2
Samuel chapter 20 reminds us how critical it is to wisely choose who
you align your life with. Remember the nation of Israel was made up
of the twelve sons of Jacob (also called Israel). Each of these
individual clans grew into the tribes of Israel. The family
affiliation was of utmost importance because each had an allotted
inheritance in the land. In the previous chapter, even as King David
was being invited back into Israel, there was conflict between the
ten northern tribes (called Israel) and two southern tribes (called
Judah). In this environment, the chapter begins, “Now
a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bicri, a Benjamite, happened to be
there… shouted ‘We have no share in David’…So all the men of
Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of
Judah stayed by their king“.
It seems strange that they would so easily rebel against David, but
many people just do not want to submit to a king.
Remember,
in a political move, King David appointed Amasa as the commander of
his army (replacing the loyal Joab). At the first sign of trouble,
David told his new commander to gather the troops, “But
when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the
king had set for him“.
Interestingly it is the small band of men that have been with David
all along that take the fight to the rebel. “So
Joab’s men… and all the mighty warriors went out under the command
of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of
Bicri“.
When Amasa caught up with the army, Joab came out to meet him. Joab
greeted him with a kiss and ruthlessly stabbed Amasa in the belly.
“Amasa
died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bicri.”
Joab is loyal to David, but continues to misrepresent the king in
his dealings. As believers, we are called to represent Christ to the
world. How do you represent Him in your daily dealings?
Finally,
we read Sheba took refuge in a walled city where he thought he would
be safe, but Joab and his men began “battering
the wall to bring it down“.
From inside the city “a
wise woman called out”
to Joab in order to save the city. He said simply, “Hand
over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”
With little hesitation she replied, “His
head will be thrown to you from the wall“.
How is that for loyalty!? It is not always easy to know who to
trust as we go through life. My confidence is in the Savior.
Philippians 2:9-11 declares, “He
made Himself of no reputation…coming in the likeness of men… He
humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the
death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and
given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on
earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”