2 Samuel 17:23-26

Easy-to-Read Version

Ahithophel Kills Himself

²³When Ahithophel saw that the Israelites did not do what he suggested, he saddled his donkey and went back to his hometown. He made plans for his family and then hanged himself. They buried him in his father’s tomb.

Absalom Crosses the Jordan River

²⁴David arrived at Mahanaim just as Absalom and the Israelites who were with him crossed over the Jordan River. ^25-26Absalom and the Israelites made their camp in the land of Gilead. Absalom had made Amasa the new captain of the army. He took Joab’s place.^[a] Amasa was the son of Ithra the Ishmaelite.^[b] His mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Joab’s mother, Zeruiah.^[c]

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Footnotes

2 Samuel 17:25 He took Joab’s place Joab still supported David. Joab was one of the three captains in David’s army when David was running away from Absalom. See 2 Sam. 18:2.
2 Samuel 17:25 Ishmaelite This is from the ancient Greek version. The standard Hebrew text has “Israelite,” but see 1 Chron. 2:17.
2 Samuel 17:25 His mother … Zeruiah Literally, “Ithra had sexual relations with Abigail, the daughter of Nahash sister of Zeruiah.”