⁷ So Joab’s men went after him, along with [David’s bodyguards] the Cherethites and Pelethites and all the warriors; they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. ⁸ When they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing his military uniform, and over it he had a belt with a sheathed sword strapped around his hips; and as he went forward, ^[a]it fell out. ⁹ Joab said to Amasa, “Is it going well with you, my ^[b]brother?” And with his right hand Joab took hold of Amasa by the beard [as if] to kiss him [in greeting].