2 Samuel 17:25

23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

24 Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

26 So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.
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.
WEB
Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
ASV
And Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, that went in to Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab`s mother.
DARBY
And Absalom set Amasa over the host instead of Joab; which Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra the Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
BLB
And Absalom had appointed Amasa instead of Joab Captain of the army. And Amasa [was] son of a man, and his name [was] Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, mother of Joab.
ÅB
Absalom hadde satt Amasa over hæren i stedet for Joab; Amasa var sønn av en mann som hette Jitra, en jisre'elitt som hadde gått inn til Abigal, datter av Nahas og søster til Seruja, Joabs mor.
OTB
Og Absalom hadde satt Amasa over hæren i stedet for Joab. Nå var Amasa sønn av en mann ved navn Jitra, en israelitt, som hadde gått inn til Abigal, datter av Nahasj, søster til Seruja, Joabs mor.
B1930
Absalom hadde satt Amasa over hæren i stedet for Joab; Amasa var sønn av en mann som hette Jitra, en jisre'elitt som hadde gått inn til Abigal, datter av Nahas og søster til Seruja, Joabs mor.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 19:13

    And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from this time you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 2:13

    Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third,

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 20:9–12

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

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 20:4

    Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 2:16–17

    Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 2:5

    Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 2:32

    The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

    Read in context