2 Samuel 20:5

He tarried longer. No cause is given for Amasa’s delay in mustering the army. The wily Joab still had a great hold on the people, and he could hardly be expected to do much to expedite the organization of a fighting force that was to be under the command of his rival and successor. Amasa probably did his best, but may have been thwarted on every hand by officers and men who were still loyal to Joab and by the difficulties inherent in the general unrest and division then prevailing.