2 Samuel Chapter 20
Sheba Rebels Against David
1 A troublemaker happened to be there—Sheba Ben-Bicri, a Benjamite. He blew the ram’s horn and said,
“We don’t have any part with David
or any inheritance in Jesse’s son.
Everybody, back to your homes, Israel!”
2 The men from Israel deserted David and followed Sheba. But Judah stayed firmly committed to their king and escorted him from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
3 David went to his palace in Jerusalem. The ten concubines he’d left behind to keep the house, he put under guard and took care of them; but didn’t have relations with them. They lived like widows till they died. 2 Sam 20:1-3
4 Then the king told Amasa, “Call out Judah’s army within three days and be present here with them.” 5 Amasa went to call them out, but it took him longer than the appointed time. 6 David told Abishai, “Sheba will do us more damage than Absalom. Take my troops and chase him he gets into fortified towns and escape from me.” 7 So Joab’s men, along with the king’s bodyguard and the strong warriors, left to pursue Sheba. 8 When they were at the large boulder at Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was dressed in his military attire, and over it was a belt with a dagger in its sheath fastened at his waist. As he stepped forward, it came out. 9 Joab said to Amasa, “Are you doing well, brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa wasn’t on guard against the dagger in Joab’s left hand. He struck him in the stomach just once and poured out his entrails on the ground, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba. 11 One of Joab’s young men stood by him and said, “Whoever is for Joab and David, follow Joab.” 12 But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood on the road. When the young man saw that everybody was standing still, he took Amasa off the road into the field and threw a cloak over him. 13 Then the men went on behind Joab to pursue Sheba.
2 Sam 20:4-13
14 Sheba went through the tribes of Israel to Abel, as far as Beth-maacah and the Berites. They gathered and went with him too. 15 Joab’s forces laid siege to Sheba in Abel Beth-maacah and threw a siege ramp up against the city’s fortifications. The people that were with Joab were starting to knock down the wall.
16 But a wise woman called out from the town, “Tell Joab to come here so I can talk to him.”
17 He approached and she said, “Are you Joab?”
“Yes”
“Listen to me.”
“I’m listening.”
18 “People have always said, ‘They’ll certainly ask advice at Abel.’ That’s how they settled disputes. 19 I’m among the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You’re trying to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why swallow up Yahveh’s inheritance?”
2 Sam 20:14-19
20 Joab answered, “I’d never swallow up or destroy you! 21 Sheba Ben-Bicri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has risen up against King David. Hand him over and I’ll leave.”
The woman said, “We’ll throw his head to you over the wall.”
22 The woman wisely went to the people. They cut off Sheba’s head and threw it to Joab. He blew the ram’s horn, and they pulled back from the city and went home. Joab went back to the king at Jerusalem.
23Joab commanded Israel’s whole army,
Benaiah Ben-Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard,
24Adoram managed forced labor,
Jehoshaphat Ben-Ahilud was royal historian,
25Sheva was secretary,
Zadok and Abiathar were priests, and
26Ira, descendant of Jair, was David’s personal priest.
2 Sam 20:20-26