amasa Summary and Overview

burden. (1.) The son of Abigail, a sister of king David (1 Chr. 2:17; 2 Sam. 17:25). He was appointed by David to command the army in room of his cousin Joab (2 Sam. 19:13), who afterwards treacherously put him to death as a dangerous rival (2 Sam. 20:4-12). (2.) A son of Hadlai, and chief of Ephraim (2 Chr. 28:12) in the reign of Ahaz.

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

AM'ASA (a burden). 1. A son of Jether (or Ithra) and Abigail, and nephew of David. He joined in Absalom's rebellion, and was appointed his commander-in-chief. 2 Sam 17:25. Being defeated by Joab, and Absalom being killed, he submitted to David, and was made captain of the host in room of Joab, his cousin, whose part in the death of Absalom and general lack of respect brought him into disfavor. When Sheba revolted David sent Amasa to assemble the people within three days, but his tardiness, owing, perhaps, to his unpopularity, obliged David to despatch his household troops under Abishai in pursuit of the rebel. Joab joined his brother, and meeting Amasa on the latter's return, under pretence of saluting him killed him and put himself again in supreme command. 2 Sam 20:10. See Joab. 1. A prince of Ephraim, son of Hadlai, in the reign of Ahaz. 2 Chr 28:12.

1. Son (seemingly illegitimate) of Jether or Ithra, an Ishmaelite, by Abigail, David's sister (2 Samuel 17:25; 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). 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 (2 Samuel 20:10). 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 1 Chronicles 12:16-18.) 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 (2 Chronicles 28:12).