2 Samuel 20:9 Meaning and Explanation
“And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Joab greets Amasa warmly as a brother and takes hold of his beard as if to kiss him.
What Does 2 Samuel 20:9 Mean?
Joab and Amasa were in fact kinsmen, both nephews of David, and Joab plays on that bond. He asks after Amasa's health and reaches out with his right hand to grasp his beard, the customary gesture of an affectionate greeting and kiss between equals.
The warmth is a mask. The right hand that draws Amasa close is the hand that disarms his guard, while the other moves toward the fallen sword. Here is treachery clothed in the language of kinship, a kiss that conceals a blade. Scripture does not flinch from showing how the sweetest words can hide the cruelest intent, and it calls us to a sincerity that Joab utterly lacked.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 20:9
What does 2 Samuel 20:9 mean?
Joab greets Amasa warmly as a brother and takes hold of his beard as if to kiss him.