2 Samuel 20:12

12 Now 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 stood still.

2 Samuel 20:12 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 20:12

And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway
By which it seems, that though the wound was mortal, and of which he died, that as yet there was life in him, and through the pain he was in, and the pangs of death on him, he rolled himself about in his own blood in the high road, where the fact was committed:

and when the man saw that all the people stood still;
gazing at the shocking sight, and could not be prevailed upon to go on:

he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field;
which was adjoining to it:

and cast a cloth upon him;
that the body might not be seen:

when he saw that everyone that came by him stood still;
and so retarded the people in their march, to prevent which he took the above method, and it was a very prudent one.

2 Samuel 20:12 In-Context

10 And Amasa had taken no notice of the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him with it in the belly and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

11 And one of Joab's young men stood by [Amasa] and said, He that favours Joab, and he that is for David, let him follow Joab.

12 Now 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 stood still.

13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri,

14 who went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth-Maacah, and all the Berim; and they gathered together, and went also after him.