Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. New Living Translation But Amasa lay in his blood in the middle of the road, and Joab’s man saw that everyone was stopping to stare at him. So he pulled him off the road into a field and threw a cloak over him. English Standard Version And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway. And anyone who came by, seeing him, stopped. And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a garment over him. Berean Standard Bible But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road, and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there, he dragged the body off the road into a field and threw a garment over it. Berean Literal Bible And Amasa was rolling around in his blood in the middle of the highway. And the man saw that all the people stood still, and he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw over him a garment when he saw that everyone who came upon him stood still. King James Bible And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. New King James Version But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came upon him halted. New American Standard Bible But Amasa was wallowing in his own blood in the middle of the road. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa from the road to the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. NASB 1995 But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. NASB 1977 But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. Legacy Standard Bible But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And the man saw that all the people stood still. So he removed Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. Amplified Bible But Amasa was wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people who came by stopped [to look], he moved Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by Amasa stopped. Berean Annotated Bible But Amasa (burden) wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road, and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there, he dragged the body off the road into a field and threw a garment over it. Christian Standard Bible Now Amasa had been writhing in his blood in the middle of the highway, and the man had seen that all the troops stopped. So he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him because he realized that all those who encountered Amasa were stopping. Holman Christian Standard Bible Now Amasa was writhing in his blood in the middle of the highway, and the man had seen that all the people stopped. So he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him because he realized that all those who encountered Amasa were stopping. American Standard Version And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. Contemporary English Version Amasa was still rolling in his own blood in the middle of the road. The soldier who had shouted noticed that everyone who passed by would stop, so he dragged Amasa off the road and covered him with a blanket. English Revised Version And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. GOD'S WORD® Translation Amasa was wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw that all the troops stopped as they came to the body, he carried Amasa from the road to the field and threw a sheet over him. Good News Translation Amasa's body, covered with blood, was lying in the middle of the road. Joab's man saw that everybody was stopping, so he dragged the body from the road out into the field and threw a blanket over it. International Standard Version While Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway, everybody who passed by was stopping to stare at him, so when the soldier saw that all of the army was stopping, he carried Amasa off the highway into a nearby field and covered him with a garment. NET Bible Amasa was squirming in his own blood in the middle of the path, and this man had noticed that all the soldiers stopped. Having noticed that everyone who came across Amasa stopped, the man pulled him away from the path and into the field and threw a garment over him. New Heart English Bible But Amasa lay covered with his blood in the midst of the road, and anyone who came by, seeing him, stopped. So when the man saw that all the people stopped, he dragged Amasa from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. Webster's Bible Translation And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road, and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there, he dragged the body off the road into a field and threw a garment over it. World English Bible Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Amasa is rolling himself in blood, in the midst of the highway, and the man sees that all the people have stood still, and he brings around Amasa out of the highway to the field, and casts a garment over him when he has seen that everyone who has come by him has stood still. Berean Literal Bible And Amasa was rolling around in his blood in the middle of the highway. And the man saw that all the people stood still, and he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw over him a garment when he saw that everyone who came upon him stood still. Young's Literal Translation And Amasa is rolling himself in blood, in the midst of the highway, and the man seeth that all the people have stood still, and he bringeth round Amasa out of the highway to the field, and casteth over him a garment, when he hath seen that every one who hath come by him -- hath stood still. Smith's Literal Translation And Amasa rolling in blood in the midst of the highway. And the man will see that all the people stood, and he will turn Amasa from the highway to the field, and he will cast upon him a garment when he saw all coming by him and standing. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Amasa imbrued with blood, lay in the midst of the way. A certain man saw this that all the people stood still to look upon him, so he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and covered him with a garment, that they who passed might not stop on his account. Catholic Public Domain Version Now Amasa was covered with blood, and was lying in the middle of the road. A certain man saw this, with all the people standing nearby to look at him, and he removed Amasa from the road into a field. And he covered him with a garment, so that those passing by would not stop because of him. New American Bible Amasa lay covered with blood in the middle of the highroad, and the man noticed that all the soldiers were stopping. So he rolled Amasa away from the road to the field and spread a garment over him, because he saw how all who came upon him were stopping. New Revised Standard Version Amasa lay wallowing in his blood on the highway, and the man saw that all the people were stopping. Since he saw that all who came by him were stopping, he carried Amasa from the highway into a field, and threw a garment over him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Amasa wallowed in his blood, lying in the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stopped to look at him, he dragged Amasa out of the highway and threw him into a field and cast a garment over him, when he saw that every one who came by him stopped. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Amasa was covered with his blood and was cast into the street, and when the man that stood with him saw all the people looking, he dragged Amasa from the street and laid him in a field and laid a cloak on him, when he saw that everyone who passed by him stood by him OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Amessai was weltering in blood in the midst of the way. And a man saw that all the people stood still; and he removed Amessai out of the path into a field, and he cast a garment upon him, because he saw every one that came to him standing still. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Sheba's Rebellion…11One of Joab’s young men stood near Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” 12But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road, and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there, he dragged the body off the road into a field and threw a garment over it. 13As soon as Amasa’s body was removed from the road, all the men went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.… Cross References But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road, 1 Kings 2:31-33 And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / 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. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” Numbers 35:33 Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, / you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there, Numbers 19:11-13 Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days. / He must purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh days, he will not be clean. / Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him. Numbers 9:6-7 But there were some men who were unclean due to a dead body, so they could not observe the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron that same day / and said to Moses, “We are unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be excluded from presenting the LORD’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?” Deuteronomy 23:12-14 You must have a place outside the camp to go and relieve yourself. / And you must have a digging tool in your equipment so that when you relieve yourself you can dig a hole and cover up your excrement. / For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, lest He see anything unclean among you and turn away from you. he dragged the body off the road into a field Deuteronomy 21:1-9 If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work, … 1 Kings 13:29-30 So the old prophet lifted up the body of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back to his own city to mourn for him and bury him. / Then he laid the body in his own tomb, and they lamented over him, “Oh, my brother!” 2 Samuel 21:12-14 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa. / So David had the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan brought from there, and they also gathered the bones of those who had been hanged. / And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land. and threw a garment over it. Ezekiel 16:8 Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD. Genesis 9:23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. Luke 23:53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. 2 Samuel 2:23 But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died. 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. 2 Samuel 3:30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.) 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. Treasury of Scripture And Amasa wallowed in blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth on him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. 2 Samuel 17:25 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. Psalm 9:16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. Psalm 55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. Jump to Previous Amasa Blood Carried Cast Cloth Field Garment Highway Lay Midst Removed Stood Stopped Threw Wallowed WallowingJump to Next Amasa Blood Carried Cast Cloth Field Garment Highway Lay Midst Removed Stood Stopped Threw Wallowed Wallowing2 Samuel 20 1. By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba rebels in Israel3. David's ten concubines are put in confinement for life 4. Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab 14. Joab pursues Sheba to Abel 16. A wise woman saves the city by Sheba's head 23. David's officers But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the road Amasa, appointed by Absalom and later by David as commander of the army, was killed by Joab. This act of violence highlights the brutal and often treacherous nature of political and military leadership in ancient Israel. The imagery of Amasa wallowing in his blood underscores the severity of his wound and the chaos of the situation. This scene reflects the harsh realities of leadership struggles and the consequences of betrayal and ambition, reminiscent of the violence that often accompanied the transfer of power in the ancient Near East. and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there he dragged the body off the road into a field and threw a garment over it Persons / Places / Events 1. AmasaAmasa was appointed by Absalom as the commander of the army in place of Joab. After Absalom's death, David replaced Joab with Amasa as the commander of his army. Amasa's death at the hands of Joab is a pivotal event in this chapter. 2. Joab Joab was the commander of David's army and a key military leader throughout David's reign. He killed Amasa in a bid to regain his position as commander. 3. The Road The road where Amasa lay is significant as it was a main thoroughfare, causing the troops to stop and gather, which could have disrupted the mission. 4. The Field The field where Amasa's body was moved represents a place of concealment, allowing the troops to continue their mission without distraction. 5. The Garment The garment used to cover Amasa's body symbolizes an attempt to restore order and dignity amidst the chaos and violence. Teaching Points The Consequences of Ambition and ViolenceJoab's ambition led him to commit murder to regain his position. This serves as a warning against allowing ambition to lead to sinful actions. The Importance of Order and Focus The removal of Amasa's body from the road illustrates the need to remove distractions that hinder our mission and focus on God's work. The Value of Human Dignity Covering Amasa's body with a garment shows a basic respect for human dignity, even in death. We are called to honor and respect all individuals as image-bearers of God. Leadership and Accountability Leaders are accountable for their actions. Joab's actions eventually led to his downfall, reminding us that leadership comes with responsibility and accountability before God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 20:12?2. How does 2 Samuel 20:12 illustrate the consequences of unchecked violence and ambition? 3. What can we learn about leadership from Joab's actions in 2 Samuel 20:12? 4. How does this verse connect to the theme of justice in the Bible? 5. How can we apply the lessons from 2 Samuel 20:12 in our communities today? 6. What does 2 Samuel 20:12 teach about the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully? 7. Why did Joab leave Amasa's body in the road in 2 Samuel 20:12? 8. How does Amasa's death reflect on Joab's character and leadership? 9. What does 2 Samuel 20:12 reveal about the value of life in ancient Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 20? 11. In 2 Samuel 20:8-10, why isn't Joab explicitly reprimanded for the ruthless killing of Amasa, despite earlier prohibitions against murder? 12. In 2 Samuel 12:7-14, why would a just God inflict punishment on an innocent child for David's sin, seemingly contradicting Ezekiel 18:20? 13. 1 Chronicles 20:5: Why does this text say Elhanan killed Goliath's brother, whereas 2 Samuel 21:19 seems to conflict about who killed Goliath? 14. In 2 Samuel 12:15-23, how can the moral or spiritual purpose of the child's death be reconciled with the idea of a loving and merciful God? What Does 2 Samuel 20:12 Mean But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the roadJoab’s treacherous dagger-thrust (2 Samuel 20:10) left the new commander dying where all could see. The scene is literal, graphic, and purposeful. • It exposes Joab’s pattern of eliminating rivals—first Abner (2 Samuel 3:27–29), then Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14), now Amasa—highlighting how unchecked ambition invites bloodguilt (Genesis 9:6; Proverbs 6:16-17). • It warns that even a man promoted by the king (2 Samuel 19:13) can fall if he trusts the wrong ally. • The gruesome sight arrests the army’s forward movement; the consequences of sin always hinder God-ordained progress (Joshua 7:1-5). and when the man saw that all the troops were stopping there A single unnamed soldier observes that the march against Sheba’s rebellion is stalled (2 Samuel 20:11). • Delay could allow Sheba to fortify himself (2 Samuel 20:14) and imperil David’s kingdom. • The episode echoes earlier moments when fear or confusion halted Israel’s ranks—such as when Saul’s troops froze during Jonathan’s exploit (1 Samuel 14:15-20) or when Goliath’s taunts immobilized the army (1 Samuel 17:24). • Leadership must act decisively so that the mission of God’s people is not derailed (Ecclesiastes 8:3-4). he dragged the body off the road into a field Practical steps restore order. • Removing the corpse ends the distraction and prevents ceremonial defilement for warriors who would otherwise tread on a dead body (Numbers 19:16). • Similar action was taken when the man of God lay dead on the road and the prophet respectfully relocated him (1 Kings 13:29-30), showing concern for dignity even after judgment falls. • Deuteronomy 21:22-23 directs Israel to handle bodies promptly, underlining both regard for the image of God and urgency in dealing with sin’s aftermath. and threw a garment over it Covering Amasa finishes the task with a measure of honor and modesty. • Shem and Japheth once “took a garment and laid it across their shoulders … and covered their father’s nakedness” (Genesis 9:23), illustrating that covering is an act of respect, not concealment of guilt. • The wise woman at Bahurim covered Joab’s messengers with a cloth (2 Samuel 17:19), a simple gesture that shielded observers from distress. • By veiling the bloody remains, the soldier allows the troops to focus on the king’s cause rather than the carnage (Philippians 3:13-14). summary 2 Samuel 20:12 literally records the grisly aftermath of Joab’s murder of Amasa, yet each phrase carries instruction. The open, bloody road shows sin’s cost; the halted army shows how violence disrupts God’s purposes; the removal and covering of the body restore order and dignity so the king’s mission can advance. The passage urges believers to guard against ambition, address sin swiftly, and keep eyes fixed on the tasks our true King assigns. (12) The people stood still.--These were probably the very people whom Amasa had just been gathering from Judah and Benjamin. Whoever they may have been, they were naturally overcome and paralysed for the moment at the sight of the great leader whom the king had just promoted wallowing in his blood. Joab's warrior, seeing the effect of their consternation, removed and concealed the body, and the pursuit then went on.Verse 12. - He removed Amasa. The admonition to move on failed; for the sight was terrible and tragic, and all as they came along stopped to see what had happened, and inquire the cause (comp. 2 Samuel 2:23). The man, therefore, had the corpse carried out of the way, and threw over it a cloth, really a coat - the loose upper mantle worn over the tunic (see note on beged, 1 Samuel 19:13). Whereupon the people renewed their march, most of them not knowing what had occurred, and the rest urged to it by the warning voice of Joab's servitor.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Amasaוַעֲמָשָׂ֛א (wa·‘ă·mā·śā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6021: Amasa -- two Israelites wallowed מִתְגֹּלֵ֥ל (miṯ·gō·lêl) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1556: To roll, roll away in his blood בַּדָּ֖ם (bad·dām) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed in the middle בְּת֣וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre of the road, הַֽמְסִּלָּ֑ה (ham·mə·sil·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4546: A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase and when the man הָאִ֜ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person saw וַיַּ֨רְא (way·yar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see that all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the troops הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock were stopping there, עָמַ֣ד (‘ā·maḏ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations he dragged וַיַּסֵּב֩ (way·yas·sêḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround [the body] עֲמָשָׂ֨א (‘ă·mā·śā) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6021: Amasa -- two Israelites off מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the road הַֽמְסִלָּ֤ה (ham·sil·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4546: A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase into a field הַשָּׂדֶה֙ (haś·śā·ḏeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land and threw וַיַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ (way·yaš·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away a garment בֶּ֔גֶד (be·ḡeḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage over it. עָלָיו֙ (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Links 2 Samuel 20:12 NIV2 Samuel 20:12 NLT 2 Samuel 20:12 ESV 2 Samuel 20:12 NASB 2 Samuel 20:12 KJV 2 Samuel 20:12 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 20:12 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 20:12 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 20:12 French Bible 2 Samuel 20:12 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 20:12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
    |