Absalom had made Amasa the new captain of the army. Amasa took Joab’s place. [102] Amasa was the son of Ithra the Ishmaelite. [103] Amasa’s mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash sister of Zeruiah. [104] (Zeruiah was Joab’s mother.)
Even when Saul was our king, you were the one who led us into battle. And you were the one who brought Israel back home from war. And the Lord himself said to you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people, the Israelites. You will be the ruler over Israel.’”
Solomon did not force any Israelites to be his slaves. The people of Israel were soldiers, government officials, officers, captains, and chariot commanders and drivers.
After Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab. Jehonadab was on his way to meet Jehu. Jehu greeted Jehonadab and said to him, “Are you a faithful friend to me, as I am to you? [123] ”
The man that took care of Ahab’s house, the man that controlled the city, the elders, and the people who raised {Ahab’s children} sent a message to Jehu. “We are your servants. We will do anything you tell us. We will not make any man king. Do what you think is good.”
David went out to meet them. David said to them, “If you have come in peace to help me, I welcome you. Join me. But if you have come to spy on me when I have done nothing wrong, then may the God of our ancestors see what you did and punish you.”
\{The Lord prepared for battle\}.\par The Lord put on\par the armor of goodness,\par the helmet of salvation,\par the clothes of punishment,\par the coat of strong love. {\cf2\super [448]} \par
The Lord All Powerful says, “At that time, many foreigners speaking different languages will come to a Jewish person, take hold of the hem of his robe and ask, ‘We heard that God is with you. Can we come with you to worship him?’”
The Spirit of the Lord came on Othniel and he became a judge for the people of Israel. Othniel led the people of Israel to war. The Lord helped Othniel defeat Cushan Rishathaim, the king of Aram.
But Ruth said, “Don’t force me to leave you! Don’t force me to go back to my own people. Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you sleep, I will sleep. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God.
Samuel did what the Lord told him to do. Samuel went to Bethlehem. The elders (leaders) of Bethlehem shook with fear. They met Samuel and asked, “Do you come in peace?”
Samuel answered, “Yes, I come in peace. I come to make a sacrifice [144] to the Lord. Prepare yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Samuel prepared Jesse and his sons. Then Samuel invited them to come and share the sacrifice.
Saul said to his officers that were standing around him, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Do you think the son of Jesse (David) will give you fields and vineyards? Do you think David will promote you and make you officers over 1,000 men and officers over 100 men?
“A king will force your sons to become soldiers. That king will choose which of your sons will be officers over 1,000 men and which will be officers over 50 men.