7 And there went out after him Joab’s men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier’s garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out. 9 And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died.
Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 11 And one of Joab’s young men took his stand by Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.” 12 And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway. And anyone who came by, seeing him, stopped. And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a garment over him. 13 When he was taken out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.
Comment: I do not know why Amasa was delayed. And he didn’t get a chance to explain when he caught up by Abishai, Joab and the mercenaries. Joab drove his sword into his belly and left him on the roadside to bleed out his life. The sight of the dying man was an horrific detraction for the people having to go past the scene. So some young man, thinking quickly, dragged the dying man off the road, covered him with a cloak, and, stepping back onto the road, indicated that people should hurry after the army chasing Sheba.
Prayer: Father I suspect that Joab acted irrationally. Thank You for offering wisdom when we call for it! Please help me to avoid such decisions.
As I read it! 