1
Now there happened to be there a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite. He blew the trumpet and said:
“We have no share in David,
we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.
Every man to his tent, O Israel!”
2
So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba son of Bichri, but the men of Judah remained loyal to their king, following him from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.
3
When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to keep the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but did not go in to them. They remained secluded, like widows, until the day of their death.
4
Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah for me within three days, and then return here.”
5
So Amasa went to summon the men of Judah, but he delayed beyond the time the king had appointed for him.
6
Then David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did; take your master’s men and pursue him, lest he find fortified cities and escape from us.”
7
So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men went out after him. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.
8
When they came to the great stone at Gibeon, Amasa had arrived there before them. Now Joab was dressed for battle, and over it he had a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened at his waist. As he stepped forward, the sword fell out.
9
Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab’s right hand held Amasa’s beard to kiss him.
10
Amasa did not notice the sword in Joab’s hand; Joab struck him in the belly, and his entrails spilled out on the ground. He did not need to strike him a second time, for he was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai continued in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
11
One of Joab’s men stood beside the body and said, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!”
12
Meanwhile Amasa lay dead in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw that all the people were standing still and watching, he moved Amasa’s body from the road into the field and spread a cloth over it, because he saw that everyone who came by stopped and looked.
13
After the body had been removed from the road, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.
14
Sheba had passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maacah. And all the Bichrites had gathered and followed him.
15
But Joab’s men came and besieged him in Abel Beth Maacah; they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the outer wall, while all the people who were with Joab were undermining the wall to make it fall.
16
Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come near here, that I may speak with you.’”
17
So Joab came near to the woman. The woman asked, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then the woman said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.” He answered, “I am listening.”
18
Then the woman said, “In former times they used to say, ‘Let them ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled matters
19
that were established by the faithful in Israel. But you are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother city in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?”
20
Joab answered, “Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy!
21
That is not the case. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, named Sheba son of Bichri, has lifted his hand against King David; hand him over alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” Then the woman said to Joab, “Very well; his head will be thrown to you over the wall.”
22
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. Joab blew the trumpet, and they scattered from the city, each to his own home. So Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
23
Joab was over all the army of Israel, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
24
Adoram was over the forced labor, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder.
25
Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
26
And Ira the Jairite was also priest to David.
⚔️🔥🏰 Summary of 2 Samuel 20 – Sheba’s Rebellion and the Tragic End of a City
2 Samuel 20 records a new rebellion that broke out soon after David returned to Jerusalem. A rebel named Sheba, from the tribe of Benjamin, took advantage of the rift between Judah and Israel to divide the kingdom. Amasa failed in his duty as the new commander, so Joab took over by brutal means — even killing Amasa. Yet a wise woman from Abel Beth Maacah saved her city through shrewd negotiation. Wise counsel is stronger than weapons.
📌 1. Sheba’s Rebellion Begins (verses 1–2)
➡️ Sheba, from the tribe of Benjamin, blew the trumpet and said:
“We have no share in David!”
➡️ Most of Israel followed him; only Judah remained loyal to David
🎯 Unhealed tension between the tribes opened the way for rebellion.
📌 2. David Returns and Sets His House in Order (verse 3)
➡️ David arrived at his palace and placed the 10 concubines violated by Absalom in permanent seclusion
🎯 Absalom’s sin left a lasting wound in the palace.
📌 3. Amasa Is Given the Task, but Delays (verses 4–7)
➡️ David ordered Amasa, the new commander, to gather the troops within 3 days
➡️ Amasa failed to arrive on time
➡️ Abishai and Joab were then ordered to lead the troops in pursuit of Sheba
🎯 Weak leadership leaves room for chaos.
📌 4. Joab Kills Amasa (verses 8–13)
➡️ Joab pretended to greet Amasa warmly, then stabbed him in the belly until he died
➡️ Amasa lay in the road, causing the troops to stop
➡️ His body was moved so the troops could advance
🎯 Joab’s ambition and violence often went ahead of God’s calling.
📌 5. A Wise Woman Saves the City of Abel (verses 14–22)
➡️ Sheba hid in the city of Abel-beth-maacah
➡️ Joab besieged the city and began battering it
➡️ A wise woman from the city came to Joab and said:
“Why do you want to destroy a peaceful city?”
➡️ They agreed to hand over Sheba; the woman led her people to cut off Sheba’s head and throw it over the wall
🎯 One wise voice can save thousands of lives.
📌 6. David’s Government Is Stabilized Again (verses 23–26)
➡️ The list of royal officials is updated; Joab returns as commander
🎯 Though bloody and chaotic, the stability of David’s government begins to recover.
📖 Main Teaching
- Fragile unity can be used by evil people to divide
- Leadership is not only about position, but also about accuracy and firmness
- Unrestrained ambition can destroy friends and leaders
- True wisdom often comes from unexpected places — even from an old woman
- The Lord uses a wise voice to prevent greater destruction
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“The wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle…”
➡️ That wise woman is a picture of saving wisdom.
“Blessed are the peacemakers…”
➡️ The Lord uses peacemakers more powerfully than armed soldiers.
“Watch out for those who cause divisions…”
➡️ Like Sheba, deceivers often appear after a time of transition.
“Do not let idle time and gossip open a door for evil.”
➡️ Amasa’s delay became an opening for ambitious Joab.
🕊️ “We have no share in David!” – 2 Samuel 20:1
🕊️ “Should a peaceful city be destroyed?” – 2 Samuel 20:19
🕊️ “They threw Sheba’s head to Joab.” – 2 Samuel 20:22
🕊️ “Joab became head over all the army of Israel.” – 2 Samuel 20:23
