2 Samuel 20:1-26
Q.1. Why did Sheba revolt? How were the king’s concubines treated? What did David do about Amasa’s delay? – (2 Sam.20:1-6)
Judah had claimed that the king, as their relative, was a closer to them, than he was to the other tribes (2 Sam.19:40-43). However, this fired opposition from Sheba from the tribe of Benjamin, who declared – We have no portion in David, nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, O Israel! (2 Sam.20:1). Upon returning home to the palace, David tended to the needs of the concubines who had been publicly humiliated by his son Absalom (2 Sam.20:3 c.f. 2 Sam.16:21-22). He then sent his new general, Amasa, to gather his army to pursue the rebel Sheba (2 Sam.20:4). When Amasa delayed, David was not impressed and said to Joab’s brother Abishai – Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom; take your lord’s servants and pursue him, so that he does not find for himself fortified cities and escape from our sight (2 Sam.20:6).
Q.2. Who joined Abishai to fight Sheba’s forces? Why did Joab murder Amasa? What impact did Amasa’s death have? – (2 Sam.20:6-13)
Joab was on bad terms with David because of the murder of Absalom, so favoured Joab’s brother Abishai. Joab still had the support of the army. Special mention was made of David’s personal bodyguard, the Cherithites and Pelethites who were under the leadership of Benaiah, one of David’s mighty men (2 Sam.20:7 c.f. 2 Sam.8:18; 20:23; 23:20-23). Joab had little respect for David, and bore a grudge against his replacement, Amasa, who had backed Absalom’s rebellion (c.f. 2 Sam.17:25; 18:11-15; 19:13). As Joab had done previously with Abner, he also murdered Amasa. (2 Sam.20:8-10 c.f. 2 Sam. 3:26-30). This shocked the soldiers, who then galvanized behind the pursuit of Sheba (2 Sam.20:11-13).
Q.3. Where did Sheba hide? What was the wise woman’s proposition? Who was part of David’s new team? – (2 Sam.20:14-26)
Sheba took refuge in Beth-maacah in Dan, to the extreme north of Israel. Joab set up a siege ramp to destroy the city (2 Sam.20:15). A wise woman reasoned with Joab that it was unnecessarily destructive for him to decimate a whole city with massive loss of life. In response, Joab asked her to give up Sheba, so she promised – his head will be thrown to you over the wall (2 Sam.20:21). The woman convinced the people to do this, thus saving the city from slaughter (2 Sam.20:16-22). The chapter concludes with a run-down of David’s new team, including – Joab who was back in charge of the whole army, Benaiah who was commander of the king’s personal bodyguard, and Adoniram, the manager over the labouring force. Also listed were David’s priests, the scribes, and the record keepers (2 Sam.20:23-26). David was an outstanding team leader.