Amasa

Amasa (Hebrew: עמשא, ʻAmāsā; "Name means::burden") (ca. Born::2923 AM–Died::2979 AM) was an officer in the royal army of the United Kingdom of Israel under King David. He accepted an appointment by the rebel Absalom as chief of staff. When Absalom was defeated and killed, David allowed Amasa to continue as chief of staff, but Joab murdered him.

Genealogy

descendant of::Obed

grandson of::Jesse

Eliab

Abinadab

Shimea

Nethanel

Raddai

Ozem

Unknown

David

Zeruiah

son of::Abigail

Abishai

Joab

Asahel

Amasa

Amasa was David's nephew, and the son of David's sister, Abigail. His father is variously reported as Ithra the Israelite (2_Samuel 17:25 ) and Jether the Ishmaelite (1_Chronicles 2:17 )

History

The Bible mentions Amasa only in connection with his military service. Absalom, who rebelled against David in 2977 AM, named Amasa as his chief of staff. (Joab, the regular chief of staff, remained loyal to David and joined him in exile.) David defeated Absalom, and Joab personally killed him. In an effort to reconcile the opposing factions, David confirmed Amasa as chief of staff. (2_Samuel 19:13 )

Two years later, Sheba the Benjaminite revolted also. David ordered Amasa to call out the army within three days, and Amasa was delayed. David then ordered Abishai to lead his troops in pursuit of Sheba before he could fortify himself.

Joab and his men went with Abishai, and encountered Amasa on the road. Joab approached him as a friend, but with his sword in hand. Joab stabbed Amasa in the abdomen so that his bowels fell out, and left him lying dead in a pool of his own blood. (2_Samuel 20:8-12 )

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