Definition: But Amasa took no heed to the sword that [was] in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth [rib], and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 20:10 together. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about a man’s death. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Joab is in trouble: The verse tells us that Joab, a powerful military leader, was facing a serious problem – he had accidentally killed his brother, Abishai, with a sword. Amasa intervened: A man named Amasa saw this and stepped in to stop the violence. He essentially said, “Enough! This is not right.” The punishment: Amasa didn’t try to fight back or take action. Instead, he struck Joab with the sword until it broke – meaning it was completely destroyed. He then let Joab's blood fall into the ground, signifying his death. Following up: Joab and his brother, Abishai, continued pursuing Sheba, who had been fleeing after being attacked by Joab. Putting it all together – a simplified explanation: Joab made a mistake that caused harm to his brother. Amasa stepped in, stopped the violence, and ended Joab’s life. Then, Joab's brother continued to pursue him, highlighting the consequences of his actions. Key Themes & Interpretations (without going into deep theological stuff): Responsibility: The verse emphasizes that someone is responsible for their actions – in this case, Joab’s mistake. Justice and Retribution: The action of Amasa – stopping the violence – can be seen as a form of justice or retribution for the harm caused. It's about correcting an imbalance. Leadership & Consequences: The verse also shows us that leadership can have serious consequences, even when someone tries to intervene. Important Note: This is a very brief overview. Biblical passages are often layered with symbolism and meaning, so this explanation provides a foundational understanding of the core events in the story. --- Would you like me to: Explain any specific aspect of the verse in more detail? Connect it to a broader theme in the Bible (like forgiveness or accountability)?