And Abigail bare Amasa: and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmeelite.

Wesley's Notes

2:17 Ishmaelite - By birth or habitation, but by profession an Israelite, 2Sam 17:25.

King James Translators' Notes

Jether...: also called, Ithra an Israelite

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17. Jether the Ishmaelite-(compare 2Sa 17:25). In that passage he is called Ithra an Israelite; and there seems no reason why, in the early days of David, anyone should be specially distinguished as an Israelite. The presumption is in favor of the reading followed by the Septuagint, which calls him "Jetra the Jezreelite." The circumstance of his settling in another tribe, or of a woman marrying out of her own tribe, was sufficiently rare and singular to call for the statement that Abigail was married to a man of Jezreel.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:1-55 Genealogies. - We are now come to the register of the children of Israel, that distinguished people, who were to dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations. But now, in Christ, all are welcome to his salvation who come to him; all have equal privileges according to their faith in him, their love and devotedness to him. All that is truly valuable consists in the favour, peace, and image of God, and a life spent to his glory, in promoting the welfare of our fellow-creatures.