1. Ahithophel also said to Absalom, “Now, let me choose 12,000 men to chase David tonight.
2. I will catch him while he is tired and weak. I will frighten him, and all his people will run away. But I will kill only King David.
3. Then I will bring all the people back to you. If David is dead, all the people will come back in peace.”
4. This plan seemed good to Absalom and all the leaders of Israel.
25-26. Absalom and the Israelites made their camp in the land of Gilead. Absalom had made Amasa the new captain of the army. He took Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of Ithra the Ishmaelite. His mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Joab’s mother, Zeruiah.
28-29. These three men said, “The people are tired, hungry, and thirsty from the desert.” So they brought many things to David and those with him. They brought beds, bowls, and other kinds of dishes. They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, dried seeds, honey, butter, sheep, and cheese made from cow’s milk.