¹¹ King David sent this message to Zadok^(A) and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? ¹² You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ ¹³ And say to Amasa,^(B) ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood?^(C) May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,^(D) if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.^(E)’”