2 Samuel 20:6-16

6 And David said to ¹Abishai, "Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom; ²take your lord's servants and pursue him, so that he does not find for himself fortified cities and escape from our sight."

7 So Joab's men went out after him, ³along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

8 When they were at the large stone which is in ⁴Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was dressed * in his military attire *, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened at his waist; and as he went forward, it fell out.

9 Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And ⁵Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

Amasa Murdered

10 But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab's hand so ⁶he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.

11 Now there stood by him one of Joab's young men, and said, "Whoever * favors Joab and whoever * is for David, ⁷let him follow Joab."

12 But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.

Revolt Put Down

13 As soon as he was removed from the highway, all the men passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

14 Now he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, even Beth-maacah, and all the Berites; and they were gathered together and also went after him.

15 They came and besieged * him in ⁸Abel Beth-maacah, and ⁹they cast up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood by the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall.

16 Then ¹⁰a wise woman called from the city, "Hear, hear! Please tell Joab, 'Come here * that I may speak with you.' "

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2 Samuel 20:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 20

This chapter gives an account of a new rebellion raised by Sheba, 2Sa 20:1,2; of David's shutting up his concubines unto the day of their death, whom Absalom had lain with, 2Sa 20:3; of Amasa being ordered to assemble the men of Judah to crush the rebellion, but being dilatory, Abishai is sent out with David's servants, and was followed by Joab with the men under him, 2Sa 20:4-7; and of the murder of Amasa by Joab, 2Sa 20:8-13; and of Sheba being shut up in the city Abel, 2Sa 20:14,15; whose head, by the means of a wise woman, was delivered to Joab, and so an end was put to the rebellion, 2Sa 20:16-22; and, lastly, of the chief officers in David's camp and court, 2Sa 20:23-26.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 10

1. 2 Samuel 21:17
2. 2 Samuel 11:11; 1 Kings 1:33
3. 2 Samuel 8:18; 1 Kings 1:38
4. 2 Samuel 2:13; 2 Samuel 3:30
5. Matthew 26:49
6. 2 Samuel 2:23; 2 Samuel 3:27; 1 Kings 2:5
7. 2 Samuel 20:13
8. 1 Kings 15:20; 2 Kings 15:29
9. 2 Kings 19:32; Ezekiel 4:2
10. 2 Samuel 14:2

Footnotes 4

[a]. Lit "before"
[b]. Lit "girded with military garment as clothing"
[c]. Lit "caused to turn"
[d]. Lit "poured out"