Day 160 – 2 Samuel 20:4-13
Scripture Review
2 Samuel 20:4-13
Amasa's Fall and Joab's Treachery
"Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present."
(2 Samuel 20:4)
David needs an army quickly because Sheba's rebellion is already moving. Amasa had recently been Absalom's commander. David had promised to make him captain of the host in Joab's place. Amasa is being placed in a high position at a dangerous time, and now he must prove whether he can act quickly and faithfully.
"So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him."
(2 Samuel 20:5)
Amasa goes to gather the men of Judah, but he stayed too long, and failed to return on time. David had given him three days. In a rebellion, three days can be a long time.
"And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us."
(2 Samuel 20:6)
David sees the danger of Sheba doing more harm than Absalom. David understands that Sheba's rebellion could spread fast if it reaches strongholds. David tells Abishai to take the servants and pursue Sheba before he gets to a fortified city, a city with walls and defenses. If Sheba gets into those places, the rebellion becomes harder and more costly to stop.
"And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri."
(2 Samuel 20:7)
Joab's men go out, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. These were loyal troops connected to David's royal guard and military strength. Why does scripture use the phrase "Joab's men" stands out. Even though David is trying to put Amasa forward and sends Abishai, Joab's influence is still deeply rooted in the army. Joab may not have the official title in this moment, but he still has men. Removing a dangerous man from a position does not always remove his influence. If his roots are deep, he may still control loyalty, movement, and fear beneath the surface.
"When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out."
(2 Samuel 20:8)
The army comes to the great stone in Gibeon, and Amasa meets them there. The verse gives careful detail about Joab's clothing and sword. His garment was fastened or tied around him. His sword was fastened around his waist or hip area, in its sheath. Then the sword falls out. That sounds accidental.
"And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him."
(2 Samuel 20:9)
Joab asks, "Are you well, my brother?" In that culture, taking the beard and giving a kiss could be a sign of affection, respect, and brotherly greeting.
"But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri."
(2 Samuel 20:10)
Amasa does not notice the sword in Joab's hand, does not suspect danger, or does not guard himself. He trusts the greeting. Joab "smote" him, in the body, likely the abdomen or chest area. The blow is so violent that Amasa's bowels are shed to the ground. Joab does not need to strike again. Amasa dies from one treacherous blow. Joab was no careless soldier and the sword falling out of its sheath was no accident. This looks like a prepared move, giving him a way to have the sword in his hand without alarming Amasa. Then Joab and Abishai continue after Sheba. Joab has just murdered the man David appointed, and then he goes on with the mission as if nothing has happened.
"And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab."
(2 Samuel 20:11)
To favour Joab means to support him, side with him, or approve of him. Notice how Joab's name is joined with David's cause. The man makes it sound as if following Joab and being for David are the same thing. Joab has just acted against David's will again by murdering David's appointed commander. Yet his man frames loyalty to Joab as loyalty to David.
"And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still."
(2 Samuel 20:12)
Amasa is lying in the highway covered in blood, a terrible sight before the army. The people were shocked when they saw him. This was not just a dead soldier. This was the man David had chosen to command them. Joab's man removes Amasa from the road and casts a cloth over him.
"When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri."
(2 Samuel 20:13)
The mission continues, but the commander has been murdered. Joab regains control by violence, and the urgency of stopping Sheba pushes Amasa's death into the background. The army wants the rebellion to stop, so they follow the man who seems able to stop it. A heart after God must be careful not to excuse wicked methods just because the goal seems necessary.