The news came to Yo'av; for Yo'av had turned after Adoniyahu, though he didn't turn after Avshalom. Yo'av fled to the Tent of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
Avshalom set `Amasa over the army instead of Yo'av. Now `Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Yitra the Yisra'eli, who went in to Avigayil the daughter of Nachash, sister to Tzeru'yah, Yo'av's mother.
David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Yo'av, and a third part under the hand of Avishai the son of Tzeru'yah, Yo'av's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides; for the day of their calamity is at hand. The things that are to come on them shall make haste.