The Revolt of Sheba (continued)
Introduction:
David returns to Jerusalem and reclaims the throne.
A Benjamite by the name of Sheba led a new revolt against David and persuaded the ten northern tribes (the Israelites) to desert the king.
A story of an unnamed women.
2 Samuel 20:14-26 NLT
The Revolt of Sheba (continued)
14 Meanwhile, Sheba traveled through all the tribes of Israel and eventually came to the town of Abel-beth-maacah. All the members of his own clan, the Bicrites, assembled for battle and followed him into the town. 15 When Joab’s forces arrived, they attacked Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the town’s fortifications and began battering down the wall. 16 But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.” 17 As he approached, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?”
“I am,” he replied.
So she said, “Listen carefully to your servant.”
“I’m listening,” he said.
18 Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’ 19 I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the Lord?”
20 And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town! 21 That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.”
“All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.” 22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.
23 Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard. 24 Adoniram was in charge of forced labor. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian. 25 Sheva was the court secretary. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests. 26 And Ira, a descendant of Jair, was David’s personal priest.
Examine the Scriptures
2 Samuel 20:14-26 NLT
The Revolt of Sheba continued
14 Meanwhile, Sheba traveled through all the tribes of Israel and eventually came to the town of Abel-beth-maacah.
A fortified city near Israel’s northern border.
About 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee and 4 miles west of Dan (MacArthur). – refer to a map
150 miles from Gilgal. ??
- Sheba retreats north to Abel-beth-maacah, a fortified city near Israel’s northern border.
All the members of his (Sheba son of Bicri) own clan, the Bicrites,
This is the only time the Bicrites are mentioned in the Bible.
Bicrites are descendants of Bicri, Sheba’s father.
Bicri was from the tribe of Benjamin.
assembled for battle and followed him into the town.
Sheba and his men were inside the city walls prepared to face a long siege.
- The Bicrites rally around Sheba, showing that some Benjamites may still resent David’s rule after Saul’s dynasty lost power.
Sheba was not getting overwhelming support from the ten northern tribes.
15 When Joab’s forces arrived, they attacked Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the town’s fortifications and began battering down the wall.
- Having reasserted command by killing Amasa, Joab leads the army to besiege the city, building up a ramp to break through its walls.
A well-known tactic for breaching a walled city’s defenses.
The “siege ramp” shows this was a full-scale military operation, suggesting Sheba’s rebellion was taken seriously as a national threat.
16 But a wise woman in the town
- The wise woman is unnamed, but she’s remembered for her wisdom, diplomacy, and courage.
called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.” 17 As he approached, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?”
“I am,” he replied.
So she said, “Listen carefully to your servant.”
“I’m listening,” he said.
The wise woman may have been referencing:
Deuteronomy 20:10 NLT
10 “As you approach a town to attack it, you must first offer its people terms for peace.
18 Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’
- Abel had the reputation of being a place known for wisdom and peace.
The city was famous for the wisdom of its inhabitants.
The city was a place where disputes were settled peacefully.
The unnamed women pleaded for Joab to ask the city if they wanted peace.
19 I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the Lord?”
She asked why Joab would destroy a peaceful and faithful city in Israel just to capture one man.
Apparently, Abel was a prominent city of Israel. (Although it is not on many of the Maps of Israel.) Abel-beth-maacah?
- All of the cities of Israel were the Lord’s special possession.
1 Samuel 10:1 NLT
10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his (the Lord’s) special possession.
- The wise woman reminds Joab that destroying an entire city would be a grave sin against the Lord’s inheritance (God’s people and land).
20 And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town! 21 That’s not my purpose.
Joab was ready to avoid further bloodshed.
All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David.
Joab explained he was only after Sheba, the rebel who had taken refuge there.
- Joab did not feel the need to destroy Abel. All Joab wanted was the man Sheba.
If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.”
“All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.”
The woman then wisely said, “His head shall be thrown to you from the wall.”
22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab.
The unnamed women averted needless bloodshed and saved her entire city through calm reasoning and decisive leadership.
- The woman’s story illustrates how wisdom and clear communication can bring peace where violence threatens.
So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack.
The ram’s horn signals the end of hostilities.
They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.
David just can’t get rid of Joab.
David “ignores” the murder of Amasa (as well as Absalom and Abner).
Based on 1 Kings 1:19 Joab was still the commander of the army at the end of David’s reign.
- In spite of all that had happened since Absalom’s rebellion, David’s monarchy had not fallen apart. He still had an intact administration.
This final listing signifies the re-establishment of royal authority and the return to order in David’s kingdom after a tumultuous period of internal conflict and rebellion.
Notice the continuity before and after this period of time.
23 Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel.
Joab had this role in 2 Samuel 8. (Long before Absalom’s rebellion.)
David was regaining control over all of Israel.
- Joab remains commander of the army—despite his disobedience and brutality, David still relies on his effectiveness.
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard.
Benaiah had this role in 2 Samuel 8. (Long before Absalom’s rebellion.)
David’s special troops.
The Kerethites and Pelethites appear to be foreign mercenaries or special troops who were loyal to David.
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was commander of Saul’s army. (1 Kings 4:4)
24 Adoniram was in charge of forced labor.
Adoniram was also in charge of forced labor for Solomon. (1 Kings 4:6)
Conscripted labor gangs. (Prisoners of war)
Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian.
Jehoshaphat had this role in 2 Samuel 8. (Long before Absalom’s rebellion.)
He was also Solomon’s royal historian. (1 Kings 4:3)
25 Sheva was the court secretary.
Zadok and Abiathar were the priests.
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were the priests in 2 Samuel 8.
They were also priests for Solomon. (1 Kings 4:4)
26 And Ira, a descendant of Jair, was David’s personal priest.
David’s royal advisor.
Special minister.
- Even amid rebellion and chaos, God preserves His chosen king and the unity of His people through the wisdom and courage of unexpected individuals.
