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.

Other Translations of 2 Samuel 17:25

New International Version

25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether,Hebrew "Ithra" , a variant of "Jether" an IshmaeliteSome Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 2:17); Hebrew and other Septuagint manuscripts "Israelite" who had married AbigailHebrew "Abigal" , a variant of "Abigail" , the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

English Standard Version

25 Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite,Compare 1 Chronicles 2:17; Hebrew Israelite who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.

The Message

25 Absalom had made Amasa head of the army, replacing Joab. (Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, an Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab.)

New King James Version

25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.

New Living Translation

25 Absalom had appointed Amasa as commander of his army, replacing Joab, who had been commander under David. (Amasa was Joab's cousin. His father was Jether, an Ishmaelite. His mother, Abigail daughter of Nahash, was the sister of Joab's mother, Zeruiah.)

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:25

Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:22-29

(Read 2 Samuel 17:22-29)

Ahithophel hanged himself for vexation that his counsel was not followed. That will break a proud man's heart which will not break a humble man's sleep. He thought himself in danger, concluding, that, because his counsel was not followed, Absalom's cause would fail; and to prevent a possible public execution, he does justice upon himself. Thus the breath is stopped, and the head laid low, from which nothing could be expected but mischief. Absalom chased his father. But observe how God sometimes makes up to his people that comfort from strangers, which they are disappointed of in their own families. Our King needs not our help; but he assures us, that what we do for the least of his brethren, who are sick, poor, and destitute, shall be accepted and recompensed as if done to himself