Amasa עֲמָשָׂא
Military commander, son of Abigail (David's sister), killed by Joab
Who is Amasa in the Bible?
Amasa was a military commander and the son of Jether and Abigail, who was the sister of King David (2 Samuel 17:25; 1 Chronicles 2:17). During Absalom's rebellion against David, Amasa served as commander of Absalom's army, but after Absalom's defeat, David appointed him to replace Joab as commander of his own forces in an effort at reconciliation (2 Samuel 19:13). When David later ordered Amasa to assemble the men of Judah to counter a revolt led by Sheba, Amasa delayed in completing the task, prompting David to send Abishai and Joab instead (2 Samuel 20:4-7). Joab, Amasa's cousin and the former military commander, killed Amasa by treachery, stabbing him while pretending to greet him (2 Samuel 20:8-10). Amasa's death illustrates the dangers of political instability in David's reign and Joab's ruthless determination to maintain his power.
Biography
Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite, and Abigail, the sister of King David. He was a cousin of Joab, David's military commander. (2Sa.17.25; 1Ch.2.17)
During Absalom's rebellion against David, Amasa was appointed as the commander of Absalom's army. (2Sa.17.25) After Absalom's defeat and death, David sought to reconcile with the rebellious factions and offered Amasa the position of commander over his army, replacing Joab. (2Sa.19.13).
However, when David ordered Amasa to assemble the men of Judah to counter a revolt led by Sheba, Amasa took longer than the allotted time. David then dispatched Abishai to pursue Sheba, with Joab and his men following. (2Sa.20.4-7)
When Amasa caught up with them, Joab approached him as if to greet him, but instead killed him with a sword. Joab then continued the pursuit of Sheba. (2Sa.20.8-13)
Joab's murder of Amasa was likely motivated by jealousy and a desire to maintain his position as David's military commander. David, however, saw this act as a betrayal and later instructed his son Solomon to bring judgment upon Joab for the deaths of Amasa and Abner. (1Ki.2.5-6)
The story of Amasa highlights the complex relationships and power struggles within David's family and his kingdom. It also demonstrates the consequences of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for power in the royal court.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books2 Samuel 5 verses
- 2 Samuel 17:25
"Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab."
- 2 Samuel 19:13
"And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”"
- 2 Samuel 20:4
"Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.”"
- 2 Samuel 20:5
"So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the time allotted him."
- 2 Samuel 20:8
"And while they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa joined them. Now Joab was dressed in military attire, with a dagger strapped to his belt. And as he stepped forward, he slipped the dagger from its sheath."
1 Kings 2 verses
- 1 Kings 2:5
"Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the..."
- 1 Kings 2:32
"The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s..."
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 2:17
"Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עֲמָשָׂא |