He should be the sole captain, the sole authority, the single commander of them all.

He would not have an unwieldy army, but one perfectly devoted.

He would lead by his own genius, attract and command by his own personality.

With six hundred absolutely subject to his will, trained in endurance and steadfastness, he could achieve more surely than with an undisciplined horde which first of all must be fed.
Throughout those days of predatory warfare he made careful selection of material for his army.

As yet, while famine had not reduced Jerusalem to a skeleton, he could select for bodily strength and mental balance.