TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
KJV (with Strong's)
And Amasa H6021 wallowed H1556 in blood H1818 in the midst H8432 of the highway H4546. And when the man H376 saw H7200 that all the people H5971 stood still H5975, he removed H5437 Amasa H6021 out of the highway H4546 into the field H7704, and cast H7993 a cloth H899 upon him, when he saw H7200 that every one that came H935 by him stood still H5975.
Complete Jewish Bible
'Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road; so that as the troops came up, they all halted there. When the man saw that all the people were standing still, he dragged 'Amasa off the road into the field and threw a cloak over him.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
American Standard Version
And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
World English Bible Messianic
Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Amasa wallowed in blood in the mids of the way: and when the man sawe that all the people stood still, he remooued Amasa out of the way into the fielde, and cast a cloth vpon him, because he saw that euery one that came by him, stoode still.
Young's Literal Translation
And Amasa is rolling himself in blood, in the midst of the highway, and the man seeth that all the people have stood still, and he bringeth round Amasa out of the highway to the field, and casteth over him a garment, when he hath seen that every one who hath come by him--hath stood still.
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 8,567 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Samuel 20 verses 4–13
4 ¶ Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
7 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
9 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.
10 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.
11 And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
We have here Amasa's fall just as he began to rise. He was nephew to David (Sa2 17:25), had been Absalom's general and commander-in-chief of his rebellious army, but, that being routed, he came over into David's interest, upon a promise that he should be general of his forces instead of Joab. Sheba's rebellion gives David an occasion to fulfil his promise sooner than he could wish, but Joab's envy and emulation rendered its fulfillment of ill consequence both to him and David.
I. Amasa has a commission to raise forces for the suppressing of Sheba's rebellion, and is ordered to raise them with all possible expedition, Sa2 20:4. It seems, the men of Judah, though forward to attend the king's triumphs, were backward enough to fight his battles; else, when they were all in a body attending him to Jerusalem, they might immediately have pursued Sheba, and have crushed that cockatrice in the egg. But most love a loyalty, as well as a religion, that is cheap and easy. Many boast of their being akin to Christ that yet are very loth to venture for him. Amasa is sent to assemble the men of Judah within three days; but he finds them so backward and unready that he cannot do it within the time appointed (Sa2 20:5), though the promotion of Amasa, who had been their general under Absalom, was very obliging to them, and a proof of the clemency of David's government.
II. Upon Amasa's delay, Abishai, the brother of Joab, is ordered to take the guards and standing forces, and with them to pursue Sheba (Sa2 20:6, Sa2 20:7), for nothing could be of more dangerous consequence than to give him time. David gives these orders to Abishai, because he resolves to mortify Joab, and degrade him, not so much, I doubt, for the blood of Abner, which he had shed basely, as for the blood of Absalom, which he had shed justly and honourably. "Now (says bishop Hall) Joab smarteth for a loyal disobedience. How slippery are the stations of earthly honours and subject to continual mutability! Happy are those who are in favour with him in whom there is no shadow of change." Joab, without orders, though in disgrace, goes along with his brother, knowing he might be serviceable to the public, or perhaps now meditating the removal of his rival.
III. Joab, near Gibeon, meets with Amasa, and barbarously murders him, Sa2 20:8-10. It should seem, the great stone in Gibeon was the place appointed for the general rendezvous. There the rivals met; and Amasa, relying upon his commission, went before, as general both of the new-raised forces which he had got together, and of the veteran troops which Abishai had brought in; but Joab there took an opportunity to kill him with his own hand; and, 1. He did it subtilely, and with contrivance, and not upon a sudden provocation. He girded his coat about him, that it might not hang in his way, and girded his belt upon his coat, that his sword might be the readier to his hand; he also put his sword in a sheath too big for it, that, whenever he pleased, it might, upon a little shake, fall out, as if it fell by accident, and so he might take it into his hand, unsuspected, as if he were going to return it into the scabbard, when he designed to sheath it in the bowels of Amasa. The more there is of plot in a sin the worse it is. 2. He did it treacherously, and under pretence of friendship, that Amasa might not be upon his guard. He called him brother, for they were own cousins, enquired of his welfare (Art thou in health?) and took him by the beard, as one he was free with, to kiss him, while with the drawn sword in his other hand he was aiming at his heart. Was this done like a gentleman, like a soldier, like a general? No, but like a villain, like a base coward. Just thus he slew Abner, and went unpunished for it, which encouraged him to do the like again. 3. He did it impudently, not in a corner, but at the head of his troops, and in their sight, as one that was neither ashamed nor afraid to do it, that was so hardened in blood and murders that he could neither blush nor tremble. 4. He did it at one blow, gave the fatal push with a good-will, as we say, so that he needed not strike him again; with such a strong and steady hand he gave this one stroke that it was fatal. 5. He did it in contempt and defiance of David and the commission he had given to Amasa; for that commission was the only ground of his quarrel with him, so that David was struck at through the side of Amasa, and was, in effect, told to his face that Joab would be general, in spite of him. 6. He did it very unseasonably, when they were going against a common enemy and were concerned to be unanimous. This ill-timed quarrel might have scattered their forces, or engaged them one against another, and so have made them all an easy prey to Sheba. So contentedly could Joab sacrifice the interest both of king and kingdom to his personal revenge.
IV. Joab immediately resumes his general's place, and takes care to lead the army on in pursuit of Sheba, that, if possible, he might prevent any prejudice to the common cause by what he had done. 1. He leaves one of his men to make proclamation to the forces that were coming up that they were still engaged in David's cause, but under Joab's command, Sa2 20:11. He knew what an interest he had in the soldiery, and how many favoured him rather than Amasa, who had been a traitor, was now a turn-coat, and had never been successful; on this he boldly relied, and called them all to follow him. What man of Judah would not be for his old king and his old general? But one would wonder with what face a murderer could pursue a traitor; and how, under such a heavy load of guilt, he had courage to enter upon danger. Surely his conscience was seared with a hot iron. 2. care is taken to remove the dead body out of the way, because at that they made a stand (as Sa2 2:23), and to cover it with a cloth, Sa2 20:12, Sa2 20:13. Wicked men think themselves safe in their wickedness if they can but conceal it from the eye of the world: if it be hidden, it is with them as if it were never done. But the covering of blood with a cloth cannot stop its cry in God's ear for vengeance, or make it the less loud. However, since this was no time to arraign Joab for what he had done, and the common safety called for expedition, it was prudent to remove that which retarded the march of the army; and then they all went on after Joab, while David, who no doubt had notice soon brought him of this tragedy, could not but reflect upon it with regret that he had not formerly done justice upon Joab for the death of Abner, and that he now had exposed Amasa by preferring him. And perhaps his conscience reminded him of his employing Joab in the murder of Uriah, which had helped to harden him in cruelty.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 4–13. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 2 Samuel 20:12 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Second Samuel 20:12 provides a graphic and pivotal depiction of the immediate aftermath of Joab's treacherous assassination of Amasa, King David's newly appointed army commander, amidst Sheba ben Bichri's rebellion. The verse vividly portrays Amasa's body "wallowed in blood" in the public highway, a horrific sight that brought the pursuing Israelite army to a complete standstill. It then details the swift, pragmatic action of an unnamed individual, likely one of Joab's attendants, who recognized the profound disruption caused by the gruesome spectacle and moved the body into a field, covering it with a cloth, thereby enabling the crucial military advance to resume.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message and emotional impact. Graphic Imagery is paramount, particularly in the phrase "wallowed in blood," which creates a visceral, shocking picture of death and degradation. This vivid description forces the reader to confront the brutality and indignity of Amasa's end, eliciting a strong emotional response. The device of Repetition is used effectively with the phrase "stood still," appearing twice. This rhetorical emphasis underscores the profound shock and paralysis that gripped the advancing army, highlighting the immediate and disruptive impact of Amasa's murder on the collective. Furthermore, the scene functions as potent Symbolism: Amasa's body, a physical manifestation of David's fractured authority, Joab's ruthless ambition, and the kingdom's internal strife, literally halts the army's progress. This symbolizes how unaddressed sin, violence, and internal conflict can impede the mission, unity, or spiritual advancement of a community or nation. Finally, there is a subtle Irony in the attendant's pragmatic actions: while Joab's act was one of calculated cruelty and a public display of power, the subsequent attempt to "clean up" the scene by removing and covering the body reveals a practical desire to move past the trauma for the sake of the mission, even if justice for the murder itself remains unaddressed.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This grim account serves as a stark and sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of sin, particularly unchecked ambition, treachery, and violence within a community. It powerfully illustrates how personal vendettas and the ruthless pursuit of power can not only lead to horrific acts but also create profound disruption, hindering collective progress and unity. The public display of Amasa's body, literally bringing an army to a standstill, underscores the theological truth that sin, when unaddressed or unconfessed, creates formidable obstacles that impede spiritual and practical advancement. While the removal of the body was a practical necessity for the army to proceed, it also hints at a human tendency to try and cover up or move past traumatic events without fully confronting the underlying sin or seeking true justice, a pattern that often leads to further brokenness and unresolved issues.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene of Amasa wallowing in blood, bringing an entire army to a halt, offers a powerful, if disturbing, metaphor for the impact of unaddressed sin and conflict in our own lives and communities. Just as the physical obstruction prevented the army from moving forward, unresolved bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness, or hidden sin can create spiritual and emotional blockages, preventing personal growth, hindering healthy relationships, and impeding the collective mission of God's people. This passage calls us to consider what "bloody" or disruptive issues might be lying unaddressed in our own "highways"—the prominent areas of our lives or our communal interactions—causing stagnation. It challenges us to confront sin, both individual and corporate, with honesty and courage, rather than merely attempting to "cover it up" or move past it without true repentance, reconciliation, and the pursuit of justice. It also reminds leaders of their solemn responsibility to address dangerous elements and ensure righteousness and justice within their spheres of influence, lest their communities be paralyzed by internal strife and unholy ambition.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did "the man" remove Amasa's body and cover it?
Answer: "The man," likely one of Joab's attendants or a perceptive soldier, removed Amasa's body and covered it for a purely pragmatic and tactical reason: the gruesome sight was causing the entire army to "stand still." The KJV text explicitly states, "when he saw that every one that came by him stood still." This public display of a brutally murdered commander, left "wallowed in blood" in the midst of a main thoroughfare, was a profound shock and a significant impediment to the army's morale and its urgent pursuit of Sheba ben Bichri. Removing the body from the prominent highway and covering it was a swift, decisive action to eliminate the distraction, allow the troops to regain their composure, and maintain the critical momentum of the military campaign. It was less about reverence for Amasa himself and more about the practical necessity of resuming the mission and preventing further delay or demoralization among the ranks.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Samuel 20:12 portrays the horrific consequences of human sin and violence, particularly the public display of a body wallowing in blood, it paradoxically points to the ultimate solution found in Christ. Amasa's body, left in the highway, was a public spectacle of death and dishonor, a literal stumbling block to human progress and a symbol of sin's paralyzing effect. In stark contrast, the body of Jesus, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, was also a public spectacle, lifted up on a cross. Yet, His blood was not shed in dishonor or as a result of human treachery that leads to stagnation, but as a perfect, atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:22). Unlike the temporary cloth that merely covered Amasa's body, Christ's precious blood truly cleanses and eternally removes the stain of sin, canceling the spiritual debt that stood against us (Colossians 2:14). Where Amasa's death caused paralysis and halted an earthly army, Christ's death on the cross opened up "the way" to eternal life, removing the ultimate spiritual stumbling block of sin and death, allowing humanity to move forward in reconciliation and fellowship with God (John 14:6). The "wallowing in blood" of Amasa underscores the ugliness and destructive power of sin; the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross, though equally gruesome, reveals the profound beauty of divine love and the redemptive power that heals the wounds of a broken world and sets us free from the paralysis of sin's grip (Isaiah 53:5).