2 Samuel 20 13

2 Samuel 20:13 kjv

When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:13 nkjv

When he was removed from the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:13 niv

After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

2 Samuel 20:13 esv

When he was taken out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:13 nlt

With Amasa's body out of the way, everyone went on with Joab to capture Sheba son of Bicri.

2 Samuel 20 verses

2 Samuel 20 13 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate aftermath of Joab's assassination of Amasa. Amasa's body, lying dead in the main thoroughfare, had caused the pursuing Israelite army to pause and gather around it, creating a significant impediment to their critical mission. The removal of the body, instigated by Joab, directly resulted in the army's seamless resumption of the chase after Sheba the son of Bichri, the leader of a new rebellion against King David. The verse highlights the practical need for swift action to eliminate obstacles, especially in the context of a military campaign where speed and focus are paramount.

2 Samuel 20 13 Context

This verse is embedded in 2 Samuel Chapter 20, which details Sheba's rebellion immediately following Absalom's defeat. King David is returning to Jerusalem, and divisions within Israel threaten national unity. David, attempting to heal old wounds and possibly curb Joab's influence, appoints Amasa, formerly Absalom's general, as his new army commander. This decision clearly displaces Joab, who had been instrumental in quashing Absalom's rebellion but also held significant personal power. As the newly appointed Amasa and Joab gather troops to pursue Sheba, Joab ruthlessly murders Amasa under the guise of a friendly greeting. The act takes place on the "highway" (main road), turning it into a grisly spectacle. The dead body of Amasa creates a literal and psychological obstruction for the advancing army, drawing their attention and potentially disrupting the mission's urgency. Verse 13 describes the swift action taken to clear this obstruction, allowing the army's unimpeded pursuit of the rebel Sheba to continue. Historically, armies needed to maintain cohesion and momentum; a public murder could shatter morale or redirect focus. Joab's action, while abhorrent, was pragmatic, ensuring the mission proceeded and his de facto command remained unchallenged.

2 Samuel 20 13 Word analysis

• And when he was removed: The Hebrew is `vayyāsar֙` (וַיָּסַר֙), from the root `sûr` (סוּר), meaning "to turn aside," "to remove," or "to depart." The passive voice implies an action taken by another agent, namely "one of Joab's young men" mentioned in 2 Sam 20:12. This immediate removal emphasizes the critical need to eliminate the obstruction swiftly, to maintain military flow.
• out of the highway: The Hebrew is `min-hammesillāh` (מִן־הַמְסִלָּ֗ה), where `mesillāh` (מסילה) refers to a well-used road, a main thoroughfare, or highway. The body of Amasa lying in such a public and crucial pathway signifies a literal roadblock, drawing the attention of all passing soldiers and effectively halting their progress. Its placement underlines the public nature of Joab's audacious act.
• all the people: The Hebrew `kol-hā‘ām֙` (כָּל־הָעָם֙) denotes the entire army or a large contingent of soldiers involved in the pursuit. The phrase signifies unanimity and swift, collective movement, highlighting that once the obstruction was gone, the entire force was ready to proceed.
• went on: The Hebrew is `wayya‘aḇrū` (וַיַּעַבְר֜וּ), from `‘āḇar` (עָבַר), meaning "to pass over," "to go on," or "to proceed." It shows immediate resumption of movement. The action of "passing over" or "crossing" also implicitly speaks to moving past the traumatic event of Amasa's death.
• after Joab: The Hebrew `’aḥărey Yō’āḇ` (אַֽחֲרֵ֣י יוֹאָ֑ב). This is significant. Despite the heinous murder he just committed, the troops immediately continued to follow Joab. This demonstrates his immense practical authority, strategic prowess, and possibly the army's ingrained obedience to him, viewing him as the effective commander indispensable for victory. Their allegiance, in this moment, was pragmatic rather than ethical.
• to pursue: The Hebrew is `lirdōp̄` (לִרְדֹּף֙), from the verb `rāḏap̄` (רָדַף), meaning "to chase," "to follow after," or "to pursue." It denotes a determined and active chase after an enemy or rebel, highlighting the immediate military objective.
• Sheba the son of Bichri: Sheba (שֶׁ֤בַע), from the tribe of Benjamin, represents the lingering anti-David sentiment after Absalom's rebellion. His rallying cry "We have no portion in David" (2 Sam 20:1) highlights tribal tensions. The specific mention identifies the target of the pursuit, grounding the verse in its precise historical military context.
• Words-group: "when he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on": This sequence illustrates a clear cause-and-effect: the removal of the literal obstruction immediately facilitated the continuation of the military campaign. It underscores the practical efficiency prioritized in wartime, overriding the moral implications of Amasa's murder in that instant.
• Words-group: "after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri": This phrase highlights Joab's effective, though brutal, leadership and the crucial military objective. It shows that despite his morally questionable actions, Joab was seen by the army as the key figure for mission accomplishment, maintaining momentum towards suppressing the rebellion.

2 Samuel 20 13 Bonus section

• The speed with which the army resumed pursuit after the body's removal highlights the pragmatism of ancient military forces. Disruptions like a prominent death scene could lead to hesitation, desertion, or moral collapse, thus the swift clearance was crucial for maintaining momentum and discipline.
• The phrase "after Joab" is a subtle reinforcement of Joab's enduring and unchallenged command within David's army, despite David's stated intent to replace him with Amasa. The soldiers' immediate obedience reflects their deeply ingrained loyalty to the functional leader in battle, regardless of personal feelings or the moral implications of his actions.
• This incident is a powerful testament to the theme of removing "stumbling blocks"—whether literal, like Amasa's body, or metaphorical, like sin or disunity—for the sake of progression, growth, or national stability. In a spiritual sense, such immediate removal of impediments can also be seen when God acts to clear the way for His purposes or when believers actively cast off hinderances to faith.

2 Samuel 20 13 Commentary

2 Samuel 20:13 serves as a pivotal point in the narrative, depicting the swift transition from an horrific act of murder to the relentless pursuit of a national enemy. Joab, through his shocking assassination of Amasa, removes not only a rival but also any lingering indecision or fragmented loyalty that Amasa's presence or the spectacle of his death might cause. The verse demonstrates Joab's unwavering, albeit brutal, effectiveness as a military commander; by ensuring the rapid disposal of Amasa's body, he clears a physical and psychological obstacle, allowing the army's immediate and united continuation of their mission under his effective leadership. It illustrates the stark realities of war and power dynamics where practical outcomes sometimes overshadow moral rectitude. The urgency of quelling Sheba's rebellion necessitated a rapid return to focus, which Joab facilitated with merciless efficiency. This brief verse underscores the tension between justice and expediency that permeates David's reign.