Amasa (Heb. Amâsâ’, “burden”; also appears on an old Heb. seal). 1. Son of the Ishmaelite Jeter and Abigail, a half-sister of David (1Ch 2:17); therefore Joab’s cousin (2Sa 17:25). Leaving David, he joined Absalom’s rebellion and was appointed captain of the rebel’s forces. After Absalom’s defeat, David not only forgave Amasa for his defection but also honored him by giving him Joab’s position, perhaps because Joab had just killed Absalom against his express orders (19:13) . Joab, angry at his release, murdered Amasa at Gibeon (20:1-13). Amasa is possibly the same Amasai* 2. 2. Ephraimite who helped free the captives of Judah who were being carried away by the army of King Pekah of Israel (2Ch 28:12).
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
son of Yitra 2 S 17, 25, whom Absalom, rebelled against David, put at the head of his army in place of Joab. A. and Joab were cousins of Absalom and nephews of David. King David, after Absalom’s death, made him chief of the army instead of Joab, with which the king won the heart of the people of Judah 2 S 19, 14-15. Joab got rid of A., his rival, assassinating him during Sheba’s revolt, imposing himself as head of the army 2 S 20, 8-13.
Digital Bible Dictionary, Grupo C Service & Design Ltda., Colombia, 2003
Source: Digital Bible Dictionary
1. Captain of the rebel forces under Absalom. Later, after David made him captain of the army in Joab’s place (2Sa 19:13), Joab treacherously killed David (2Sa 20:8-10).
2. Prince of Ephraim (2Ch 28:12-13).
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
(Charger). Name of people from the OT.
1. Nephew of David, son of his sister †¢Abigail and an Ishmaelite named †¢Jeter. He was therefore a cousin of † ¢ Joab. † ¢ Absalom, after entering Jerusalem during the revolt against his father, appointed A. as † œchief of the army instead of Joab † (2Sa 17:25). With the rebellion defeated, David wanted to win over A. and offered to make him “general of the army … instead of Joab” (2Sa 19:13). But Joab, resentful for that fact, killed him at a time when he pretended that he was going to kiss A., affectionately taking him by the beard, but sinking a dagger † œin the fifth rib † (2Sa 20: 8- 10). The body of A. “wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road” was a source of great perplexity for the army, which was to be engaged in the “pursuit of Sheba son of Bicri”, for which someone separated him “from the road to the field, and cast a garment on him† (2Sa 20:10-12). David did not agree with this crime. And when the time came to transfer the throne to his son Solomon, he reminded him of the murders of † ¢ Abner and A., committed by Joab, recommending his heir Solomon to do justice (1 Kings 2: 5 -6).
. Prince of Ephraim in the time of King †¢Pekah of Israel. When he defeated †¢Ahaz, king of Judah, and took many prisoners who were taken to Samaria, A. son of Hadlai and other leaders obeyed the words of the prophet †Obed who pointed out that as a great sin. The captives were well treated and returned to their land (2Ch 28:8-15).
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
(short form of Amasiah).
1. Son of Jether (Ithra) and Abigail —sister or half-sister of David—, and cousin of Absalom and Joab. (2Sa 17:25; 1Ch 2:16, 17) 2 Samuel says that Jether was an Israelite, while 1 Chronicles says Ishmaelite, perhaps because he lived in Ishmaelite territory. Some believe that Amasa is a shortened form of Amasai, one of those who joined David’s army at Ziqlag, but such an identification is uncertain. (1Ch 12:18.)
Years later, when Amasa joined Absalom in his rebellion against David, Absalom put him in charge of his army instead of Joab. (2Sa 17:25) The rebellion was put down, Joab killed David’s son Absalom, and David offered Amasa Joab’s position as commander of his army, for as he himself said, “Are you not my bone and my flesh?† . (2Sa 18:9-15; 19:13.)
A rebellion broke out again, this time because Seba did not want to have any involvement with David. (2Sa 20:1, 2) Amasa was given three days to gather an army. Failing to show up at the appointed time, Abishai was told to take David’s servants and go after the rebels. Abishai’s brother Joab and his men went with them in pursuit of Sheba. Finally, when Amasa, who was trailing behind, joined them, Joab seized him with one hand by the beard, pretending to give him an affectionate kiss, and with his sword in the other he slashed open his abdomen. (2Sa 20:4-12) This may have been Amasa’s just reward for allying with Absalom, but it was certainly not Joab’s place to execute her. Therefore, David ordered Solomon to avenge Amasa by killing Joab. (1Ki 2:5, 32)
2. Son of Hadlai. After Israel’s victory over Judah, the victorious army carried his brothers captive into slavery. Amasa was one of the four heads of the tribe of Ephraim who heeded the prophet Oded’s plea to return the captives. He also helped them, providing clothing, food and means to facilitate their repatriation. (2Ch 28:8-15.)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
1. Son of Jeter (or Ithra) Ishmaelite, and Abigail, David’s sister. He led Absalom’s rebel army (2 Sam. 17.25), was defeated by Joab (2 Sam. 18.6–8), pardoned by David, and replaced Joab as chief of the army (2 Sam. 19.13). Caught unawares, he was killed by treacherous Joab “near the great stone which is at Gibeon” (2 Samuel 20:9-12). Amasa may be the Amasai of 1 Chron. 12:18, but the evidence is inconclusive.
2. A member of the family of Ephraim who, with others, obeyed the prophet Obed and opposed the entry into Samaria of the Jewish prisoners taken by Pekah, king of Israel, in his campaign against Ahaz (2 Chr. 28:9–15) .
JDD
Douglas, J. (2000). New Biblical Dictionary: First Edition. Miami: United Bible Societies.
Source: New Bible Dictionary