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2 Samuel 20:9

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.
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.

KJV

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Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

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.

And Joab said to Amasa, Are you in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.

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

What does 2 Samuel 20:9 mean?

2 Samuel 20:9 is a verse in the book of 2 Samuel, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb), אָמַר (ʼâmar), עֲמָשָׂא (ʻĂmâsâʼ). It connects to 7 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And
JoabיוֹאָבYôwʼâb/yo-awb'/H3097Joab, the name of three Israelites
saidאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
to
Amasa,עֲמָשָׂאʻĂmâsâʼ/am-aw-saw'/H6021Amasa, the name of two Israelites
Art
thou
in
health,שָׁלוֹםshâlôwm/shaw-lome'/H7965safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace
my
brother?אָחʼâch/awkh/H251a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father))
And
JoabיוֹאָבYôwʼâb/yo-awb'/H3097Joab, the name of three Israelites
tookאָחַזʼâchaz/aw-khaz'/H270to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
AmasaעֲמָשָׂאʻĂmâsâʼ/am-aw-saw'/H6021Amasa, the name of two Israelites
by
the
beardזָקָןzâqân/zaw-kawn'/H2206the beard (as indicating age)
with
the
rightיָמִיןyâmîyn/yaw-meen'/H3225the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
handיָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
to
kissנָשַׁקnâshaq/naw-shak'/H5401to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
him.

Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:9

HENRY_FULL · 2 Samuel 20:9
Absalom's name signifies "the peace of his father," yet he proves his greatest trouble; so often are we disappointed in our expectations from the creature. The sword entailed upon David's house had hitherto been among his children, but now it begins to be drawn against himself, with this aggravation, that he may thank himself for it, for, had he done justice upon the murderer, he would have prevented the traitor. The story of Absalom's rebellion begins with this chapter, but we must go over three or four more before we see the end of it. In this chapter we have, I. The arts Absalom used to insinuate himself into the people's affections, ver. 1-6 . II. His open avowal of his pretensions to the crown at Hebron, whither he went under colour of a vow, and the strong party that appeared for him there, ver. 7-12 . III. The notice brought of this to David, and his flight from Jerusalem thereupon, ver. 13-18 . In his flight we are told, 1. What passed between him and Ittai, ver. 19-22 . 2. The concern of the country for him, ver. 23 . 3. His conference with Zadok, ver. 24-29 . 4. His tears and prayers upon this occasion, ver. 30-31 . 5. Matters concerted by him with Hushai, ver. 32-37 . Now the word of God was fulfilled, that he would "raise up evil against him out of his own house," ch. xii. 11 . Absalom's Ambition. (

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 18:14

And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

Exodus 18:16

When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. one: Heb. a man and his fellow

Exodus 18:26

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

1 Kings 3:16

Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.

Job 24:14

The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.

Proverbs 4:16

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

Matthew 27:1

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 2 Samuel 20:9.

Genesis 25:26

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

Genesis 26:31

And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.

Genesis 37:14

And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. see: Heb. see the peace of thy brethren, etc.

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Samuel 20:9 say?

2 Samuel 20:9 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is 2 Samuel 20:9 in the Old or New Testament?

2 Samuel 20:9 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Samuel.

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As you read 2 Samuel 20:9, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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