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2 Samuel 19-20 It is wonderful to be here with you all tonight... Tonight we are going to be looking at 2 Samuel 19-20, if you want to make your way there. Last time we were together, the revolt against ’s Kingdom had reached its climax. , David’s heir, had stirred up a very successful rebellion with the help of a very wise man, Ahithophel. Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather, and although he had immense wisdom for those he served, he proved to be foolish in regards to himself. He allowed bitterness to seed within his heart, and it grew and metastasized within him, until only revenge would satisfy his great pain. He most likely groomed the young influential Absalom. And as David fled from his own son’s army, David feared his former councilor more than all the weapons in the hands of the soldiers taking Jerusalem. David was a master at using clandestine agents, so he sent an agent within Absalom’s leadership, Hushai the Archite. Hushai was told to counter the counsel of Ahithophel, and David prayed 2 Sam 15:20 "O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!" P a g e | 2

God answered this prayer by using Hushai. Remember Ahithophel gave the better advice, strike now, and strike hard, and take out David alone. We get a glimpse that Ahithophel was the mastermind behind much of this rebellion, when he does not even trust his puppet king to accomplish the maneuver, he offers to do it himself. And this was the best option, but remember Hushai was a master wordsmith. He captured everyone’s imaginations with pictures and illustrations, and his plan was meant to slow down Absalom’s attack, so David and his warriors could ready themselves. Hushai played on the young prince’s ego, and pictured him at the head of the great army. Hushai’s sermon won the day, and Ahithophel knew at that moment David would regain the throne. Ahithophel took his own life in order to avoid going through the shame and consequences he would endure when the rebels lost. Absalom knew he would never be the true king until his father was dead, and he gathered his forces to go and finish his father and band of misfits off. But Hushai’s advice proved to be very effective, and Absalom was a royal, sheltered, and ungrateful brat, not a military commander. P a g e | 3

David however, had his loyal misfits, who were battle trained and skilled in warcraft. David stayed at the command post and sent out three companies of warriors. They found the unskilled Absalom caught in a tree by his gorgeous hair. And ran him through with three spears, and then had his armor bearers finish the job, and they buried the proud prince in a pit covered with stones. It was a solid victory, and David’s warriors were in high spirits until the news reached David, and the people were stunned to see their King weeping, and mourning his treacherous son. David wished he had died in Absalom’s place, it was a horrible reward for those who sacrificed so much to keep David’s throne secure... And as we get into our text tonight, understand that David’s grief here has immobilized him, and in doing so he is neglecting his position as leader of God’s people. 19:1 And Joab was told, "Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, "The king is grieved for his son." 3 And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the P a g e | 4 king cried out with a loud voice, "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!" Now David’s grief here was more than just a grief for losing his son. This was much deeper than that, this was also guilt. David is blaming himself for what his son had become. David was a terrible parent, he sheltered and pampered his children, and he never took care of business in his home. He had grown children who were still adolescent in their minds. Absalom never had to become a man, and in his sheltered and undisciplined state, he became a monster. There were troubles within David’s children that David never rightfully addressed. On top of this, David had sinned against the Lord, regarding the sin of Bathsheba, and the murder of her husband. David was told that the sword would not depart from his household. The shameful thing he did in secret God was going to do openly to his own household. David was feeling the remorse of his failure as a father and the guilt of his sin’s consequence. P a g e | 5

David wished he was dead, instead of living with all this regret and shame. You know growing up, my dad was always a patient man when it came to discipline. I would do something terrible when he was at work, like one time shooting a hole in a window with my BB gun. Now, my dad would come home from work, and I knew the belt was coming... you see us kids back then did not have the protection the kids have today. The only protection we had, was to behave ourselves. Anyway, he would not handle things immediately sometimes, and yet we always knew we were going to pay for our choices. Sometimes through dinner even, as a heaviness just rests over my heart and mind, my head would be hanging low, all my sisters would be looking at me with contempt, knowing that soon, I would be getting it. I would in shame, with my head low, ask them to pass the potatoes, as my sin made me an outcast from my family. And eventually, again I did not know when, I would hear, “Son go to my room.” And I would march the long dark hallway, and sit alone, scared, and angry, “Oh my family is so mean, my P a g e | 6 dad was not fair, he is the one who got me this BB gun anyway.” I would sit there just stewing over my mistake, and finally he would come in, and he would take that big leather belt off of his waste, it had his big old GTE buckle on the front. He climbed telephone poles at the time. And he would put that leather belt across my behind. And I would do the dog with worms across the carpet. I would being crying, and my father would again leave me in the room all alone. I would lay out on the bed, and just wish I was dead, because if I was dead, they would all feel so horrible about me being gone. They would find me dead, and just be sorry for the way they treated me. But my dad would come back in, after things cooled down, and he would reassure his love to me. “But dad, why do you spank me if you love me?” And he would say something like, “One day son, you will understand why I spank you better.” But he would tell me again “I love you, and you have to learn you cannot shoot holes in our window or whatever it was.” P a g e | 7

And then, after the discipline was administered, the lesson given, I could wipe tears off, go wash my face, and rejoin the family in the living room. And it was over as I was restored. And David’s remorse here is out of guilt, the chastening has taken place, and he is just wishing he was dead. He was probably thinking, “If I had just been a different parent, a better father, Absalom might have had a chance.” But it was time for David to move on you see... the chastening was done, for the most part, and it was time for David to wipe his eyes off and wash his face, and get back to work as the King. God will use a friend to do this, now with Joab’s many faults, he was a true friend to David. And Joab seemingly was never afraid to do the hard thing to help David out. Killing Absalom was one of these hard things, but necessary for sure. Now, he will go in a tell David the truth, a hard truth, but one David needs to hear. If David does not change his behavior here, these men who have put their lives in jeopardy for him, might soon turn on him, this time David will be killed and removed for good. P a g e | 8

Prov. 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. It is good and wise to have friends that will tell you the truth, even if it hurts... 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, "Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines, 6 in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. 7 Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now." 8 Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, "There is the king, sitting in the gate." So all the people came before the king. For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent. Joab tells David that he had turned their military victory into an emotional defeat. Now, it was expected for a father to mourn his own son. P a g e | 9

But leaders still need to lead, even if they are going through heartbreak. This is one of the prices to pay for leaders. Even in ministry, there is a level of expectation that spiritual leaders need to meet, and there have been times of grief in my own life, that I did not have time to properly mourn, because I was called to lead. This is part of the cost. Joab jolts David back into reality, the Kingdom was weak and faltering and David needed to regain his composure and go back to the gate of the city and lead. From their David could acknowledge his men’s brave service. We read that the people all went back to their tents, there was no triumphal entry of victorious warriors, they went away disappointed. They stole away into the city ashamed... But we see here now, with David at his proper place the people regather to him... Now the failed revolt of Absalom and Ahithophel did not automatically restore the kingdom to David’s control. And as we will see David will now maneuver to get things back to normal, we will be able to understand the desperation of Joab’s plea. P a g e | 10

There were many defectors throughout David’s Kingdom, who were willing to join the rebellion, and throughout the next few encounters, we will see David act as a wise King to gain their heart back to him. The hard lessons he has learned through his great failure actually causes him to come back stronger and more decisive as he gets control again of his Kingdom. The main thing right now is getting back to the capital Jerusalem, but on the way, there will be some tough decisions that need to be made. David must recapture the hearts of the people now... David Returns to Jerusalem 9 Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?" 11 So King David sent to and Abiathar the priests, saying, "Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, 'Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house? 12 You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?' 13 And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more P a g e | 11 also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.'" 14 So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: "Return, you and all your servants!" 15 Then the king returned and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to escort the king across the Jordan. David needed the kingdom and country to be united, and Judah had kept their distance, rightfully so. Absalom mounted his rebellion within their territory and with the support of their elders, and from the former capital in Judah. But David needed them and they needed him, David chided them, and challenged them to put their animosity aside. David was willing to forgive and move forward. And to show this, David makes a huge decision, he takes the first step toward reconciliation. He sends a message through the priests to the elders of Judah, and reminds them that they are his bone and flesh, and they should have not been so hesitant to bring him back. Then David tells them that Amasa, the commander that sided with Absalom, will be the commander of his army instead of Joab. P a g e | 12

Now some say this was a way of pushing Joab out, because he killed David’s son. But others think David is making a political move here, showing that he will not going to purge his Kingdom of defectors. Now, David’s decision may have included both reasons. But there is wisdom in David doing this, in sparing the commander of the revolt, his gracious move would have begun to win the hearts of the people. We see here in verse 14, the hearts of Judah’s citizenry went from being on red alert to wanting to reconcile with their King. By pardoning Amasa, David is pardoning all the defectors, and this complicated rift can be healed. David is using great wisdom, and offering a New Beginning, a Fresh Start for his Kingdom. And as the other tribes debated among themselves, we see now in verse 15, Judah is the only tribe to meet the returning King. Now next we will see there are some other loose ends that need to be taken care of since David came out as the Victor in this conflict... Remember that Benjamite who spit and cursed at David as he fled Jerusalem, the one Abishai wanted to kill, and David said... 2 Sam 16:6 "So let him curse, P a g e | 13 because the Lord has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'" But that was when David was in the midst of his chastening, let’s see how David deals with this man while he is back on top... 16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over the Jordan before the king. 18 Then a ferryboat went across to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. Shimei knows that his life is on the line now, the King is returning, so notice he hurried down with the men of Judah. He brought with him a thousand of the men of Benjamin to reinforce the fact that he was now supporting the returning King. Also we see the schemer Ziba with him, who threw Mephibosheth under the bus, and took all the land that was given to the son of Jonathan. Remember when David was fleeing in haste, this Ziba came and lied about Mephibosheth, that he was waiting for the kingdom to be restored to Saul’s line. P a g e | 14

And David in haste gave to Ziba what belonged to Mephibosheth. This Ziba is there at the river with his family and servants... Remember he is an opportunist, and a schemer. Remember when David fled the Royal City, he and all his family and followers had to ford across the River. But now, the kiss-ups are there with Ferry Boats. Now David pardoning Amasa, and giving him position meant a general amnesty was given to those who supported Absalom... And next we see David is a solid leader, not unstable or double-minded, he was willing to extend this even to scoundrels such as Shimei... Look at the second part of verse 18 now... David's Mercy to Shimei Now Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had crossed the Jordan. 19 Then he said to the king, "Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart. 20 For I, your servant, know that I have sinned. Therefore here I am, the first to come today of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king." P a g e | 15

21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, "Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?" 22 And David said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?" 23 Therefore the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king swore to him. And David kept his word here to Shimei, but when David was on his death bed, we see and understand that David did this for political reasons, to keep his fragile Kingdom from falling apart. David rebuked Abishai for wanting to kill Shimei here, but this was not the time. But in 1 Kings he will tell his son Solomon to keep a close eye on him. 1 Kings 2:8-9 "And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.' 9 Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood." P a g e | 16

And Solomon will put him on house arrest, and this arrogant man disobeyed Solomon, probably thinking he got away with maltreatment of his father, and Solomon actually had him killed. Shimei’s great weakness was resisting authority, he had issues in his heart with those in positions of leadership, he never dealt with those heart issues, and in the end he paid for it. Shimei did not appreciate David’s mercy or Solomon’s Grace, and his independence and arrogance finally caught up with him. Wiersbe This disdain for authority is sometimes a stain within the church. For whatever reason, sometimes Christians who struggle with God’s established authority within the church, they bounce from church to church, because of this contempt within them. It really does take a work of the Spirit to change or correct this in a person’s heart, and it is sin. The Bible instructs us in... 1 Thess. 5:12-13 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. And that is difficult for those who struggle with authority. P a g e | 17

I remember being in a men’s bible study where a man, and a few cohorts of his were just ripping on the pastor. I loved our pastor, but was young in the Lord, and did not know how to combat them... But I had just read that verse in my devotional time, and I quickly turned to it, and read it. And instead of them responding to it, they got upset even further, and I watched them take the plain meaning of this scripture and twist it all up in a pompous show of arrogance. Those men ended up eventually taking part in a terrible church split, and crippling the faith of many, because they just did not like the authority and order God had established. And you know, most, as far as I know, all of those men who were pompous seasoned Christians, do not walk with the Lord today. That spirit of rebellion is dangerous, easily offended, and is capable of disastrous results if it is not dealt with. Now, perhaps Abishai was noble in his suggestion to kill this treacherous man. But David saw the instability it would bring to the Kingdom. P a g e | 18

Sometimes the view from the top is different from those who are close but not close enough. And David is using Grace and Wisdom through this whole ordeal. After-all he is a man after God’s own heart... Look now as he clears things up with Mephibosheth... David and Mephibosheth Meet 24 Now Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace. 25 So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?" Mephibosheth, you remember was lame in his feet, and he had not cared for himself, Ziba his servant left him, and he was just a smelly mess. Now this too could be signs of mourning, and Mephibosheth could really was upset that the king was dethroned. Remember Ziba accused him of wanting to take back the throne for Saul. David believed Ziba, but here he will now give Mephibosheth a chance to speak his side. Understand in a conflict, there are always two sides. P a g e | 19

I will only meet with a husband or wife once without their spouse. I do not like entertaining one side of a conflict. I have learned that in conflict, in marriage conflict especially there are three sides to the tale, his side, and her side, and then there is truth’s side somewhere in the middle. Mephibosheth gets now to tell his side of the story, and David will have to decide what the truth...is He asks Mephibosheth why he did not go with him when he left Jerusalem. 26 And he answered, "My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, 'I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king,' because your servant is lame. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes. 28 For all my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?" 29 So the king said to him, "Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, 'You and Ziba divide the land.'" P a g e | 20

30 Then Mephibosheth said to the king, "Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house." Now Mephibosheth explains that Ziba his servant tricked him, and that he was going to saddle the crippled Mephibosheth’s donkey, but instead went off to slander him to David. Mephibosheth recites all the kindness that David has shown him, and he puts himself at the mercy of David. David knew truth lay somewhere in the middle of these two men, and he then divides the land between them both. For which, this seems much like Solomon’s reply. You remember when the two women had their children, and one died, and one stole the others and replaced hers with the dead baby. Solomon could not decide who was telling the truth, and he commanded that they rip the living baby in two... and the real mother came forward and said let her have the baby. And here David tells them to split the land, and Mephibosheth tells David to give it all to Ziba. We are not given the details of this matter, this was a petty issue, and David was in the midst of building fences not punishing those who have been unfaithful to him. P a g e | 21

This whole series of events spotlights David’s graciousness on his return to his throne. It is a model for us, to show grace and mercy to those who come against us in this life. Grace has such healing qualities. We are commanded by Jesus Luke 6:35-36 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. It is a miserable existence to live with unforgiveness and bitterness. Jesus commands us these things not for the benefit of others, but because it heals our own hearts. Understand the Bible is clear, we will be forgiven based upon the same degree we give out forgiveness in this life. Luke 6:37-38 "Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." This is our Christian mandate, and the sooner you let go, and the sooner you can offer forgiveness, the sooner your life with heal. P a g e | 22

I guarantee, if you are sitting here tonight with unforgiveness in your heart and mind; that you are living a very painful existence and you are miserable. When you obey Jesus, and you offer Grace, it will be a huge load lifted off you back, you will find freedom... David has the authority here to react with a vengeful heart, but he withholds, and keeps the peace. Next, he gets to reward a faithful friend, and precious are those people who stick by your side through thick and thin. Let’s read now starting in verse 31... David's Kindness to Barzillai 31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man. 33 And the king said to Barzillai, "Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem." 34 But Barzillai said to the king, "How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am today eighty years old. Can I discern between the good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any longer the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king? 36 P a g e | 23

Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king. And why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you." 38 And the king answered, "Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you." 39 Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place. Barzillai was one of three wealthy men who met David when he was fleeing and arrived in Mahanaim. He supplied the King with resources to feed the great company with him. He is here again, now that David is on his way to Jerusalem, he is there to see him off. Unlike the previous encounters Barzillai had no sins to confess, in fact Barzillai wanted nothing from the King. David offered to bring him to the palace and for him to finish out his life in luxury. But all he wanted is to send off his King safely, happy that the war was over. P a g e | 24

Barzillai told David he was too old for that kind of life, he wanted to be home. It is always a huge hardship for older people to uproot and try and start over. I always get phone calls from those who set out to try a life somewhere else in their retirement, and they tell me about their struggle to connect and find the kind of life they had here. They underestimated the value of the years of investing into others, and others investing into them. They were rooted with a church family, and they had friends and connections that were super important. They tell me they miss this community here. You see at first the new experience seemed exciting, but when we get older it is important to have a support system, and especially one that has been developed over the years, at church, in your work places, with our families, and our neighbors. And Barzillai is wise here, he cannot enjoy the excitement of the royal palace, but his son would be able to enjoy that new life, and adjust to it all. So Chimham his son goes, and David will reward his friend by rewarding his son. Matthew Henry says, “They that are old must not begrudge young people those delights which they P a g e | 25 themselves are past the enjoyment of, nor oblige them to retire as the do.” Barzillai went home, while Chimham went with David... The Quarrel About the King 40 Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. And all the people of Judah escorted the king, and also half the people of Israel. 41 Just then all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, "Why have our brethren, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king, his household, and all David's men with him across the Jordan?" 42 So all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "Because the king is a close relative of ours. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we ever eaten at the king's expense? Or has he given us any gift?" 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, "We have ten shares in the king; therefore we also have more right to David than you. Why then do you despise us — were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?" Yet the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. Now as the representatives of the tribes gathered to the King at Gilgal, instead of celebrating they began to fight with each other. P a g e | 26

The men of Israel were the ten northern tribes, and Judah was the southern tribe, it also absorbed the tribe of Simeon. They accused Judah of kidnapping the king. They claim their share of the king was 10, as Judah’s was only 2, they had more of a right to him. They were treating the king like some kind of stock in the market. But this conflict between Judah and Israel had deep roots, and it will eventually divide the Kingdom for good when Solomon’s son comes to the throne. Now David will have to act quick, as someone from the north tries to ignite another civil war... The Rebellion of Sheba 20:1 And there happened to be there a rebel, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet, and said: "We have no share in David, Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; Every man to his tents, O Israel!" 2 So every man of Israel deserted David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah, from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem, remained loyal to their king. Another Benjamite, Sheba, perhaps wanted to ignite support for Saul’s line here. P a g e | 27

He was looking to gather the support of the northern tribes, and seemed successful. But Sheba did not declare war immediately, he went off to gather support in the north, and dismissed the northern tribes. It will appear later that not many people gathered to him... But weaved in through this account are little separate accounts that the historian put in... Next we read... 3 Now David 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 seclusion and supported them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood. Remember Absalom defiled these poor women, and the David still cared for them, but could not go to bed with them any longer... This is another painful consequence of David’s sin, these poor woman are shamed for David’s failure. So next, the king turns to his new commander and gives him his first shot... 4 And the king said to Amasa, "Assemble the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself." 5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of P a g e | 28

Judah. But he delayed longer than the set time which David had appointed him. He was not able to gather the people, perhaps many distrusted the former rebel. So David will turn to one of his loyal mighty men, Abishai, Joab’s brother to do the job that Amasa could not do. And we will see Joab will weasel his way back to the top. Joab was a powerful man, and did not like anyone threatening his position... 6 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, lest he find for himself fortified cities, and escape us." 7 So Joab's men, with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, went out after him. And they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. Now Joab was dressed in battle armor; on it was a belt with a sword fastened in its sheath at his hips; and as he was going forward, it fell out. 9 Then Joab said to Amasa, "Are you in health, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab's hand. And he struck him with P a g e | 29 it in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 11 Meanwhile one of Joab's men stood near Amasa, and said, "Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David — follow Joab!" 12 But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came upon him halted. 13 When he was removed from the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. Though Joab had no official position he went with his brother. Joab had no love for Amasa, because he betrayed David, and led the forces against David. Perhaps too Joab was humiliated by Amasa being put into his positon. Joab and his brother Abishai were more than capable of taking care of Sheba, and Amasa was too weak, and very inexperienced. And just like they murdered Abner, Saul’s commander, they murder Amasa. Some see Joab favorably here, as he is protecting David from this man who could not be trusted, some see Joab as vengeful and murderous. P a g e | 30

And perhaps both are right. Joab was an old warrior, and easily took out Amasa, and left him in the road. Notice the historian calls them Joab’s men here in verse 7, he has taken his old position back. Amasa was left in a pool of blood, in the sight of those following him. One of Joab’s men was wise enough to move the body out of sight of the army who was standing still at the sight. The man shouts if you are with Joab you are with David... Now, Joab is never accused of a crime here, and David continued to depend on the sons of Zeruiah. Although Joab was difficult for David at times, he is seemingly a very necessary component of David’s success. He did the things David could not do himself. And they are off to handle the rebel Sheba... 14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maachah and all the Berites. So they were gathered together and also went after Sheba. 15 Then they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maachah; and they cast up a siege mound against the city, and it stood by the rampart. And all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down. P a g e | 31

16 Then a wise woman cried out from the city, "Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, 'Come nearby, that I may speak with you.'" 17 When he had come near to her, the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Hear the words of your maidservant." And he answered, "I am listening." 18 So she spoke, saying, "They used to talk in former times, saying, 'They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,' and so they would end disputes. 19 I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?" 20 And Joab answered and said, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city." So the woman said to Joab, "Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall." 22 Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem. P a g e | 32

Now we see another wise woman in the historical record of David’s Kingdom. She is the third, there was Abigail, who became David’s wife, and there was also the woman of Tekoa who Joab used to reason with David, and here this nameless mother in Israel. Evidently the town Abel was known for its wisdom in Israel, and we see this wise woman was able to persuade the leaders in the city to hand over Sheba’s head. We see here his following was not that great, as they let this city kill him. Her actions crushed the rebellion, and saved a whole city and all its people... So we will conclude with David’s new cabinet after his return to Jerusalem, and it is pretty much the same as recorded in Chapter 8... David's Government Officers 23 And Joab was over all the army of Israel; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 Adoram was in charge of revenue; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 25 Sheva was scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were the priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was a chief minister under David. P a g e | 33

The only knew office here is that of Adoram, it reads he is in charge of the revenue, but that is more likely to mean the forced labor. This office will be much more prominent under Solomon’s rule. Now the last three chapters of 2 Samuel are considered an appendixes, they were inserted to kind of complete David’s story... And next week we will have finished another book in our quest to go through the whole Bible together. I hope you can join us as we finish out 2 Samuel. Let’s pray... These guys are here to pray for you if you have any prayer requests this evening, or even praise reports... Come up and be ministered too.