2 Samuel 20:10 Meaning and Explanation
“But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Trusting the greeting, Amasa fails to notice the sword, and Joab kills him with a single blow, then resumes the pursuit.
What Does 2 Samuel 20:10 Mean?
Disarmed by the show of affection, Amasa never sees the weapon. Joab strikes him once in the belly, a mortal blow needing no second, and his rival commander dies in the road. Then Joab and Abishai press on after Sheba as though nothing has happened, the murder folded into the day's work.
This is the second commander Joab has cut down to protect his own place, having earlier killed Abner the same way. His brutal efficiency removed every man who stood between him and power. The cold finality of it warns us that unchecked ambition, when it serves itself rather than God, will spill innocent blood and call it necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 20:10
What does 2 Samuel 20:10 mean?
Trusting the greeting, Amasa fails to notice the sword, and Joab kills him with a single blow, then resumes the pursuit.