II Samuel 20: Sheba's Rebellion and Joab's Treachery
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.
Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
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.
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.
And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth–maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth–maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?
And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:
And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
II Samuel 20 recounts a swift and dangerous rebellion led by Sheba, a Benjamite, and the ruthless actions of Joab in suppressing it. This chapter reveals the fragile state of David's kingdom after Absalom's revolt, highlighting the ever-present threat of division and the dark side of political maneuvering.
A Spark of Rebellion (II Samuel 20:1-3)
The chapter opens with the sound of a ram's horn, a call to arms against Judah (II Samuel 20:1). Sheba, a "worthless man" (II Samuel 20:1), skillfully exploited the existing tensions between Israel and Judah, igniting a new rebellion. This highlights how easily discontent can be fanned into open revolt, especially when underlying grievances are left unaddressed. The battle lines were quickly drawn (II Samuel 20:2), threatening to plunge the kingdom back into chaos.
Before addressing the rebellion, David returns to Jerusalem and deals with a personal matter. He confines the ten concubines who had been publicly violated by Absalom. These women were provided for but lived as widows, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of Absalom's actions and the deep wounds they inflicted on David and his household (II Samuel 20:3).
The Pursuit Begins (II Samuel 20:4-7)
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, David tasks Amasa, his newly appointed commander, with gathering the troops of Judah within three days (II Samuel 20:4). However, Amasa fails to meet the deadline (II Samuel 20:5). This delay, whatever its cause, creates an opening for Joab to reassert his influence.
David, concerned that Sheba's rebellion would escalate beyond control, then commands Abishai, Joab's brother, to pursue Sheba swiftly (II Samuel 20:6-7). Joab and his men join Abishai, setting the stage for a confrontation marked by treachery and violence.
Joab's Brutal Return (II Samuel 20:8-13)
The pursuit leads Abishai and his forces to Gibeon, where they encounter Amasa (II Samuel 20:8). Joab, ever the opportunist, is also present. In a chilling display of deceit, Joab greets Amasa with a feigned gesture of friendship, a kiss of peace, before brutally murdering him (II Samuel 20:9-10). This act of treachery removes Amasa, a potential rival, and allows Joab to effectively regain control of the army.
Joab's cold-blooded murder underscores his ruthless ambition and disregard for human life. It highlights the dark side of power and the lengths to which some will go to maintain it. Despite the horror of the act, Joab continues his pursuit of Sheba as if nothing had happened. The stunned troops of Judah, however, are delayed until Amasa's body is removed from their path (II Samuel 20:11-13), demonstrating that even in the midst of war, some sense of decency remained.
The Siege of Abel Beth-maacah (II Samuel 20:14-22)
Joab, back in his element as commander, relentlessly pursues Sheba to Abel Beth-maacah, a city in northern Israel (II Samuel 20:14). He lays siege to the city, preparing to breach its walls (II Samuel 20:15). The city faces imminent destruction because of one man's rebellion.
In a remarkable turn of events, a wise woman from the city intervenes (II Samuel 20:16). She pleads with Joab, questioning his intention to destroy a peaceful and loyal city in Israel (II Samuel 20:18-19). She understands the value of diplomacy and seeks to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. When she learns that Joab only seeks Sheba, she promises to deliver him. The woman's wisdom and courage saved her city from destruction. The people of Abel Beth-maacah, recognizing the futility of supporting Sheba's rebellion, behead him and throw his head over the wall to Joab (II Samuel 20:20-22). This act demonstrates that not all of Israel supported Sheba's uprising and that they were willing to sacrifice him to restore peace.
The Aftermath (II Samuel 20:23-26)
Despite his heinous act of murdering Amasa, Joab remains in command of the army of Israel (II Samuel 20:23). This highlights David's pragmatic, albeit troubling, decision to prioritize stability over justice. The chapter concludes with a list of David's key officials (II Samuel 20:23-26), providing a glimpse into the structure of his government during this turbulent period. While Joab retained his position, the seeds of his eventual downfall were sown by his own violence and treachery. His murderous spirit would eventually cost him his life (see 1 Kings 2:28-35).
II Samuel 20 is a sobering reminder of the fragility of peace, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the importance of wisdom and courage in times of crisis. It also serves as a prelude to the final years of David's reign, marked by continued challenges and the consequences of past decisions.
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.
Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
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.
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.
And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth–maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth–maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?
And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:
And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
II Samuel 20 recounts a swift and dangerous rebellion led by Sheba, a Benjamite, and the ruthless actions of Joab in suppressing it. This chapter reveals the fragile state of David's kingdom after Absalom's revolt, highlighting the ever-present threat of division and the dark side of political maneuvering.
A Spark of Rebellion (II Samuel 20:1-3)
The chapter opens with the sound of a ram's horn, a call to arms against Judah (II Samuel 20:1). Sheba, a "worthless man" (II Samuel 20:1), skillfully exploited the existing tensions between Israel and Judah, igniting a new rebellion. This highlights how easily discontent can be fanned into open revolt, especially when underlying grievances are left unaddressed. The battle lines were quickly drawn (II Samuel 20:2), threatening to plunge the kingdom back into chaos.
Before addressing the rebellion, David returns to Jerusalem and deals with a personal matter. He confines the ten concubines who had been publicly violated by Absalom. These women were provided for but lived as widows, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of Absalom's actions and the deep wounds they inflicted on David and his household (II Samuel 20:3).
The Pursuit Begins (II Samuel 20:4-7)
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, David tasks Amasa, his newly appointed commander, with gathering the troops of Judah within three days (II Samuel 20:4). However, Amasa fails to meet the deadline (II Samuel 20:5). This delay, whatever its cause, creates an opening for Joab to reassert his influence.
David, concerned that Sheba's rebellion would escalate beyond control, then commands Abishai, Joab's brother, to pursue Sheba swiftly (II Samuel 20:6-7). Joab and his men join Abishai, setting the stage for a confrontation marked by treachery and violence.
Joab's Brutal Return (II Samuel 20:8-13)
The pursuit leads Abishai and his forces to Gibeon, where they encounter Amasa (II Samuel 20:8). Joab, ever the opportunist, is also present. In a chilling display of deceit, Joab greets Amasa with a feigned gesture of friendship, a kiss of peace, before brutally murdering him (II Samuel 20:9-10). This act of treachery removes Amasa, a potential rival, and allows Joab to effectively regain control of the army.
Joab's cold-blooded murder underscores his ruthless ambition and disregard for human life. It highlights the dark side of power and the lengths to which some will go to maintain it. Despite the horror of the act, Joab continues his pursuit of Sheba as if nothing had happened. The stunned troops of Judah, however, are delayed until Amasa's body is removed from their path (II Samuel 20:11-13), demonstrating that even in the midst of war, some sense of decency remained.
The Siege of Abel Beth-maacah (II Samuel 20:14-22)
Joab, back in his element as commander, relentlessly pursues Sheba to Abel Beth-maacah, a city in northern Israel (II Samuel 20:14). He lays siege to the city, preparing to breach its walls (II Samuel 20:15). The city faces imminent destruction because of one man's rebellion.
In a remarkable turn of events, a wise woman from the city intervenes (II Samuel 20:16). She pleads with Joab, questioning his intention to destroy a peaceful and loyal city in Israel (II Samuel 20:18-19). She understands the value of diplomacy and seeks to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. When she learns that Joab only seeks Sheba, she promises to deliver him. The woman's wisdom and courage saved her city from destruction. The people of Abel Beth-maacah, recognizing the futility of supporting Sheba's rebellion, behead him and throw his head over the wall to Joab (II Samuel 20:20-22). This act demonstrates that not all of Israel supported Sheba's uprising and that they were willing to sacrifice him to restore peace.
The Aftermath (II Samuel 20:23-26)
Despite his heinous act of murdering Amasa, Joab remains in command of the army of Israel (II Samuel 20:23). This highlights David's pragmatic, albeit troubling, decision to prioritize stability over justice. The chapter concludes with a list of David's key officials (II Samuel 20:23-26), providing a glimpse into the structure of his government during this turbulent period. While Joab retained his position, the seeds of his eventual downfall were sown by his own violence and treachery. His murderous spirit would eventually cost him his life (see 1 Kings 2:28-35).
II Samuel 20 is a sobering reminder of the fragility of peace, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the importance of wisdom and courage in times of crisis. It also serves as a prelude to the final years of David's reign, marked by continued challenges and the consequences of past decisions.