And Joab said to Amasa, [Art] thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
Ver. 9. Art thou in health, my brother?] Of all kinds of revenge that is most execrable and deadly, which, like a serpent in the green grass, lies lurking in the flatteries and fawnings of a fleeting face. The Hebrew here hath it, Art thou peace? Oh, base!
And Joab took Amasa by the beard to kiss him.] Indeed, to kill him. But that this was the ancient manner of saluting, see Plin., lib. xi. cap. 5.