2 Samuel 20:8

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.

When they were at the great {H1419} stone {H68} which is in Gibeon {H1391}, Amasa {H6021} went {H935} before {H6440} them. And Joab's {H3097} garment {H4055} that he had put on {H3830} was girded {H2296} unto him, and upon it a girdle {H2289} with a sword {H2719} fastened {H6775} upon his loins {H4975} in the sheath {H8593} thereof; and as he went forth {H3318} it fell out {H5307}.

On arrival at the big rock in Giv'on, 'Amasa came to meet them. Yo'av was wearing his battle clothes, over which he had girded a belt with a sheathed sword; but as he came forward it fell out.

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.

When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. And Joab was girded with his apparel of war that he had put on, and thereon was a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.

Commentary

2 Samuel 20:8 describes a pivotal and deceptive moment in the pursuit of Sheba, the son of Bichri, who led a new rebellion against King David. The verse sets the scene for a treacherous act, detailing the movements and attire of Joab and Amasa at a significant location.

Context

Following the reconciliation of Judah and Israel after Absalom's rebellion, a new threat emerged: Sheba's rebellion. King David had previously appointed Amasa, his nephew and former commander of Absalom's army, as the new commander of Israel's army, replacing Joab (2 Samuel 19:13). However, Amasa's delay in gathering troops led David to send Abishai after Sheba, and Joab, ever the pragmatic and ruthless military leader, joined the pursuit. This verse describes their convergence at "the great stone which is in Gibeon," a town known from earlier biblical accounts, where Amasa and Joab meet face to face.

Key Themes

  • Treachery and Deception: The seemingly innocuous detail of Joab's sword "falling out" is a masterful stroke of narrative foreshadowing. It is widely interpreted as a deliberate act of deception, designed to put Amasa at ease and conceal Joab's true murderous intent. This sets the stage for the swift and unexpected assassination in the subsequent verses.
  • Power Struggle: This encounter highlights the intense power struggle within King David's court and military. Joab, a seasoned but often ruthless commander, was unwilling to relinquish his long-held position and influence, seeing Amasa as a direct threat to his authority.
  • Ruthless Ambition: Joab's character is consistently marked by his decisive, often violent, actions to secure his own position and David's kingdom. This incident mirrors his previous elimination of Abner, another rival, through similar treacherous means (2 Samuel 3:27).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "it fell out" (Hebrew: ื•ึทืชึตึผืฆึตื, vattฤ“tzeโ€™) can imply an accidental occurrence. However, in the immediate context of 2 Samuel 20:9-10, where Joab uses the sword to kill Amasa, it is overwhelmingly understood by commentators as a calculated maneuver. Joab likely allowed the sword to slip from its sheath, perhaps into his hand, preparing it for the swift, fatal blow while maintaining an appearance of innocence or disarming his opponent.

Practical Application

This verse, preceding a shocking act of violence, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the insidious nature of treachery. It underscores how appearances can be deceiving and how those seeking power may resort to extreme measures to achieve their goals. For believers, it highlights the importance of discernment, integrity, and the tragic consequences of allowing personal gain to supersede justice and loyalty, even in challenging circumstances.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 3:30

    So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

  • 2 Samuel 2:13

    And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

  • 2 Samuel 20:4

    ยถ Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.

  • 2 Samuel 20:5

    So Amasa went to assemble [the men of] Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
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