The ten men would all draw from the bag, and the man who drew the white pebble would be the one who was to remove to Jerusalem.

By this means the capital would be provided with about 20,000 inhabitants, and would be in a condition to defend itself from attack.
No doubt there was much grumbling, and there were many groans and complaints when the lots were drawn, and those who drew the white stone found they must give up their little farms, their pretty country houses, the homes they had learnt to love so well and which they had built for themselves and their children, the vineyards which their own hands had planted, the olive yards and fig groves of which they had been so proud, and which had been so profitable to them, that they must give up all these which had been so dear to them and move at once into the city in which they would be in constant danger.
But there were certain brave volunteers.

Besides those on whom the lot fell, a certain number came forward and offered to go of their own free will and choice to live in the capital.

They would break up their country homes, and for love of their country and love of Jerusalem would move into the Holy City.

The post of danger was the post which most needed them, and they were not afraid to go to it.