And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

2 SAMUEL 19:13KJV
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2 Samuel 19:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 19:13 mean?

2 Samuel 19:13 records David telling his followers to approach Amasa and offer him the position of commander of the army, replacing Joab. David emphasizes their close kinship by saying Amasa is of his "bone and flesh," and he swears an oath that Amasa will have this role continually before him.

David is speaking after Absalom’s rebellion, trying to restore unity in Israel. By offering Amasa, who had sided with Absalom, the top military position, David is reaching out to former opponents and signaling forgiveness. This move also serves to replace Joab, who had killed Absalom against David’s wishes, and to heal divisions among the people.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 19:13

  • "bone" (עֶצֶם, etsem) and "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar): These words stress deep family ties and shared identity, showing David’s intent to reconcile and emphasize unity with Amasa.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) and "do" (עָשָׂה, asah): David uses a strong oath formula, calling on God to punish him if he does not keep his promise, which underlines the seriousness of his offer.
  • "captain" (שַׂר, sar) and "host" (צָבָא, tsava): These terms make clear that David is offering Amasa the highest military command, not just a minor role.
  • "room" (תַּחַת, tachat): This word means "in place of," confirming that Amasa is to take Joab’s position, not serve alongside him.

Why 2 Samuel 19:13 matters

  • This verse shows David’s political wisdom in healing the nation after civil war by including former enemies in leadership, rather than punishing them.
  • The verse highlights the tension between David and Joab, setting up later events and showing that David is willing to make bold changes to restore order.
  • Understanding the oath and the language of kinship helps clarify that David’s promise to Amasa is both sincere and meant to send a strong signal of reconciliation to all Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Amasa” Hebrew H6021 · used in 12 verses

  • 2 Samuel 17:25 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.
  • 2 Samuel 20:8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
  • 1 Kings 2:5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

“room” Hebrew H8478 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
  • Job 34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

“bone” Hebrew H6106 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • 2 Kings 13:21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
  • Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
  • 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.