And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
And tell Amasa, 'Aren't you my own family, my own blood relative? May God punish me severely if I don't make you the permanent commander of my army in place of Joab.'
David is promising his nephew Amasa that he will replace Joab as the permanent commander of his army, swearing a strong oath to show he means it.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of 2 Samuel, King David is returning to Jerusalem after the defeat of his son Absalom's rebellion, seeking to reunite the kingdom and secure loyalty from key figures. He addresses Amasa, who had commanded Absalom's forces, by appealing to their shared kinship and offering him Joab's position as army commander to promote reconciliation and stability. This was a calculated political gesture in a time of civil strife, highlighting David's efforts to heal divisions within Israel.
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