But the people, the men of Israel, took courage, and again formed the battle line in the same place where they had formed it on the first day.
They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?”
David said to the messenger, “Thus shall you say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter displease you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.”
And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
And the men of Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered 400,000 men who drew the sword; all these were men of war.
And the people of Benjamin mustered out of their cities on that day 26,000 men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered 700 chosen men.
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