2 Samuel 20:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joab {H3097} said {H559} to Amasa {H6021}, Art thou in health {H7965}, my brother {H251}? And Joab {H3097} took {H270} Amasa {H6021} by the beard {H2206} with the right {H3225} hand {H3027} to kiss {H5401} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yo'av said to 'Amasa, "Is it going well with you, my brother? Then, with his right hand, Yo'av took 'Amasa by the beard to kiss him.

Berean Standard Bible

“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.

American Standard Version

And Joab said to Amasa, Is it well with thee, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 20:9 vividly portrays a moment of profound treachery as Joab, David's seasoned but ruthless general, approaches Amasa, David's newly appointed commander, under the guise of a cordial greeting. With the deceptive question, "Art thou in health, my brother?", and a seemingly affectionate gesture of taking Amasa by the beard to kiss him, Joab masterfully sets the stage for a swift and fatal assassination, eliminating a rival and reasserting his command during Sheba's rebellion. This verse encapsulates Joab's cunning, ambition, and willingness to resort to extreme violence to secure his position.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the tumultuous aftermath of Absalom's rebellion and the subsequent efforts to restore stability to David's kingdom. Following Absalom's defeat and death, David, seeking to reconcile with Judah and perhaps to diminish Joab's formidable influence, controversially appointed Amasa, Absalom's former general and David's nephew, as commander of his army, effectively demoting Joab [2 Samuel 19:13](/2_samuel/19-13 "2 Samuel 19:13 - Amasa Appointed Commander"). This decision deeply offended Joab, who had served David faithfully, albeit brutally, for years. When Sheba son of Bichri instigated a new rebellion [2 Samuel 20:1-2](/2_samuel/20-1 "2 Samuel 20:1-2 - Sheba's Rebellion"), Amasa was tasked with gathering troops but delayed, providing Joab with the perfect opportunity to reassert his military authority and eliminate his rival. The encounter described in [2 Samuel 20:9](/2_samuel/20-9 "2 Samuel 20:9 - Joab's Treachery Against Amasa") is the climax of this power struggle, immediately preceding Amasa's murder.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The gesture of taking someone by the beard was a common and significant act in the ancient Near East. It could signify deep respect, intimacy, or supplication, often preceding a kiss or a close conversation. However, it also placed the recipient in a vulnerable position, as their head was controlled. In this context, Joab's action is a calculated subversion of this cultural norm. By using his "right hand" (typically the sword-wielding hand, though the sword would have been drawn from the left hip), Joab ensures Amasa is disarmed, distracted by the feigned intimacy, and physically restrained, allowing for the swift, hidden thrust of the sword (as revealed in the subsequent verse, [2 Samuel 20:10](/2_samuel/20-10 "2 Samuel 20:10 - Amasa's Death")). This act highlights the extreme political volatility and the ruthless nature of power struggles in ancient monarchies, where personal ambition often trumped loyalty or familial ties.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Samuel 20:9](/2_samuel/20-9 "2 Samuel 20:9 - Joab's Treachery Against Amasa") powerfully encapsulates several enduring themes. Foremost is **betrayal and deception**, as Joab's outwardly friendly greeting and intimate gesture mask a murderous intent, illustrating the insidious nature of hidden malice. It also underscores the theme of **ruthlessness and ambition**, particularly in the character of Joab, who consistently eliminates rivals (e.g., Abner in [2 Samuel 3:27](/2_samuel/3-27 "2 Samuel 3:27 - Joab Kills Abner") and Absalom in [2 Samuel 18:14-15](/2_samuel/18-14 "2 Samuel 18:14-15 - Joab Kills Absalom")) to maintain his power and David's throne. This verse further highlights the pervasive **power struggles** within David's court, where positions of authority were fiercely contested, often with deadly consequences, revealing the dark side of human nature when unchecked by moral or spiritual restraint.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Health (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** The KJV translates the Hebrew `הֲשָׁלוֹם לְךָ` (Ha-shalom lekha), literally "Is it peace to you?" or "Are you well?". The word _shalom_ (peace) here is used with profound irony. While it typically denotes wholeness, well-being, and peace, Joab's use of it immediately before a murderous act transforms it into a chilling instrument of deception, underscoring the depth of his treachery.
* **Brother (Hebrew, _'ach'_):** Joab addresses Amasa as "my brother," emphasizing a familial or close fraternal bond. Amasa was indeed David's nephew and thus Joab's cousin. This term of endearment, meant to convey intimacy and trust, serves to lower Amasa's guard completely, making the subsequent betrayal even more shocking and heinous. It highlights the calculated nature of Joab's deception, exploiting a familial relationship for murderous ends.
* **Beard (Hebrew, _zaqan'_):** The act of taking someone "by the beard" was a culturally significant gesture in the ancient Near East. It could signify respect, supplication, or a deep personal greeting, often preceding a kiss. However, it also placed the person in a vulnerable position, as their head was controlled. Joab's use of his "right hand" (the dominant hand, typically used for wielding a weapon) to grasp Amasa's beard was a tactical maneuver, both a feigned gesture of intimacy and a physical restraint, ensuring Amasa's attention and balance were compromised just before the fatal blow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joab said to Amasa, [Art] thou in health, my brother?":** This opening phrase establishes the deceptive cordiality of the encounter. Joab initiates the conversation with a seemingly warm and familiar greeting, using the traditional Hebrew salutation of "peace" (_shalom_) and addressing Amasa as "brother." This verbal overture is designed to disarm Amasa, creating an atmosphere of trust and familiarity that completely masks Joab's murderous intent. The question of "health" or "peace" stands in stark, ironic contrast to the violence about to be unleashed.
* **"And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand":** This action is the physical manifestation of Joab's deception. The gesture itself, taking someone by the beard, was a sign of close intimacy and respect in ancient culture, often preceding a kiss. However, Joab's use of his "right hand"—the hand typically used for combat or wielding a weapon—while simultaneously drawing his sword with his left (as implied by the following verse), reveals the calculated and predatory nature of his embrace. This act physically restrains Amasa, drawing him close and exposing his vulnerable side, while also serving as a perfect distraction.
* **"to kiss him.":** The stated purpose of taking Amasa by the beard was to offer a kiss, a further act of feigned affection and reconciliation. This final element completes the picture of betrayal. The kiss, a symbol of peace and affection, becomes the ultimate veil for murder. It is a chilling parallel to later biblical betrayals, where a kiss is used to identify a victim for death, highlighting the profound moral depravity of Joab's act.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [2 Samuel 20:9](/2_samuel/20-9 "2 Samuel 20:9 - Joab's Treachery Against Amasa") is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and tragic impact. The most prominent is **Irony**, particularly **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience is aware of Joab's murderous intent while Amasa remains oblivious. Joab's greeting, "Art thou in health, my brother?", is a profound example of verbal irony, as he intends to bring anything but peace and health to Amasa. The act of taking Amasa "by the beard to kiss him" is also deeply ironic, transforming a gesture of intimacy and respect into a prelude to betrayal and death. This scene also employs **Foreshadowing**, as the seemingly innocuous actions of Joab create an ominous tension that hints at the impending violence. The detail of Joab using his "right hand" to grasp the beard, while his sword (implied to be in his left hand or drawn from his left hip) is hidden, builds suspense and subtly signals his true intention. Furthermore, there is powerful **Juxtaposition** between the outward appearance of friendship and the inward reality of malice, highlighting the deceptive nature of sin. The entire scene functions as a chilling **Symbolism** of betrayal, where trust is violated in the most intimate and shocking manner.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The treachery of Joab against Amasa in [2 Samuel 20:9](/2_samuel/20-9 "2 Samuel 20:9 - Joab's Treachery Against Amasa") serves as a stark biblical testament to the pervasive nature of human sin, particularly the destructive power of unchecked ambition, jealousy, and deceit. It illustrates how the pursuit of power can corrupt even those who serve a righteous king, leading to acts of profound betrayal. The scene highlights the reality that evil often masquerades as good, and that the most dangerous threats can come from those who appear to be allies or "brothers." This narrative underscores the fallen state of humanity, where even in the midst of God's chosen people and under the reign of a divinely appointed king, the deep-seated brokenness of the human heart can lead to such heinous acts. It reminds us of the constant need for discernment and vigilance, as well as the sobering truth that sin, when given a foothold, will inevitably lead to destruction and sorrow.

* [Proverbs 26:23](/proverbs/26-23 "Proverbs 26:23 - Deceptive Lips")
* [Psalm 55:21](/psalms/55-21 "Psalm 55:21 - Words Smoother Than Oil")
* [Matthew 26:48-49](/matthew/26-48 "Matthew 26:48-49 - Judas's Betrayal Kiss")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The chilling account of Joab's betrayal of Amasa in [2 Samuel 20:9](/2_samuel/20-9 "2 Samuel 20:9 - Joab's Treachery Against Amasa") offers profound lessons for contemporary life. It serves as a powerful reminder that not all pleasantries are genuine, and that true discernment is essential in navigating relationships. We are called to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, recognizing that malice can often hide behind a facade of civility, even within seemingly trusted circles. This passage compels us to examine our own hearts, acknowledging the destructive potential of unchecked ambition, jealousy, and the desire for control. Joab's actions demonstrate how easily power can corrupt and how quickly a sense of entitlement can lead to heinous acts against others, even those considered "brother." It challenges us to cultivate integrity, humility, and a genuine love for others, guarding against the insidious creep of self-interest that can ultimately lead to betrayal and spiritual decay. The story is a somber warning against the dangers of superficial relationships and the critical importance of seeking genuine peace and good will, rather than feigned affection for ulterior motives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joab's deceptive greeting challenge my understanding of outward appearances versus inward intentions in relationships?**
* **In what ways might unchecked ambition or jealousy manifest in my own life, and how can I guard against them?**
* **What role does discernment play in protecting myself and others from potential betrayal, and how can I cultivate it more deeply?**
* **How does this passage remind me of the importance of genuine reconciliation and peace, rather than superficial pleasantries?**

### FAQ

**Why did Joab kill Amasa, given that Amasa was also David's nephew?**

Answer: Joab's motivation for killing Amasa was primarily rooted in a ruthless desire to maintain his position as commander of David's army and eliminate a perceived rival. After Absalom's rebellion, David had appointed Amasa to replace Joab [2 Samuel 19:13](/2_samuel/19-13 "2 Samuel 19:13 - Amasa Appointed Commander"), a move that deeply offended Joab, who had served David faithfully for years. When Amasa delayed in gathering troops to quell Sheba's rebellion [2 Samuel 20:4-5](/2_samuel/20-4 "2 Samuel 20:4-5 - Amasa's Delay"), Joab seized the opportunity to take command and, in doing so, eliminate Amasa, thereby reasserting his indispensable role and removing a direct threat to his authority. His familial relationship to Amasa was secondary to his ambition and pragmatic, often brutal, approach to military and political power.

**What is the significance of Joab taking Amasa by the beard?**

Answer: Taking someone by the beard was a culturally significant gesture in the ancient Near East, typically signifying respect, intimacy, or supplication, often preceding a kiss or a close conversation. However, in [2 Samuel 20:9](/2_samuel/20-9 "2 Samuel 20:9 - Joab's Treachery Against Amasa"), Joab's action is a calculated act of deception and physical control. By grasping Amasa's beard, Joab not only feigned intimacy to lower Amasa's guard but also put him in a vulnerable, unbalanced position. This allowed Joab to draw Amasa close and, with his other hand, deliver a fatal blow with his concealed sword, making the betrayal all the more shocking and effective. It was a tactical maneuver disguised as a friendly greeting.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The chilling betrayal of Amasa by Joab, marked by a deceptive greeting and a feigned kiss, finds a profound and tragic echo in the New Testament with the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. Just as Joab used a gesture of intimacy to facilitate murder, Judas identified Jesus to the arresting mob with a kiss, saying, "Hail, Rabbi!" [Matthew 26:48-49](/matthew/26-48 "Matthew 26:48-49 - Judas's Betrayal Kiss"). Both instances highlight the insidious nature of sin and the depths of human depravity, where the very symbols of affection and peace are perverted for destructive ends. However, the contrast is even more striking: while Amasa died, a victim of human ambition, Jesus willingly laid down His life, not as a victim of circumstance, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His betrayal, unlike Amasa's, was part of God's redemptive plan, leading to the ultimate victory over sin and death [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us"). Through Christ's sacrifice, the true peace (shalom) that Joab ironically invoked is offered to all who believe, a peace that transcends human treachery and offers eternal life [John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.