2 Samuel 20-22, Psalm 102

In a foreshadow of coming division, a man named Sheba divides the rest of Israel from Judah, and David sends Amasa to gather troops. Remember, David has just been reinstated as king after his son Absalom turned against him to take the throne for himself. During that period, Absalom appointed Amasa as the new leader of his army, a position once held by Joab. Joab is the man who killed David’s son Absalom, and David surely knew this. When reinstated as king, David appointed Amasa, not Joab, as the leader of the army. When Joab and Amasa meet on the road, Joab drops his sword to the ground, and picks it up non-chalantly, asking Amasa if he is well, all of which is a very clever way to deceive the new leader and take over.