Who is Amasa in this passage and why is he in the road?

Amasa is a military leader who had once led the rebel army against David but was later forgiven and put in charge of David’s forces in place of Joab. In this scene he has come out to meet the troops who are going after Sheba, another rebel. Joab pretends to greet him as a friend but then suddenly stabs him in the body with a single blow. Amasa falls in the middle of the road, badly wounded and bleeding there in front of everyone who is marching by.

What does it mean that Joab struck Amasa in the fifth rib?

The words about the fifth rib point to a deep blow to Amasa’s side, close to the heart and inner organs. Joab had the sword in his hand while he embraced Amasa, so Amasa did not guard himself. With one strong thrust Joab cut him so badly that his bowels came out, and there was no need to strike him again. This detail shows the sudden and deadly nature of the attack and why Amasa died on the spot.

Why did Joab kill Amasa even though David had promoted Amasa?

The story shows Joab acting from envy and anger. David had removed Joab from command and given Amasa the lead over the army. Rather than accept this, Joab plotted to get rid of his rival. He greeted Amasa as “brother” and acted friendly, then used that moment to strike him. In doing this, Joab was not only taking revenge on Amasa, but also pushing aside David’s choice and forcing himself back into the place of general over the troops.

Why is one of Joab’s men shouting about favouring Joab and being for David?

After Joab kills Amasa, the soldiers might be unsure whom to follow. One of Joab’s men stands by the body and calls out that anyone who supports Joab and is for David should go after Joab. He ties loyalty to Joab with loyalty to David, as if they are the same cause. This call is meant to keep the army moving, stop questions about Amasa’s death, and make sure the pursuit of Sheba continues under Joab’s command.

Why was Amasa moved off the highway and covered with a cloth?

Amasa lay in the middle of the road, rolling in his own blood. As people came by, they stopped and stared at the shocking sight, and the march slowed down. One of Joab’s men saw that this was holding everyone up. So he dragged Amasa’s body off the road into a nearby field and threw a cloth over him. This hid the dead man from view and cleared the way so the soldiers would stop lingering and would keep going after Sheba.

What does this passage show about Joab’s character and actions?

This passage shows Joab as a skilled soldier but also as a hard and ruthless man. He plans the killing, hides his intent behind a friendly greeting, and is not afraid to do it in front of the troops. He kills Amasa with one blow, takes back command without asking the king, and has his man urge the soldiers to follow him. He is ready to risk unity in the army and to ignore David’s choice in order to keep his own power.

How does this bloody scene fit into the larger story of David’s reign?

This scene comes after one rebellion has ended and another has begun. David is trying to show mercy and restore order by giving Amasa a place of honour. Joab’s murder of Amasa cuts across that plan and brings more blood into David’s rule. It reminds the reader that David’s kingdom, though chosen by God, still has sin, pride, and violent acts among its leaders. It also shows how past sins and unchecked men like Joab can bring fresh trouble to David’s house.

2Sam.20.10

2 Samuel 20:10

KJV

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.

Amasa Murdered

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.

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.

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.

Cross References

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