The spirit of the LORD took control of Gideon, and he blew a trumpet to call the men of the clan of Abiezer to follow him.

And the LORD's power began to strengthen him while he was between Zorah and Eshtaol in the Camp of Dan.

He will wear justice like a coat of armor and saving power like a helmet. He will clothe himself with the strong desire to set things right and to punish and avenge the wrongs that people suffer.

His other daughter Abigail married Jether, a descendant of Ishmael, and they had a son named Amasa.

(Absalom had put Amasa in command of the army in the place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether the Ishmaelite; his mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.)

David also told them to say to Amasa, "You are my relative. From now on I am putting you in charge of the army in place of Joab. May God strike me dead if I don't!"

The king said to Amasa, "Call the men of Judah together and be back here with them by the day after tomorrow."

So the king said to Abishai, "Sheba will give us more trouble than Absalom. Take my men and go after him, or else he may occupy some fortified towns and escape from us."

When they reached the large rock at Gibeon, Amasa met them. Joab was dressed for battle, with a sword in its sheath fastened to his belt. As he came forward, the sword fell out.

So the officer in charge of the palace and the official in charge of the city, together with the leading citizens and the guardians, sent this message to Jehu: "We are your servants, and we are ready to do anything you say. But we will not make anyone king; do whatever you think best."

But Ruth answered, "Don't ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

But Ittai answered, "Your Majesty, I swear to you in the LORD's name that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death."

Jehu looked up and shouted, "Who is on my side?" Two or three palace officials looked down at him from a window,

"Anyone who is not for me is really against me; anyone who does not help me gather is really scattering.

As for those who follow this rule in their lives, may peace and mercy be with them---with them and with all of God's people!

May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christians peace and love with faith.

May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.

Please forgive me, sir, for any wrong I have done. The LORD will make you king, and your descendants also, because you are fighting his battles; and you will not do anything evil as long as you live.

If anyone should attack you and try to kill you, the LORD your God will keep you safe, as someone guards a precious treasure. As for your enemies, however, he will throw them away, as someone hurls stones with a sling.

In the past, even when Saul was still our king, you led the people of Israel in battle, and the LORD promised you that you would lead his people and be their ruler."

In those days ten foreigners will come to one Jew and say, 'We want to share in your destiny, because we have heard that God is with you.' "

So he asked the twelve disciples, "And you---would you also like to leave?"

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.

He will make some of them officers in charge of a thousand men, and others in charge of fifty men. Your sons will have to plow his fields, harvest his crops, and make his weapons and the equipment for his chariots.

and he said to his officers, "Listen, men of Benjamin! Do you think that David will give fields and vineyards to all of you, and make you officers in his army?

Solomon did not make slaves of Israelites; they served as his soldiers, officers, commanders, chariot captains, and cavalry.