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2 Samuel 20

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¹There happened to be there a base fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew the trumpet, and said, "We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!"

²So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.

³David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody, and provided them with sustenance, but didn't go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.

⁴Then the king said to Amasa, "Call me the men of Judah together within three days, and be here present."

⁵So Amasa went to call [the men of] Judah together; but he stayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him.

⁶David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than did Absalom. Take your lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight."

⁷There went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

⁸When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was clothed in his apparel of war that he had put on, and on it was a sash with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath; and as he went forth it fell out.

⁹Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

¹⁰But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand. So he struck him with it in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and didn't strike him again; and he died. Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

¹¹There stood by him one of Joab's young men, and said, "He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab!"

¹²Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.

¹³When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

¹⁴He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.

¹⁵They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.

¹⁶Then a wise woman cried out of the city, "Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, 'Come near here, that I may speak with you.'"

¹⁷He came near to her; and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Hear the words of your handmaid." He answered, "I do hear."

¹⁸Then she spoke, saying, "They were used to say in old times, 'They shall surely ask counsel at Abel;' and so they settled it.

¹⁹I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the inheritance of Yahweh?"

²⁰Joab answered, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

²¹The matter is not so. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city." The woman said to Joab, "Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall."

²²Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

²³Now Joab was over all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites;

²⁴and Adoram was over the men subject to forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder;

²⁵and Sheva was scribe; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

²⁶and also Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

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2 Samuel 20:1-3 Verses 1-3

One trial arises after another for our good, till we reach the place where sin and sorrow are for ever done away. Angry disputers misunderstand or misconstrue one another's words; proud men will have every thing their own way, or wholly refuse their assistance. The favour of the many is not to be depended upon; and what have others to expect, when Hosanna to the Son of David was soon changed to Crucify him, crucify him?

2 Samuel 20:4-13 Verses 4-13

Joab barbarously murdered Amasa. The more plot there is in a sin, the worse it is. Joab contentedly sacrificed the interest both of the king and the kingdom to his personal revenge. But one would wonder with what face a murderer could pursue a traitor; and how, under such a load of guilt, he had courage to enter upon danger: his conscience was seared.

2 Samuel 20:14-22 Verses 14-22

Justly is that place attacked, which dares to harbour a traitor; nor will the heart fare better which indulges rebellious lusts, that will not have Christ to reign over them. A discreet woman, by her prudent management, satisfied Joab, and yet saved the city. Wisdom is not confined to rank or sex; it consists not in deep knowledge; but in understanding how to act as matters arise, that troubles may be turned away and benefits secured. A great deal of mischief would be prevented, if contending parties would understand one another. Let both sides be undeceived. The single condition of peace is, the surrender of the traitor. It is so in God's dealing with the soul, when besieged by conviction and distress; sin is the traitor; the beloved lust is the rebel: part with that, cast away the transgression, and all shall be well. There is no peace on any other terms.

2 Samuel 20:23-26 Verses 23-26

Here is the state of David's court, after his restoration. It is well when able men are appointed to discharge public duties; let all seek to perform those duties, as faithful servants to the Son of David.

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Key Words and Topics

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Key Words in This Passage

Joab 16 in this passage Son 11 in this passage Sheba 10 in this passage Amasa 9 in this passage Bichri 8 in this passage Men 8 in this passage David 6 in this passage Israel 6 in this passage City 5 in this passage Woman 5 in this passage Jerusalem 4 in this passage Joab’s 4 in this passage King 4 in this passage Man 4 in this passage Over 4 in this passage Dagger 3 in this passage Hand 3 in this passage Judah 3 in this passage Listen 3 in this passage Road 3 in this passage Troops 3 in this passage Went 3 in this passage Abel-Beth-Maacah 2 in this passage Abishai 2 in this passage

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Related Topics

Abel-Beth-Maachah: Sheba Slain In 2 Samuel 20:14–22

Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel-beth-maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him. / And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it, / a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.”

Abiathar: High Priest--Called Ahimelech: Associate High Priest with Zadok in the Reign of David 2 Samuel 20:25

Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Abishai: Overthrows Sheba 2 Samuel 20:1–22

Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. / When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.

Adoniram: Also Called Adoram, a Tax Gatherer 2 Samuel 20:24

Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

Adoram: officer Over the Tribute 2 Samuel 20:24

Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

Ahilud: Father of Jehoshaphat 2 Samuel 20:24

Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

Amasa: Nephew of David: Sam 2 Samuel 20:8–12

And while they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa joined them. Now Joab was dressed in military attire, with a dagger strapped to his belt. And as he stepped forward, he slipped the dagger from its sheath. / “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

Armies: How officered: Commander-In-Chief 2 Samuel 20:23

Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

Armies: March in Ranks: Orders Delivered with Trumpets 2 Samuel 20:1, 22

Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

Assassination: Amasa, by Joab 2 Samuel 20:9, 10

“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

Battering-Ram: General Scriptures Concerning 2 Samuel 20:15

And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it,

Beth-Maachah: A City of the Territory of the Tribe of Manasseh 2 Samuel 20:14, 15, 18

Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel-beth-maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him. / And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it, / Then the woman said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Seek counsel at Abel,’ and that is how disputes were settled.

Bichri: A Benjamite 2 Samuel 20:1

Cabinet: David's 2 Samuel 20:23–26

Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; / Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

Cherethites: A Philistine Tribe, Which Adhered to David, and with the Pelethites Formed his Bodyguard 2 Samuel 20:7, 23

So Joab’s men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri. / Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

Citizens: Wicked: Sheba 2 Samuel 20:1, 2

Civil Minister: Ira 2 Samuel 20:26

and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.

Confidence: Betrayed: Amasa, by Joab 2 Samuel 20:9, 10

David: King of Israel: Amasa is Killed 2 Samuel 20:4–10

Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” / So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the time allotted him. / And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.”

David: King of Israel: Returns to Jerusalem 2 Samuel 20:1–3

David: King of Israel: Sheba's Conspiracy Against David, and his Death 2 Samuel 20:1

Diplomacy: The Wise Woman of Abel 2 Samuel 20:16–22

a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.” / When he had come near to her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said. “I am listening,” he answered. / Then the woman said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Seek counsel at Abel,’ and that is how disputes were settled.

Enemies: The Friendship of, Deceitful 2 Samuel 20:9, 10

Ephraim: Mount of Sheba Resides In 2 Samuel 20:21

That is not the case. But a man named Sheba son of Bichri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him alone, and I will depart from the city.” “Look,” the woman replied, “his head will be thrown to you over the wall.”

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Jehoshaphat Jehovah-judged. (1.) One of David's body-guard (1 Chr. 11:43). (2.)… Pelethites Mentioned always along with the Cherethites, and only in the… Jerusalem Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the "city of God," the… Recorder (Heb. mazkir, i.e., "the mentioner," "rememberancer"), the office first held… Faithful As a designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful,… Abiathar Father of abundance, or my father excels, the son of… Jehoiada Jehovah-known. (1.) The father of Benaiah, who was one of… Benaiah Built up by Jehovah. (1.) The son of Jehoiada, chief… Abishai Father of (i.e., "desirous of") a gift, the eldest son… Absalom Father of peace; i.e., "peaceful" David's son by Maacah (2… Brother (1.) In the natural and common sense (Matt. 1:2; Luke… Swallow (1.) Heb. sis (Isa. 38:14; Jer. 8:7), the Arabic for… Ephraim Double fruitfulness ("for God had made him fruitful in the… Palace Used now only of royal dwellings, although originally meaning simply… Jordan Heb. Yarden, "the descender;" Arab. Nahr-esh-Sheriah, "the watering-place" the chief… Adoram See [18]ADONIRAM. Israel The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at… Priest The Heb. kohen, Gr. hierus, Lat. sacerdos, always denote one…