Wednesday, October 28, 2015

II Samuel 20: Putting Down A Rebellion

With the kingdom still in turmoil after lurching from David to Absalom and back to David, a "scoundrel" named Sheba takes advantage of the situation to promote a rebellion among the tribes of Israel against Judah's leadership.

David, having promoted Amasa to the head of the army in place of Joab, summons his new general to gather an army to put down the rebellion.  But when Amasa is delayed, David reverts to employing Abishai, Joab's brother, to lead the troops (vs. 6).  As it happens, Joab met Amasa on the road, and assassinated him with a hidden sword.

Joab, once again back in charge atop the army, pursues Sheba to a city called Abel.  He begins building siege works against to defeat it, but an elderly wise woman points out the destructiveness to a good city that he is causing.  Joab replies that he is only interested in Sheba - if the town surrenders him up, the army will depart in peace.  The townspeople agreed with Joab's solution, and sent the head of Sheba over the wall to him as a peace offering.  In accordance with his word, Joab and the army left (vs. 22).

The final verses of this chapter give an update to the names of the important people in King David's administration.  After Absalom's coup and Sheba's rebellion, David is once more firmly in charge of the kingdom of Israel.

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