Dictionaries :: Amasa

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Amasa:

burden. (1.) The son of Abigail, a sister of king David (1Ch 2:17; 2Sa 17:25). He was appointed by David to command the army in room of his cousin Joab (2Sa 19:13), who afterwards treacherously put him to death as a dangerous rival (2Sa 20:4-12).

(2.) A son of Hadlai, and chief of Ephraim (2Ch 28:12) in the reign of Ahaz.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Amasa:

sparing the people

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Amasa:

a-ma'-sa (‘amasa', or read ‘ammishai, i.e. ‘am yishai, "people of Jesse"): The form ‘amasa', is based upon a mistaken etymology (from =‘ amac "to burden").

(1) According to 2Sa 17:25, Amasa is the son of Abigail, the sister of Zeruiah and David, and Ithra, an Israelite; but another source, 1Ch 2:17, calls his father Jether the Ishmaelite. He was a nephew of David and a cousin of Absalom, who made him commander of the army of rebellion. When the uprising had been quelled, David, in order to conciliate Amasa, promised him the position held by Joab; the latter had fallen from favor (2Sa 19:13 ff). When a new revolt broke out under Sheba, the son of Bichri (2Sa 20), Amasa was entrusted with the task of assembling the men of Judah. But Joab was eager for revenge upon the man who had obtained the office of command that he coveted. When Amasa met Joab at Gibeon, the latter murdered him while pretending to salute (2Sa 20:8-10; 1Ki 2:5).

(2) Son of Hadlai, of the Bene ‘Ephrayim ("Children of Ephraim"), who, obeying the words of the prophet Oded, refused to consider as captives the Judeans who had been taken from Ahaz, king of Judah, by the victorious Israelites under the leadership of Pekah (2Ch 28:12).

Written by Horace J. Wolf

Nave's Topical Bible

Amasa: 1. Nephew of David

2Sa 17:25; 1Ch 2:17

Joins Absalom,

2Sa 17:25.

Returns to David, and is made captain of the host,

2Sa 19:13.

Slain,

2Sa 20:8-12; 1Ki 2:5, 32.

Amasa: 2. Son of Hadlai

2Ch 28:12

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Amasa:

(a burden).

(1.) Son of Ithra, or Jether, by Abigail, David's sister (2 Samuel 17:25). He joined in Absalom's rebellion, B.C. 1023, was appointed commander‐in‐chief and suffered defeat by Joab (2 Samuel 18:6). David, incensed against Joab for killing Absalom, forgave Amasa and appointed him Joab's successor (2 Samuel 19:13). Joab afterwards, when they were both in pursuit of the rebel Sheba, pretending to salute Amasa stabbed him with his sword (2 Samuel 20:10).

(2.) A prince of Ephraim, son of Hadlai, in the reign of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:12).