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 upheavals of the time.

Family Background and Lineage

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 (2 Samuel 17:25). This makes Amasa a nephew of King David, as Abigail was David's sister. His mixed heritage, being part Israelite and part Ishmaelite, is noted in the biblical text, which may have influenced his standing and relationships within the Israelite community.

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 (2 Samuel 17:25). This appointment was likely strategic, as Amasa's familial connections could have been seen as a way to legitimize Absalom's claim and rally support from those disaffected with David's rule.

Reconciliation and Appointment by David

After Absalom's defeat and death, King David sought to unify the kingdom and heal the divisions caused by the rebellion. In a gesture of reconciliation, David offered Amasa the position of commander over his own army, effectively replacing Joab (2 Samuel 19:13). This decision was politically astute, as it aimed to win over those who had supported Absalom and to diminish Joab's growing power and influence, which had become a concern for David.

Amasa's Death

Despite David's intentions, Amasa's tenure as commander was short-lived. During the subsequent revolt led by Sheba, a Benjamite, David ordered Amasa to muster the men of Judah to quell the insurrection (2 Samuel 20:4). Amasa's delay in executing this order provided Joab with an opportunity to reassert his dominance. Joab, under the guise of a friendly greeting, treacherously killed Amasa by striking him with a sword (2 Samuel 20:9-10). This act of violence was characteristic of Joab's ruthless nature and his determination to maintain his position as the chief military leader.

Legacy and Significance

Amasa's account is a poignant reminder of the complex and often brutal nature of political power struggles in ancient Israel. His life and death illustrate the challenges of leadership, loyalty, and the consequences of familial and political alliances. Amasa's narrative also highlights the themes of reconciliation and betrayal, as well as the intricate dynamics within David's court. His tragic end serves as a testament to the volatile nature of the times and the personal costs of political ambition and rivalry.Amasa

sparing the people

Amasa

(a burden).

1. Son of Ithra, or Jether, by Abigail, David's sister. (2 Samuel 17:25) He joined in Absalom's rebellion, B.C. 1023, was appointed commander-in-chief and suffered defeat by Joab. (2 Samuel 18:6) David, incensed against Joab for killing Absalom, forgave Amasa and appointed him Joab's successor. (2 Samuel 19:13) Joab afterwards, when they were both in pursuit of the rebel Sheba, pretending to salute Amasa stabbed him with his sword. (2 Samuel 20:10)
2. A prince of Ephraim, son of Hadlai, in the reign of Ahaz. (2 Chronicles 28:12)

Amasa

1. David's nephew, the son of Abigail, David's sister, and Jether an Ishmaelite. His percentage may have led David to show him less favor than his other nephews, and this may have disposed him to join in the rebellion of Absalom. He was the general of Absalom's army, and was defeated by his cousin Joab, 2 Samuel 17:1-18:33. David afterwards offered him a pardon and the command of his troops in the place of Joab, whose overbearing conduct he could no longer endure, 2 Samuel 19:13. But in the confusion of Sheba's rebellion, Amasa was treacherously murdered by his powerful rival, 2 Samuel 20:4-10. B. C. 1022.

2. A chief of Ephraim, who opposed retaining as bondsmen the men of Judah taken captive in a war with Pekah king of Israel, 2 Chronicles 28:12.

Burden.

(1.) The son of Abigail, a sister of king David (1 Chronicles 2:17; 2 Samuel 17:25). He was appointed by David to command the army in room of his cousin Joab (2 Samuel 19:13), who afterwards treacherously put him to death as a dangerous rival (2 Samuel 20:4-12).

(2.) A son of Hadlai, and chief of Ephraim (2 Chronicles 28:12) in the reign of Ahaz.

AMASA

a-ma'-sa (`amasa', or read `ammishai, i.e. `am yishai, "people of Jesse"): The form `amasa', is based upon a mistaken etymology (from = `amac "to burden").

(1) According to 2 Samuel 17:25, Amasa is the son of Abigail, the sister of Zeruiah and David, and Ithra, an Israelite; but another source, 1 Chronicles 2:17, calls his father Jether the Ishmaelite. He was a nephew of David and a cousin of Absalom, who made him commander of the army of rebellion. When the uprising had been quelled, David, in order to conciliate Amasa, promised him the position held by Joab; the latter had fallen from favor (2 Samuel 19:13). When a new revolt broke out under Sheba, the son of Bichri (2 Samuel 20), Amasa was entrusted with the task of assembling the men of Judah. But Joab was eager for revenge upon the man who had obtained the office of command that he coveted. When Amasa met Joab at Gibeon, the latter murdered him while pretending to salute (2 Samuel 20:8-10 1 Kings 2:5).

(2) Son of Hadlai, of the Bene 'Ephrayim ("Children of Ephraim"), who, obeying the words of the prophet Oded, refused to consider as captives the Judeans who had been taken from Ahaz, king of Judah, by the victorious Israelites under the leadership of Pekah (2 Chronicles 28:12).

H. J. Wolf

6021. Amasa -- two Israelites
... 6020, 6021. Amasa. 6022 . two Israelites. Transliteration: Amasa Phonetic Spelling:
(am-aw-saw') Short Definition: Amasa. ... NASB Word Usage Amasa (16). Amasa. ...
/hebrew/6021.htm - 6k

3501. Yithra -- father of Amasa
... 3500, 3501. Yithra. 3502 . father of Amasa. Transliteration: Yithra
Phonetic Spelling: (yith-raw') Short Definition: Ithra. Word ...
/hebrew/3501.htm - 6k

6022. Amasay -- the name of several Israelites
... Definition: Amasai. Word Origin from the same as Amasa Definition the name
of several Isr. NASB Word Usage Amasai (5). Amasai. From ...
/hebrew/6022.htm - 6k

6023. Amashsay -- an Israelite priest
... Definition: Amashsai. Word Origin probably from the same as Amasa Definition
an Isr. priest NASB Word Usage Amashsai (1). Amashai. Probably ...
/hebrew/6023.htm - 6k

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... His Kingdom, Was Reconciled To Shimei, And To Ziba; And Showed A Great Affection
To Barzillai; And How, Upon The Rise Of A Sedition, He Made Amasa Captain Of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

Index to Preachers and Sermons
... By Roswell Dwight Hitchcock Atonement, The Prominence of the. By Edwards Amasa
Park Augustine, St., The Recovery of Sight by the Blind ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/index to preachers and sermons.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... His Kingdom, Was Reconciled To Shimei, And To Ziba; And Showed A Great Affection
To Barzillai; And How, Upon The Rise Of A Sedition, He Made Amasa Captain Of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So ...
... form of the evil one, who, our Lord tells us, was both "liar and murderer from the
beginning." And many thousand professing Christians are like Amasa of old ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter i perhaps there is.htm

The Horns of the Altar
... than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit,
Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa, the son of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the horns of the altar.htm

Letter J
... 1836 * Jocelin, Augustus "Received 1797, Located 1804 * John, Allen "Received 1833 *
Johnson, Alvira "Received 1835 * Johnson, Amasa "Received 1832 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter j.htm

Letter T
... Tarter, Hiram "Received 1837 * Tatum, Isham "Received 1776, Located 1781 * Taylor,
Albion C. "Received 1827, Located 1829 * Taylor, Amasa "Received 1809 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter t.htm

The History of Solomon
... First on Joab that had been prince of his father's host, because he slew two good
men by treason and guile, that was Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of solomon.htm

How, when Absalom was Beaten, He was Caught in a Tree by his Hair ...
... He appointed Amasa to be captain of all his host, instead of Joab his kinsman: his
father was Ithra and his mother Abigail: now she and Zeruiah, the mother of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how when absalom.htm

What Charge David Gave Tohis Son Solomon at the Approach of his ...
... of Joab, [26] the captain of the host, who hath slain two generals out of envy,
and those righteous and good men, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 what charge david.htm

Amasa (13 Occurrences)
...AMASA. a-ma'-sa (`amasa', or read `ammishai, ie `am yishai, "people of Jesse"):
The form `amasa', is based upon a mistaken etymology (from = `amac "to burden"). ...
/a/amasa.htm - 13k

Amasa's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Amasa's (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 20:11 And one
of Joab's young men, taking his place at Amasa's side, said ...
/a/amasa's.htm - 6k

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. ...
/a/ama'sa.htm - 10k

Jether (8 Occurrences)
... (3.) The father of Amasa, David's general (1 Kings 2:5, 32); called Ithra (2 Samuel
17:25). ... 2 Samuel 17:25 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. ...
/j/jether.htm - 11k

Joab's (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 17:25 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. ... 2 Samuel 20:8 When
they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. ...
/j/joab's.htm - 10k

Ishmaelite (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) See Ismaelian. Multi-Version Concordance Ishmaelite (3 Occurrences). 2 Samuel
17:25 And Absalom put Amasa at the head of the army in place of Joab. ...
/i/ishmaelite.htm - 7k

Ish'maelite (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ish'maelite (3 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 17:25 And
Absalom put Amasa at the head of the army in place of Joab. ...
/i/ish'maelite.htm - 7k

Abigail (18 Occurrences)
... 16, 17). She was the mother of Amasa (2 Samuel 17:25). (2 ... 2 Samuel 17:25 Absalom
set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was ...
/a/abigail.htm - 17k

Jo'ab's (8 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Samuel 17:25 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. ... (See RSV).
2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand. ...
/j/jo'ab's.htm - 8k

Ithra (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ITHRA. ith'-ra (yithra', "abundance"): The father
of Amasa, commanding general in the rebel army of Absalom. ...
/i/ithra.htm - 7k

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