Amasa
maleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Burden; people of Yah”
David’s nephew who commanded Absalom’s rebel army, was pardoned and made David’s commander, then treacherously murdered by Joab.
Biography
Amasa was a nephew of David (his mother Abigail was David's sister) and a cousin of Joab. During Absalom's rebellion, Amasa commanded the rebel army against David (2 Samuel 17:25).
From rebel to commander
After Absalom's defeat, David, seeking to heal the breach with Judah and to curb the ruthless Joab, pardoned Amasa and appointed him commander of his army in Joab's place (2 Samuel 19:13).
Murdered by Joab
When Sheba's revolt broke out, Joab caught up with Amasa and, feigning a greeting — "Art thou in health, my brother?" — stabbed him in the belly so that his entrails spilled out (2 Samuel 20:9–10). It was the third such treacherous killing by Joab, and David charged Solomon to bring him to justice for it (1 Kings 2:5).
Life Timeline
Commands Absalom's army, then is pardoned and made David's commander
Murdered by Joab with a feigned greeting
On the Bible timeline
Amasa belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Themes & lessons from Amasa
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Amasa appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
11 verses in 3 books2 Samuel8 verses
2 Samuel 17:25
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
2 Samuel 19:13
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of 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.
2 Samuel 20:4
Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. Assemble: Heb. Call
2 Samuel 20:5
So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. Assemble: Heb. Call
2 Samuel 20:8
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
2 Samuel 20:9
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
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 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. struck: Heb. doubled not his stroke
2 Samuel 20:12
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.
1 Kings2 verses
1 Kings 2:5
Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and 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. shed: Heb. put
1 Kings 2:32
And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better 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 Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 2:17
And Abigail bare Amasa: and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmeelite.
Frequently asked about Amasa
Who was Amasa in the Bible?
David’s nephew who commanded Absalom’s rebel army, was pardoned and made David’s commander, then treacherously murdered by Joab.
What does the name Amasa mean?
The name Amasa means “Burden; people of Yah”.
What did Amasa do in the Bible?
Amasa served as army commander, of the tribe of Judah.
Where does Amasa appear in the Bible?
Amasa is mentioned 11 times across 3 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Amasa?
The story of Amasa touches on themes of abishai, punishments, treachery, altars — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Amasa's life.
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