The Rebellion of Sheba

II Samuel 20:1–26
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Sheba, a trouble maker from the tribe of Benjamin asked the Israelites to follow him and rebel against David, and they did, while the people of Judah stayed close to David (vv. 1-2). The house of Benjamin had been jealous of David since he became king of Israel and Sheba hoped to return the throne to the house of Benjamin. David had left ten of his wives in Jerusalem and when he returned  he put them in another house, placed soldiers to guard them, provided everything for them, but never slept with them again (v. 3). David gives Amasa three days to organize Judah’s Army but it was taking more time so he told Abishai to take his best soldiers and go after Sheba (vv. 4-6). Abishai took Joab, his soldiers and David’s bodyguards who met up with Amasa at Gibeon (vv. 7-8).

Joab had a dagger strapped around his waist and as he greets Amasa, who is not on guard, plunges the dagger into his stomach and Amasa is dying (vv. 9-10). Joab and Abishai leave to chase after Sheba while one of Joab’s soldiers stood over Amasa and shouted, “If any of you are for “David, then follow Joab” (v. 11)! The corpse of Amasa is a distraction as it lies in the middle of the road so a soldier drags it into a field and covers it with a garment while the other soldiers join Joab in pursuit of Sheba (vv. 12-13). Sheba has traveled through all of Israel to reach Abel Beth-maachah when Joab and his troops catch up, build a dirt ramp up to the town wall and start knocking it down with a battering ram (vv. 14-15).

At this point a wise woman comes out from the top of the wall and rebukes Joab for trying to destroy the “mother city in Israel” (Judges 5:7) (vv. 16-19). Joab says he is not trying to destroy the town but looking for a man in the town who is leading a rebellion against King David and if they will give him over they will leave the town alone (v. 20). The woman replies that they will throw his head over the wall which they did (vv. 21-22).Joab blew a signal on his trumpet, and the soldiers went back to David in Jerusalem. A list of David’s officials is given which reflects David.s weakened position after the rebellion of Absalom and Sheba (vv. 23-26). 

Application

I know that I was born with a rebellious heart and it is only changed by His grace (Eph. 2:8-9).