¹³ And say to Amasa,^(A) ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood?^(B) May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,^(C) if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.^(D)’”

David’s Officials

²³ Joab^(A) was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites;

⁶ David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab^(A) son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.