2 Samuel 17:25
ESV
Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab 's mother.
NIV
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.
NASB
Absalom put Amasa in command of the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who had relations with Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
CSB
Now Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite; Ithra had married Abigail daughter of Nahash. Abigail was a sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
NLT
Absalom had appointed Amasa as commander of his army, replacing Joab, who had been commander under David. (Amasa was Joab’s cousin. His father was Jether, an Ishmaelite. His mother, Abigail daughter of Nahash, was the sister of Joab’s mother, Zeruiah.)
KJV
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
NKJV
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
What does 2 Samuel 17:25 mean?
So far, Absalom has pulled off a bloodless coup. He used manipulation and flattery to win the hearts of Israelites who had come to Jerusalem with legal complaints. He met them at the city gate dressed like a conquering hero. He treated commoners like royalty. He promised he would solve all their problems if he had the authority (2 Samuel 15:1–6). After four years, he had a large enough following to declare himself king and march on Jerusalem while his father fled (2 Samuel 15:7–14).It's time for the matter to be settled. Only one man can be king. Neither will back down, so they must fight. David's generals are, as always, his nephews Joab and Abishai. In a surprise pick, he gives the remaining third of his army to Ittai, a newly hired Philistine mercenary (2 Samuel 15:18–22; 18:1–2). Absalom chooses Amasa, another cousin by David's other sister. When the battle is over, the veterans will prove to be more than a match for Absalom's army.
The identity of Amasa's father is confused. The ESV calls him "Ithra the Ishmaelite"; Ishmaelites are descendants of Abraham's oldest son Ishmael, although sometimes the descendants of Abraham's sons with his second wife Keturah are called the same name. The NASB more accurately refers to him as "Ithra the Israelite." But the genealogies in 1 Chronicles 2:16 identify him as "Jether the Ishmaelite." Ithra may be a version of Jether, although Chronicles is probably more precise regarding his heritage.
Amasa has a short but exciting life in front of him. When Joab has killed Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14–15) and David has returned to power, David will fire Joab and make Amasa his general (2 Samuel 19:13). As David is settling in, a Benjamite named Sheba will entice the men of Israel into another rebellion against David. David will send Amasa and the fighting men of Judah after him. While they're traveling, Joab will murder Amasa (2 Samuel 20:1–10).
