²² But the Israelites encouraged each other and took their positions again at the same place they had fought the previous day.

²⁵ “Well, tell Joab not to be discouraged,” David said. “The sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow! Fight harder next time, and conquer the city!”

⁶ David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

¹⁷ Israel had 400,000 experienced soldiers armed with swords, not counting Benjamin’s warriors.

¹⁵ In all, 26,000 of their warriors armed with swords arrived in Gibeah to join the 700 elite troops who lived there.