7.5.2. Struggles Between the Chief Commanders of the Royal Forces

519 Family Disputes and National Revolts instead of immediately sending his elite units to deal with the revolt before it becomes greater and uncontrollable . Amasa goes southwards, but does not arrive in Jerusalem within the three days allocated to him by the king for coming back with the troops to Jerusalem . We may reconstruct several reasons for Amasa’s delay : ( a ) the southern troops are frustrated and tired after their debacle in Transjordan and the death of Absalom and many others . ( b ) generally speaking, recruiting reservists out of their homes and occupations is a very difficult task, which takes time ( Y . Yadin c ) Amasa intentionally avoids coming back to Jerusalem and ( . ) 1964 reinforcing his troops with the elite units, most of whom are loyal to his rivals, Joab and Abishai . Therefore, instead of leading his troops on the short mountainous road of Hebron, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Amasa makes a long detour avoiding Jerusalem by taking a longer route from the south ...  אל הספר
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