Difference between revisions of "Amasa"

<p> '''1.''' Son (seemingly illegitimate) of [[Jether]] or Ithra, an Ishmaelite, by Abigail, David's sister (&nbsp;2 Samuel 17:25; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 2:15-17). (See [[Absalom]] .) [[Joined]] his rebellion, probably because neglected by David (as appears from his not being mentioned previously) on account of his [[Ishmaelite]] parentage (Zeruiah occurs always without mention of her husband; but [[Abigail]] always with her husband Jether, as though in disparagement). Defeated in the wood of [[Ephraim]] by [[Joab]] (2 Samuel 18). </p> <p> David, to atone for past neglect, pardoned, and even promoted him to command the army in the room of the overbearing Joab. Amasa's slowness in crushing Sheba's rebellion, perhaps owing to the disinclination of the troops to be under his command, obliged David to dispatch [[Abishai]] with the household guards, and Joab accompanied them. [[Amasa]] and his force overtook them at "the great stone of Gibeon." There Joab, while taking with his right hand Amasa's beard to kiss him, with his left stabbed him with his sword (&nbsp;2 Samuel 20:10). </p> <p> '''2.''' AMASAI, leader of a body of men of Judah and Benjamin, to join David in the hold at Ziklag; David's apprehension of treachery on the part of his own tribe was dispelled by Amasa's words under the spirit which "clothed" him: "Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse; peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers, for thy God helpeth thee." (Margin &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:16-18.) &nbsp;1 Chronicles 12:3. A prince of Ephraim, son of Hadlai, who, at the prophet Oded's command from God, opposed the detention of the [[Jews]] taken captive by [[Pekah]] of [[Israel]] from [[Ahaz]] of Judah (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 28:12). </p>

<p> 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, &nbsp;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, &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:13 . But in the confusion of Sheba's rebellion, Amasa was treacherously murdered by his powerful rival, &nbsp;2 Samuel 20:4-10 . [[B. C]]  1022. </p> <p> 2. A chief of Ephraim, who opposed retaining as bondsmen the men of Judah taken captive in a war with Pekah king of Israel, &nbsp;2 Chronicles 28:12 . </p>