2 Samuel 20:9 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: Joab said to Amasa, "How are you, my brother?" Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

NASB: And Joab said to Amasa, 'Is it going well for you, my brother?' And Joab took hold of Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

CSB: Joab asked Amasa, "Are you well, my brother?" Then with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.

NLT: How are you, my cousin?' Joab said and took him by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him.

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.

NKJV: Then Joab said to Amasa, “ Are you in health, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

Second Samuel 20:4–13 describes the graphic way in which Joab reclaims his position as general. Joab killed Absalom against David's orders (2 Samuel 18:5, 14), so David gave Joab's command of the army to Absalom's general, Amasa (2 Samuel 19:13). David sends Amasa after a new rebel leader. When he's delayed, David sends Joab's brother Abishai with the mighty men and bodyguards. Joab is hiding in their ranks and when they catch up with Amasa, Joab assassinates the new general with a single, body-emptying slice. He resumes command and will chases Sheba to a walled city where a wise woman will offer Sheba's head in exchange for the safety of the people (2 Samuel 20:14–22).

David's men strike down one last rebellion. Absalom is dead (2 Samuel 18), and David is trying to reunite the nation (2 Samuel 19). After bickering with Judah over who loves David more (2 Samuel 19:41–43), the ten northern tribes give up and follow a new rebel leader, Sheba. David sends his new general, Amasa, after Sheba. But along the way, Joab murders Amasa and resumes command of the army. Sheba hides in a city. The army of Judah tries to tear down the walls. A wise woman offers Sheba's head, instead. The tribes will not rebel against David again, but they will break from his grandson Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10).

In 2 Samuel 20, David tries to hold everything together. During David's flight from his son's invasion of Jerusalem, a Benjaminite cursed him, claiming he stole Saul's throne (2 Samuel 15:1–14; 16:5–8). The rebellion is over, but the ten northern tribes quickly follow another Benjaminite. Sheba claims that David only cares about Judah and rallies people to follow him, instead. Joab takes care of Sheba, and the rebellion ends. Sadly, David's involuntary offenses against Benjamin aren't finished. He must give seven of Saul's sons and grandsons to the Gibeonites as recompense for something Saul did (2 Samuel 21:1–14). We're never told what, but the struggles between David and Benjamin seem to end.

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 4/23/2026 11:55:07 AM