2 Samuel 20:8-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:4-13

We have here Amasa's fall just as he began to rise. He was nephew to David (2 Sam. 17:25), had been Absalom's general and commander-in-chief of his rebellious army, but, that being routed, he came over into David's interest, upon a promise that he should be general of his forces instead of Joab. Sheba's rebellion gives David an occasion to fulfil his promise sooner than he could wish, but Joab's envy and emulation rendered its fulfillment of ill consequence both to him and David. I. Amasa has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:8

When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon ,.... Which, according to Josephus F18 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 11. sect. 7. , was forty furlongs, or five miles from Jerusalem: what this great stone was, whether an obelisk, or what, is not certain; one of the greatest stones we read of was that which Semiramis cut out of the mountains of Armenia, which was an hundred thirty feet long, and twenty five broad and thick F19 Diodor. Sic. l. 2. p. 100. Vid. ib. p. 53. Herodot. Euterpe,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:9

And Joab said to Amasa ,.... In a friendly manner, with all the air of pleasantry and good humour: art thou in health, my brother ? this looked like a friendly salutation to ask of his health, and wish him it, and a loving appellation to call him brother; though they were near of kin, sisters' children, and so own cousins; thus he addressed him, to cover his design: and Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him : as was usual for the eastern people to do when... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:10

But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand ,.... In his left hand, for with his right hand he took him by the beard; he might see the sword drop out of the scabbard, and Joab take it up, which he supposed he did in order to put it into its sheath again, having no suspicion of his wicked design, and therefore not at all upon his guard to prevent it: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib ; in the same place where Abner smote Asahel, and Joab Abner; See Gill on 2... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 20:8

Joab ' s garment - It appears that this was not a military garment; and that Joab had no arms but a short sword, which he had concealed in his girdle; and this sword, or knife, was so loose in its sheath that it could be easily drawn out. It is thought farther, that Joab, in passing to Amasa, stumbled, (for so some of the versions, and able critics, understand the words it fell out). and that the sword fell down when he stumbled; that he took it up with his left hand as if he had no bad... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 20:10

In the fifth rib - I believe חמש chomesh , which we render here and elsewhere the fifth rib, means any part of the abdominal region. The Septuagint translate it την ψοαν , the groin; the Targum, the right side of the thigh, i.e., (the phrase of the Targumist being interpreted), the privy parts. That it means some part of the abdominal region, is evident from what follows, And shed out his bowels to the ground. It appears from this that, in plain English, he ripped up his belly. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:1-13

The facts are: 1 . Among the men who discuss the question of priority with Judah is a worthless man named Sheba, and he raises the cry of revolt against David, and the men of Israel follow him, while those of Judah cleave to the king. 2 . David enters his house and makes arrangement for the sustenance of his concubines, who henceforth live in virtual widowhood. 3 . David, observing that Amasa was tardy in executing his orders to gather the men of Judah, directs Abishai to go out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:4-13

( GIBEON .) The murder of Amasa. "And Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand" ( 2 Samuel 20:10 ). Amasa (son of Abigail, David's sister, and Jether an Ishmaelite, and first cousin of Joab, 2 Samuel 17:25 ) joined Absalom in his rebellion; and must have been a man of great ability, courage, and influence, from the fact that he was appointed by him "captain of the host instead of Joab," and afterwards promised by David the same post ( 2 Samuel 19:13 ). This promise... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:8

The great stone which is in Gibeon. Gibeon is situated in the mountains of Ephraim, in the tribe of Benjamin, northwest of Jerusalem. The great stone was probably some isolated rock well known in the neighbourhood. Amasa went before them; Hebrew, Amasa came before them; that is, came in view with the levy of men he had raised in Judah. And Joab's garment, etc.; more correctly, and Joab was girded with his military coat as his garment, and over it was the strap of his sword in its sheath,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 20:10

In the fifth fib; in the abdomen (see note on 2 Samuel 2:23 ). He struck him not again. When his sword fell out of its sheath, Joab picked it up with his left hand, which was not the hand for action, and as he could not put it into its place without taking it into his right hand, his continuing to hold it while he took his cousin's beard in his fight hand and kissed him, was too natural to awaken any suspicion. But holding down Amasa's head, he struck him with his left hand so fiercely... read more

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