(13) 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.
This advance of Amasa, a rebel in Absalom's army, over Joab, whose faithfulness in David's service, we meet with nothing to question, seems somewhat extraordinary. Perhaps David, by this time, had learnt that Joab with his own hands, had slain Absalom. Certain it is, faithfulness requires great address to procure favour. But in ministers it is particularly demanded by JESUS. To the angel, or minister of the church of Smyrna, the command is striking. See Revelation 2:8-10.