David's nephew who served as army commander under Absalom's rebellion and was later promised the same role by David, replacing Joab. He was a son of Jether and Abigail.
About Amasa
Son of Ithra (Jether) and David’s sister Abigail (2 Samuel 17:25; 1 Chronicles 2:17). He was, therefore, David’s nephew. Amasa was a captain who supported Absalom in his rebellion against his father, David. After David's general Joab killed Absalom, David pardoned Amasa and replaced Joab with him (2 Samuel 19:13). This greatly offended Joab. He awaited his revenge. When given the opportunity, he killed his unsuspecting rival (2 Samuel 20:4–13). David could not punish Joab but instructed his son Solomon to see that Joab was executed for murdering Amasa and another of David’s generals (1 Kings 2:5–6, 28–34).
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Jether, Abigail (Sister of King David)
- Aunt
- Zeruiah
- Uncles 8
- David, Eliab (Son of Jesse), Abinadab (Son of Jesse), Shimeah, Nethanel (1 Chronicles 2:14), Raddai, Ozem, Elihu (1 Chronicles 27:18)
- Cousins 26
- Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah (Son of David), Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua (2 Samuel 5:14), Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg (2 Samuel 5:15), Japhia (2 Samuel 5:15), Elishama (2 Samuel 5:16), Eliada, Eliphelet, Tamar, Elpelet, Nogah, Jerimoth (2 Chronicles 11:18), Abihail (Daughter of Eliab), Jonadab, Abishai, Joab, Asahel
Key References
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.
Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.”
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.
Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.
All Scripture References (11)
2 Samuel (8)
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.
So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants.”
Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.”
So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the time allotted him.
And while they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa joined them. Now Joab was dressed in military attire, with a dagger strapped to his belt. And as he stepped forward, he slipped the dagger from its sheath.
“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.
Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.
But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road, and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there, he dragged the body off the road into a field and threw a garment over it.
1 Kings (2)
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.
1 Chronicles (1)
Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.