“Mercy!!”

 “So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.” (2 Samuel 20:5)

Amasa was King David’s nephew and Absalom’s cousin. During Absalom’s Rebellion, Amasa was Absalom’s General. When Absalom is killed and his armies are scattered, Amasa is left with a dilemma. Does he continue to be in revolt with King David, does he surrender to King David, or does he try to join with King David?

What we know is, Amasa was ordered to bring troops from the tribe of Judah, assemble them with King David, and be there in three days.

“Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.” (2 Samuel 20:4)

This is a direct order from the King to his General. It is not an open ended order. King David did not say, bring me ten thousand men. It is a specific order based on time and location. Both of which Amasa failed to complete.

From a military perspective there is a consequence for missing an appointment. Amasa didn’t miss a dental appointment, he missed a military movement command from the King.

For Amasa’s failure to assemble at a given time and place, we see no command from King David to impose any consequence. King David had already realized that Amasa was not a capable leader when Amasa’s army had been scattered.

King David calls Abishai to replace Amasa in chasing Sheba.

“And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.” (2 Samuel 20:6-7)

King David’s army assembles at Gibeon. It is here that Amasa finally arrives. Joab approaches Amasa.

“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.

But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.” (2 Samuel 20:9-10)

Stay Tuned…