×
Friend,    With Purim right around the corner, Sefaria is busy preparing for the “Purim bump” — the increase in users who visit Sefaria to celebrate the holiday. Last year, more than 100,000 people visited the library or used the app to connect with the holiday or read along with Megillat Esther. This year we’re expecting even more.    To help with our text and tech preparations ahead of this busy time, a generous Jewish foundation is matching all gifts to the library up to $36,000.    Please give today to help us meet your learning needs!     
Notable Sources
All Sources
A
Amasa's Rise to Power
TANAKH
Amasa's appointment as army commander by Absalom, replacing Joab, highlights the complex familial and political dynamics within King David's court. The book of Samuel II details the turbulent period of King David's reign, including the rebellion led by his son Absalom and the intricate relationships among David's military leaders.
Amasa's Missed Deadline
TANAKH
Amasa's failure to meet King David's deadline had significant implications for the stability of the kingdom. The biblical narrative in Samuel II recounts King David's command to Amasa to gather the men of Judah within three days and Amasa's subsequent failure to do so.
David's Military Strategy
SECOND TEMPLE
King David's strategic appointment of Amasa and the urgency in addressing the threat posed by Sheba, the son of Bichri, highlight the complexities of his military decisions. Josephus' historical work, 'The Antiquities of the Jews,' provides a detailed account of Jewish history, including the strategic and military decisions of King David.
Amasa's Interpretation of Authority
TALMUD
On the advice of his father David, King Solomon had Amasa's murderer Joab killed early in Solomon's reign. In the Talmudic tractate Sanhedrin, the rabbis imagine a legal debate between Solomon and Joab about whether or not Joab was justified in killing Amasa, and therefore whether Joab himself deserved to die.
Joab's Deceit and Unauthorized Actions
COMMENTARY
Joab's deceitful actions in killing Amasa and Abner were done without King David's knowledge, highlighting the unauthorized nature of his actions. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides clarity and accessibility.
The Treachery of Joab
TANAKH
Joab's treachery in killing Amasa during peacetime is a stark example of brutality and betrayal. In the biblical narrative of Kings I, King David instructs his son Solomon to address Joab's violent actions, including the murder of Amasa.
The Brutal Death of Amasa
COMMENTARY
The graphic and detailed description of Amasa's death at the hands of Yoav highlights the brutal power struggles within King David's kingdom. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging account of this violent episode.
Joab's Atonement
MIDRASH
Joab committed great crimes, including the murders of Abner and Amasa. Louis Ginzberg's early 20th-century work, Legends of the Jews, offers a narrative expansion on the biblical events and characters, providing deeper insights into Joab's complex legacy.
Betrayal from Within
COMMENTARY
Psalms attributed to King David bewail the threat of enemies. Radak, a medieval commentator, provides an explanation of the verses of Psalms, linking them to specific threats and betrayals from David's life, including his nephew Amasa turning against him.
We use cookies to give you the best experience possible on our site. Click OK to continue using Sefaria. Learn More.OKאנחנו משתמשים ב"עוגיות" כדי לתת למשתמשים את חוויית השימוש הטובה ביותר.קראו עוד בנושאלחצו כאן לאישור