Summary: Sheba led a rebellion, and took away all the men of Israel (v.2). But Judah stayed with David. David ordered that Abishai and Joab go to hunt down Sheba (v.6). Joab killed Amasa, and he gathered the troops to continue to hunt down Sheba (v.13). They surrounded Sheba (v.15). As they were breaking down the door (v.16), a wise woman told Joab that the city was innocent (v.19). Joab promised to spare the city, if they will give over Sheba (v.21). The city decapitated Sheba, and the city was spared (v.22).
(20:1) After all of this peacemaking, Sheba—a Benjamite—starts to lead a revolt. The man is a “worthless fellow” or literally a “man of Belial.”[] The fact that he is a Benjamite could imply that he is loyal to the deceased King Saul, who was from that tribe (1 Sam. 9:1).
(20:2) Specifically, he tries to lead a civil war by getting the northern half of the nation (Israel) to revolt against the southern half (Judah). Judah stays loyal to David.
(20:3) By sleeping with his son Absalom (2 Sam. 16:21), they had made in irrevocable choice. At the same time, what would’ve happened to them if they refused to sleep with Absalom? They were in a moral dilemma. David seems to make a wise solution: He provided for the women’s needs, but he left them widowed. The term here refers to “virtual incarceration.”[]
(20:4-7) David tells his new military commander, Amasa, to gather the troops (v.4). Because he took too long (v.5), David sends Abishai and Joab to seek-and-destroy Sheba before he can bunker down in a fortified city (vv.6-7). Remember, Abishai had formely led a third of David’s troops into battle (2 Sam. 18:2). Abishai was an experienced military man.
(20:8-10) Abishai and Joab meet Amasa at “modern el-Jib, six miles northwest of Jerusalem.”[] Joab must have been bitter that David had promoted Amasa over himself. It seems like Abishai colluded with Joab in this murder.
Amasa had been Absalom’s commander beforehand (2 Sam. 17:25), and he lost the battle to David’s men (2 Sam. 18:7). He also failed at getting to Sheba in time (vv.4-5), and he failed to see this trap laid by Joab.
(20:11-13) One of Joab’s men called on the soldiers to follow Joab, rather than the dead Amasa. After staring at the dead body of Amasa for a little while (v.12), this must have been pretty persuasive to them (!!).
(20:14-15) Joab follows Sheba into a town called Abel Beth-maacah. Joab started to break down the walls.
(20:16-21) A wise woman comes outside of the city to speak with Joab. Joab had respect for “wise women” (cf. 2 Sam. 14:20). She realizes that Joab only wants the head of Sheba—not to destroy the town. So, she promises Joab to kill Sheba in order to spare the town.
Sheba “lifted up his hand” in the same way that Absalom had “lifted up his hand” (v.21; cf. 2 Sam. 18:28). Joab is linking Sheba’s rebellion with Absalom’s rebellion.
(20:22) This woman persuades the entire town to decapitate Sheba in order to spare the town. Consequently, Joab decides to honor his half of the bargain, and leave the town alone.
(20:23) Joab takes back his role as the chief military commander.
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was one of David’s mighty men (1 Chron. 27:6), who had a history of heroic military exploits (2 Sam. 23:20-23). Benaiah stays loyal to David’s line, fighting for Solomon against his enemies (1 Kings 1).
(20:24) Adoram isn’t mentioned until now. He was in charge of forced, conscripted labor, which would eventual be used for building the Temple (Deut. 20:10-11). This man is later stoned to death under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:18).
Jehoshaphat—the son of Ahilud—remains in his role as the recorder (2 Sam. 8:16).
(20:25) Sheva replaces Seraiah as the secretary.
Zadok and Abiathar were the two priests who were loyal to David.
(20:26) Ira the Jairite is only mentioned here, unless we identify him with the other men who were David’s warriors (2 Sam. 23:26, 28; 1 Chron. 11:28, 40; 27:9).
What are we to make of Joab? He killed Absalom to protect the nation. He also killed Amasa: Was this out of jealousy, or Amasa’s incompetence as a leader? At the same time, he isn’t so bloodthirsty that he would destroy the entire town to kill Sheba. He could be reasoned with. However we look at Joab, he was a man of war.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 1043.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 1044.
Ronald F. Youngblood, “1, 2 Samuel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 1045.
James is an elder at Dwell Community Church, where he teaches classes in theology, apologetics, and weekly Bible studies.
