But when you saw that Nahash, king of the Ammonites, was coming to fight you, you told me, "No, let a king rule over us instead,' even though the LORD your God was your king.

Then ask Amasa, "Aren't you my own flesh and blood? So may God deal with me, no matter how severely, if from this day forward you don't take Joab's place as commander of my army.'

But Elijah replied, "I'm no destroyer of Israel. But you and your ancestor's household have been doing that, because you have abandoned the LORD's commandments and have followed the Baals.

"Would he use his great power to fight me? No, he'll pay attention to me.

May no one extend gracious love to him, or show favor to his fatherless children.

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and trust me and understand that I am the One. Before me no God was formed, nor will there be one after me.

Nebo, Baal-meon (after having changed their names), and Sibmah. The cities that they rebuilt were renamed.

Heshbon and all of its cities that are on the plain, including Dibon, Bamoth-baal, Beth-baal-meon,

and Azaz's son Bela, grandson of Shema, and great-grandson of Joel, who lived in Aroer, near Nebo and Baal-meon.

against Kiriathaim, Beth-gamul, and Beth-meon,

therefore you'd better watch out! I'm going to tear open Moab's flanks, starting with its frontier cities the very glory of the nation! including Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim.