¹⁸ “I commanded you at that time: The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All your fighting men will cross over in battle formation ahead of your brothers the Israelites.

⁵² The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul’s days, so whenever Saul noticed any strong or brave man, he enlisted him.^(A)

¹⁷ Saul told David, “Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I’ll give her to you as a wife,^(A) if you will be a warrior for me and fight the Lord’s battles.”^(B) But Saul was thinking, “My hand doesn’t need to be against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”^(C)

⁷ Therefore, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

²⁸ Now Absalom commanded his young men, “Watch Amnon until he is in a good mood from the wine. When I order you to strike Amnon, then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Am I not the one who has commanded you? Be strong and courageous!”^(A)

¹⁰ Then, even a brave man with the heart of a lion^(A) will melt because all Israel knows that your father and the valiant men with him are warriors.

⁵² Then Solomon said, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground,^(A) but if evil is found in him, he dies.”^(B)

¹⁶ Then the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Since there are 50 strong men here with your servants, please let them go and search for your master. Maybe the Spirit of the Lord has carried him away and put him on one of the mountains or into one of the valleys.”^(A)

He answered, “Don’t send them.”