Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 20:11

"And there stood by him one of Joab`s young men, and said, He that favoreth Joab, and he that is for David, let him follow Joab." — 2 Samuel 20:11 (ASV)

One of Joab’s men. —Compare 2 Samuel 20:7. Time was too precious for Joab himself to wait. He had to put down Sheba’s rebellion by rapid action, and thereby render himself impregnable in the high office which had been his, and which he had now again usurped. He left one of his trusty men, however, by Amasa’s body, with a battle cry which should suggest that Amasa had rightly been put to death for his doubtful loyalty, and that all who were attached to Joab and loyal to David should follow Joab. Joab’s real motive for murdering Amasa, as for murdering Abner (2 Samuel 3:27), was personal jealousy and ambition.