2 Samuel 20:8-13

How does Joab take command again?

Berean Standard Bible

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. 9 “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.
11 One of Joab’s young men stood near Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” 12 But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road, and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there, he dragged the body off the road into a field and threw a garment over it. 13 As soon as Amasa’s body was removed from the road, all the men went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

What is the context?

Amasa meets the troops at Gibeon. Joab approaches him with a friendly question and reaches for his beard as if to kiss him. Amasa is not watching the dagger in Joab’s hand. Joab stabs him, killing him with a single blow.

Joab and Abishai continue after Sheba. One of Joab’s men calls on those who support Joab and David to follow. When the soldiers keep stopping at Amasa’s body, he moves it off the road and covers it. The troops then continue behind Joab.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Henry treats the killing as murder driven by personal revenge. Joab’s pursuit of a rebel does not excuse his own violence against the man David appointed.

Wesley also refuses to let the practical result hide the crime. Moving and covering the body allows the army to march on, but does not remove the guilt of shedding Amasa’s blood.

The scene recalls Joab’s earlier killing of Abner in chapter 3: apparent friendliness creates an opening for a deadly attack. Here again, military strength and service to David coexist with conduct the reader has reason to condemn.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

A Living Study And Exchange

This site is a living study effort. Thoughtful feedback is welcome, and future study may lead to clarification, correction, or revision.

Public comments, when enabled, will be reviewed before appearing on the site so discussion remains respectful and relevant. The goal is to grow in understanding, test everything by Scripture, and remain willing to change where the text requires it.