·yā·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-l | Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

with you;
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

but if
וְאִֽם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you have come to betray
לְרַמּוֹתַ֣נִי (lə·ram·mō·w·ṯa·nî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7411: To hurl, to shoot, to delude, betray

me to my enemies
לְצָרַ֗י (lə·ṣā·ray)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

when my hands
בְּכַפַּ֔י (bə·ḵap·pay)
Preposition-b | Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

are free
בְּלֹ֤א (bə·lō)
Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

of violence,
חָמָס֙ (ḥā·mās)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2555: Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain

may the God
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of our fathers
אֲבוֹתֵ֖ינוּ (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1: Father

see
יֵ֛רֶא (yê·re)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

and judge you.?
וְיוֹכַֽח׃ (wə·yō·w·ḵaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 12:17 David went out to meet them (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 12:16
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