2 Samuel 20:4-13 - Joab Assassinates Amasa

⁴ David said to Amasa: Three days from now I want you and all of Judah's army to be here! ⁵ Amasa assembled the army of Judah. It took longer than three days. ⁶ David said to Abishai: Sheba will hurt us more than Absalom ever did. Take my best soldiers and go after him. We do not want him to take over any walled cities and get away from us.

⁷ Joab's men, the Cherethites, Pelethites, and all the soldiers went with Abishai. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri. ⁸ Amasa met them at the large rock in Gibeon. Joab wore a military uniform. He strapped a sword in a scabbard at his hip. He stepped forward and the sword dropped into his hand. ⁹ How are you, my brother? Joab asked Amasa. He took hold of Amasa's beard with his right hand to kiss him. ¹⁰ Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab's left hand. Joab stabbed him in the stomach. Then he stabbed him in his intestines and they poured out on the ground. He died without being stabbed again. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

¹¹ One of Joab's young men stood beside Amasa and said: Those who favor Joab and are on David's side should follow Joab. ¹² Amasa's body was covered with blood in the middle of the road. Joab's man saw that everybody was stopped. He dragged the body from the road out into the field and threw a blanket over it. ¹³ After the body had been removed from the road, everyone followed Joab in pursuit of Sheba.