Amasa is a biblical figure prominently featured in the Old Testament, specifically within the historical narratives of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. He is a significant character in the turbulent period of King David's reign, known for his role in the political and military dynamics of ancient Israel.

Genealogy and Family Background

Amasa was the son of Jether (also called Ithra), an Ishmaelite, and Abigail, the sister of Zeruiah, who was the mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. This makes Amasa a nephew of King David, as Abigail was David's sister. The familial connections place Amasa in a complex web of kinship and loyalty, which plays a crucial role in his account.

Role in Absalom's Rebellion

Amasa's most notable involvement in the biblical narrative occurs during the rebellion of Absalom, David's son. Absalom, in his bid to usurp the throne from his father, appointed Amasa as the commander of his army, replacing Joab, who was David's loyal military leader. This appointment is recorded in 2 Samuel 17:25: "Now Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Jether the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab."

Amasa's leadership in Absalom's rebellion places him in direct opposition to King David, aligning him with the forces seeking to overthrow the established monarchy. Despite his familial ties to David, Amasa's allegiance to Absalom marks a significant moment of division within the royal family.

Reconciliation and Appointment by David

Following Absalom's defeat and death, David sought to consolidate his kingdom and heal the divisions caused by the rebellion. In a strategic move to unify the nation and perhaps to weaken Joab's influence, David offered Amasa the position of commander over his own army, replacing Joab. This is documented in 2 Samuel 19:13: "And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army from now on in place of Joab!’"

David's decision to appoint Amasa can be seen as an attempt to reconcile with those who had supported Absalom and to bring about national unity. It also reflects David's political acumen in managing the delicate balance of power within his kingdom.

Death at the Hands of Joab

Amasa's tenure as commander, however, was short-lived. During a subsequent rebellion led by Sheba, son of Bichri, David ordered Amasa to muster the men of Judah to quell the uprising. Amasa's delay in executing this command provided Joab with an opportunity to eliminate his rival. In a brutal act of treachery, Joab killed Amasa under the guise of a friendly greeting. This event is recounted in 2 Samuel 20:9-10: "And Joab said to Amasa, 'Are you well, my brother?' Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled his intestines to the ground. He did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead."

Joab's murder of Amasa underscores the ruthless nature of political and military power struggles in ancient Israel. It also highlights Joab's determination to maintain his position as the chief military leader under David, regardless of familial ties or royal decrees.

Legacy and Theological Reflections

Amasa's account is a poignant reminder of the complexities of loyalty, family, and power in the biblical narrative. His life and death illustrate the often-violent nature of political transitions and the personal cost of leadership in a divided kingdom. Amasa's involvement in Absalom's rebellion and his subsequent appointment by David reflect the challenges of reconciliation and the pursuit of unity in the face of deep-seated divisions.

From a theological perspective, Amasa's narrative invites reflection on the themes of forgiveness, justice, and the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men. His account serves as a testament to the intricate interplay of human agency and divine providence in the unfolding history of Israel.Ama'sa (12 Occurrences)

2 Samuel 17:25
And Absalom had set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Jesraelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
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2 Samuel 19:13
And say ye to Amasa: Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.'
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2 Samuel 20:4
Then said the king to Amasa: 'Call me the men of Judah together within three days, and be thou here present.'
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2 Samuel 20:5
So Amasa went to call the men of Judah together; but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
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2 Samuel 20:8
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. And Joab was girded with his apparel of war that he had put on, and thereon was a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
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2 Samuel 20:9
And Joab said to Amasa: 'Is it well with thee, my brother?' And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
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2 Samuel 20:10
But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand; so he smote him therewith in the groin, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
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2 Samuel 20:11
And one of Joab's young men, taking his place at Amasa's side, said, Whoever is for Joab and for David, let him go after Joab!
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1 Kings 2:5
Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did unto me, even what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.
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1 Kings 2:32
And the LORD will return his blood upon his own head, because he fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, and my father David knew it not: Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
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1 Chronicles 2:17
And Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.
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2 Chronicles 28:12
Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Jehohanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,
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Ama'sa (12 Occurrences)
Ama'sa. Amasa, Ama'sa. Amasai . Multi-Version Concordance Ama'sa (12 Occurrences).
2 Samuel 17:25 And Absalom had set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. ...
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Amasai (5 Occurrences)

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Amasa (13 Occurrences)

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