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10 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.
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[AD 407] John Chrysostom on 2 Samuel 20:9-10
Would you like that, in another way also, I should make what I say plainer? Let us look into their case, [to those] who avenge themselves even justly. For concerning the wrongdoers, that they are the most worthless of all people, warring against their own soul, is surely plain to every one.But who avenged himself justly yet kindled innumerable ills and pierced himself through with many calamities and sorrows? The captain of David’s host. For Joab both stirred up a grievous war and suffered unnumbered evils; not one of them would have happened had he but known how to exercise self-control. Let us flee therefore from this sin and neither in words nor deeds do our neighbors wrong.

Source: HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 42.2
[AD 604] Gregory the Dialogist on 2 Samuel 20:9-10
Thus also the wicked, because they have evil not upon the tongue but under the tongue, in the words of their mouth they hold out sweet things, and in the thoughts of their heart are plotting mischief. For it is hence that Joab held the beard of Amasa with his right hand, while secretly putting his left hand to his sword, he spilled out his bowels. For to hold the chin with the right hand is to caress as if in kindness. But he puts his left hand to his sword, who in secret strikes in malice.

Source: MORALS ON THE BOOK OF JOB 15.11
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