2 Samuel 20

CHAPTER 20

Sheba Rebels Against David (20:1–26)

1–3 A troublemaker named Sheba was among the Benjamites who had come to meet David at the Jordan River (2 Samuel 19:17). He convinced the men of the ten northern tribes who were present that David indeed favored Judah and that they should therefore desert David and return home: “Every man to his tent,” he shouted (verse 1).

So all the men of Israel who were there deserted David and followed Sheba. The men of Judah, however, stayed with David and returned with him to Jerusalem (verse 2). When he arrived in Jerusalem, David took the ten concubines who had slept with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:16; 16:22) and placed them in a house under guard for the rest of their lives (verse 3).

4–7 David then ordered Amasa (2 Samuel 17:25; 19:13) to call together the men of Judah to pursue Sheba. When Amasa was slow in doing this, David became impatient and turned to Joab’s brother Abishai, another of his commanders (2 Samuel 18:2). “Take your master’s (David’s) men,” said David, “and catch Sheba before he can escape”(verse6). So the men formerly under Joab’s command, along with David’s other mighty warriors such as the Kerethites and Pelethites (2 Samuel 8:18), set out in pursuit of Sheba with Abishai in command (verse 7).

8–13 On the way they met Amasa, probably accompanied by some of the troops he had been gathering. Joab, who had joined Abishai and David’s men, stepped forward to “greet” Amasa. However, Joab’s intent was to kill him. Joab allowed his dagger to fall to the ground, and as he picked it up he plunged it into the belly of the unsuspecting Amasa (verse 10). This was not the first time Joab had murdered a perceived enemy (see 2 Samuel 3:27; 18:14). Leaving the dead Amasa on the road, Joab and Abishai resumed their pursuit of Sheba.

When the men accompanying Amasa saw that their leader was lying dead on the road, they no doubt wondered what to do next. One of Joab’s men challenged them to show their loyalty to David by following Joab. This they agreed to do, and all the men then went on with Joab (verse 13).

14–22 Meanwhile, Sheba had gone with his followers to the northern city of Abel Beth Maacah, where he prepared to defend himself. It turned out to be a bad choice from Sheba’s point of view. The people of that particular city were noted for their wisdom (verse 18), and on the advice of one wise woman among them they agreed to give Sheba’s head to Joab in return for his promise to stop besieging their city (verses 16,21). The woman had made this arrangement with Joab by persuading him not to swallow up part of the LORD’s inheritance (verse 19); the city was part of Israel and thus belonged to the Lord (see 1 Samuel 10:1 and comment). Furthermore, destroying one troublemaker was far better than destroying a whole city.

Joab agreed to the woman’s terms, and the people of the city killed Sheba and threw his head down to Joab from the city wall (verse 22). Joab and his forces then withdrew and returned to Jerusalem.

23–26 The writer concludes this chapter with a list of David’s royal officials during the latter part of his reign.⁶⁵ Notice in verse 23 that Joab is said to be over Israel’s entire army. Though Joab remained loyal to David, he was a ruthless man who often ignored David’s commands. He served on his own terms, never losing sight of his own self-interest. Many people serve God in the same way; in effect, they try to serve two masters: themselves and God (Matthew 6:24). “Loyalty” alone is not enough; we must serve God with our whole heart and diligently obey all of His commands.