King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 17:25 Mean?

2 Samuel 17:25 in the King James Version says “And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israeli...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 17:25 · KJV

Context

23

And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. followed: Heb. done put his: Heb. gave charge concerning his house

24

Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

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.

26

So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.

27

And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

Read 2 Samuel 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Competing Counsel, emphasizing divine providence over human wisdom. The contrast between Ahithophel's shrewd counsel and Hushai's divinely-blessed alternative demonstrates God's providential control over human wisdom. The text explicitly states "the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel" (v. 14), emphasizing divine sovereignty. Ahithophel's suicide demonstrates despair when human wisdom fails. Theological themes include God's sovereignty over human planning, divine protection of His anointed, and the inadequacy of worldly wisdom apart from God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 17 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding divine providence over human wisdom provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of divine providence over human wisdom?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְאֶת1 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַֽעֲמָשָׂ֣א2 of 24

“Amasa”

H6021

amasa, the name of two israelites

שָׂ֧ם3 of 24

“made”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אַבְשָׁלֹ֛ם4 of 24

“And Absalom”

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

תַּ֥חַת5 of 24
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

יוֹאָֽב׃6 of 24

“Joab's”

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

עַל7 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַצָּבָ֑א8 of 24

“captain of the host”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וַֽעֲמָשָׂ֣א9 of 24

“Amasa”

H6021

amasa, the name of two israelites

בֶן10 of 24

“son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אִ֗ישׁ11 of 24

“was a man's”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וּשְׁמוֹ֙12 of 24

“whose name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יִתְרָ֣א13 of 24

“was Ithra”

H3501

jithra, an israelite (or ishmaelite)

הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֔י14 of 24

“an Israelite”

H3481

a jisreelite or descendant of jisrael

אֲשֶׁר15 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּא֙16 of 24

“that went in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל17 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲבִיגַ֣ל18 of 24

“to Abigail”

H26

abigail or abigal, the name of two israelitesses

בַּת19 of 24

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

נָחָ֔שׁ20 of 24

“of Nahash”

H5176

nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-israelite

אֲח֥וֹת21 of 24

“sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

צְרוּיָ֖ה22 of 24

“to Zeruiah”

H6870

tserujah, an israelitess

אֵ֥ם23 of 24

“mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

יוֹאָֽב׃24 of 24

“Joab's”

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 17:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 17:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 2:132 Samuel 19:132 Samuel 20:9-121 Chronicles 2:16-171 Kings 2:51 Kings 2:32

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 17 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Samuel 17 with CommentaryAll 2 Samuel ChaptersComplete 2 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes