2 Samuel 20:1-26


Loyalty is a very hard quality to find.  David has several people that have been loyal to him, but he just cannot seem to keep the nation together.  He has just returned to Jerusalem after the rebellion of Absalom and now Sheba sets out to start another division in the nation.  This is part of God’s punishment of David that war will not pass from his house, but it sure must have gotten hard for David to live under this type of constant pressure and division.  The price of sin is very steep.

SHEBA DIVIDES THE KINGDOM: Israel had been complaining that they were not called to celebrate David’s return.  This as soon as Sheba stands up to lead a rebellion against David; Israel is quick to follow.  Judah was faithful to David, but Israel has been wishy washy from almost the start.  Once again David finds himself with a divided kingdom.  He decides to send his new general out to take Sheba out so he tells Amasa to go out and recruit an army from Judah.  However, when he delays David sends Joab’s brother Abishai out after Sheba.  David is being much more decisive now and is determined to unite the kingdom.  Passivity in leadership is not good thing.

JOAB IS DETERMINED TO LEAD: Joab goes out with his brother after Sheba but when he meets David’s new general on the road, Joab decides to kill him.  Joab is a ruthless man who is determined to remain in power no matter what the cost.  He has repeatedly killed men in cold blood in order to retain his position.  He is very loyal to David as king and has done much to keep David in power, but he is very quick to take matters into his own hands.  Now that Joab is back in charge, he sets out to destroy Sheba.

SHEBA IS DECAPITATED BY A WOMAN:  Joab chased Sheba into a town and was about to tear down the wall of the town in order to kill Sheba and end the rebellion.  A wise woman asked Joab why he would destroy the entire town for the life of one man.  Joab strikes a deal that he will preserve the town in exchange for Sheba’s head.  The woman convinces the people to give Sheba up in order to save the city and the rebellion is over.  Sometimes it takes a wise person to step up and be able to restore peace.  Courage and wisdom are qualities that are essential to leadership.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more