¹⁹Of 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.
19. when he came with the Philistines] See 1 Samuel xxviii. 1, 2, xxix. 1–11.
but they helped them not] David’s men did not help the Philistines.
upon advisement] “After consideration”; literally “by counsel.” Compare xxi. 12, “advise thyself.”
to the jeopardy of our heads] Rather, at the price of our heads. David became son-in-law to Saul at the price of the lives of two hundred of the Philistines (1 Samuel xviii. 27); their lords here (in Chronicles) express their dread lest David reconcile himself to Saul by some act of treachery and slaughter done against his present Philistine patrons; compare 1 Samuel xxix. 4 (“with” = “at the price of”).
²⁰As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands that were of Manasseh.
20. As he went] i.e. As he returned (1 Samuel xxx. 1).
Jozabad] This name occurs twice; possibly in the original list different patronymics were attached to the two mentions of the name.
captains of thousands] Compare xv. 25; Micah v. 2. Tribes were divided into “thousands” which were subdivided into “hundreds.” These divisions were of civil as well as of military significance.
²¹And they helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.