He then sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai of Gath. The king said to the troops, ‘I must also march out with you.’
Now Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite; , Ithra had married Abigail daughter of Nahash. Abigail was a sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.