NOT AGAIN! 2nd Samuel 20 Tensions between Judah and the ten northern tribes began to escalate when Judah and half of Israel escorted David back to Jerusalem. Those who had rebelled challenged what they considered favoritism to be shown to David because he was from Judah. They argued that they should have been involved in this event because there were ten tribes of them. The seeds of rebellion were still there, waiting to bring bitter fruit.
Tribal jealousy initiated by Sheba, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, started a latent rebellion again. He lived in the mountains of Ephraim, so he was out of his place in trying to take leadership in the northern tribes. He was a troublemaker by nature and a rebel at heart. For some reason he still had rebellion in his heart and knew others also who resented the people of Judah and David as the king because he was from the “kingly” tribe. Sheba rallied the northern people based on a long-standing animosity between them and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The potential for destroying David’s reign as king and dividing the kingdom was more serious than Absalom’s rebellion. David knew action had to be taken before Sheba set himself up as king.
"Jealousy is as cruel as the grave," and following close behind it is hatred and bitterness that soon leads to division and even death. Jealousy makes any fellowship or work of God unstable because people look to other people instead of to the Lord for guidance. Discontent and division go together and should never be ignored or underestimated. When one or both of these seem imminent, action should be taken to find the source of the problem and deal with it in a scriptural way. Our Lord Jesus Christ and the writers of the New Testament give instructions as to what must be done. To neglect to take definite action can divide or even destroy an assembly of God’s people.
Sheba was a man without honor who was defiant toward David, the Lord's anointed king. He may have wanted to rule the kingdom himself. But whatever the reason was behind his antagonism, it could not be left unchallenged to fester a sore among the people of God. Some problems can be settled reasonably, and others must be dealt with firmly and finally.
For some reason, Amasa, who had just been made chief officer by David even though he had served as leader of Absalom's army, was too slow to carry out the king's command. He was to assemble an army in three days to go after Sheba before he got organized. David sent Abishai to lead his private army, along with Joab, his brother, and the men he had previously led. Amasa met them with troops he had gathered at Gibeon, seven miles north of Jerusalem, but there, Joab took his side deceptively and killed him. Joab was loyal to David, and there may have been a question about Amasa, who had led Absalom’s rebellion. Joab wanted to do away with Amasa because he had taken his position as leader.
Even though he was Joab's cousin, he should have been wary of Joab's friendly greeting. The violent death of Amasa by a violent, ruthless, vengeful, pitiless man like Joab reminds us that "they who live by the sword shall die by the sword.” Joab was a brilliant and violent military leader who did not like to be told what to do unless it agreed with his own personal agenda. He immediately assumed control of both the conscripted army of Amasa and David’s personal army by putting out a challenge to follow him. The slowness of Amasa is not explained, but the results of the incident were decisive as the army led by Joab went one hundred miles north of Jerusalem and surrounded the city where Sheba was.
"The king's business requires haste" is not some mere suggestion. When we are under divine commission, our time is not our own. Everything we do should be done to accomplish our God-given task as effectively, efficiently, and quickly as possible. "The vows of God" are on us. There are depths of hatred in some people that are hard to understand. Such animosity may be caused by pressures applied to a person that seems to be, and maybe are, unfair. It may be the result of unfulfilled ambition. It may be because of the life circumstances into which we were born.
Whatever the cause or reasons we may seek to blame for what happens to us, each of us is personally responsible for our response to life's events and the circumstances in which we are found. Blaming others for any misfortunes that happen to me does nothing to absolve me from my response, reaction, and attitude. No one has the power to make me lose self-control. Stubbornness and self-will have both positive and negative results. When a person is under the authority of another, our obligation is to obey that person.
One hundred miles north of Jerusalem was the city of Abel, known throughout Israel as a place of fair judgment and wise counsel from those who lived there. It was at this place that Sheba and those who followed him went. When Joab's army surrounded and besieged the city, and ramparts were being built against the walls to break into the city, a wise woman, “A mother in Israel,” came to the wall to talk to Joab. Perhaps a man may have died if he came to talk to Joab, but this wise woman wanted clarification as to what exactly was the cause of this attack. Her understanding of God’s intention for Israel averted a terrible tragedy that would have fallen on many if they had followed the deceitful rebel. This true "mother in Israel" quickly understood the problem, used wise words, and had a plan of action to defuse the whole matter. The trouble-maker was dealt with, and the matter was concluded when the trumpet sounded across the land. The civil war was truly over, and peace was restored to God's people.
Most of the answers to a problem can be found if the problem can be stated briefly in one sentence. Articulating the causes of division and unrest in understandable terms takes wisdom and careful thought. When that is done, there are usually only one or two alternatives to avoid impending disaster. If left unchallenged, one man out of touch with God and His people can create terrible havoc. There is only one way to deal with those who cause division. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
People who sow discontent and those who are inclined to follow them need to be made to take time to consider what the possible outcome would be if they fail, as well as what they would achieve if they succeed in their revolt. To be found resisting the Lord and His people is guaranteed to lose in the end. To fight against what God has established is futile and fatal.
It didn’t take David long to realize the kingdom had to be reorganized quickly to maintain order and preserve peace. He defined areas of responsibility and named those who he chose to take responsibility for them so there would be no question as to who was in charge in each sphere of service.
One man with self-centered ambition and words of malice against those who lead God’s people can bring dissension and confusion that is hard to stop. When contention starts, it affects everyone, from the meekest and poorest to the strongest and most gifted, making it almost impossible to cope with the problem. When someone with wisdom can see some way out, there is hope for a solution to end the bitterness and hurt that has been dividing people. Hopefully, the opposing parties will listen to the one God sent.
Usually, the cause is pride, which raises its insidious head in those who are not satisfied to follow those who have cared for the flock. They often will not listen to advice because they fear their ambition and plans will fail. Others are touchy with easily hurt feelings, and their complaints seem reasonable to the changeable novice. They challenge leaders simply because they lead. Such people want to control others but avoid the work of the office.
When these times come, and that kind of person seeks to lead, beware because there is no easy solution. Some may leave when they cannot get their own way. Rebuke and avoidance are biblical responses to that situation. Those who remain will not have much to say because they understand these people are the people of God. He has the right to step in and control the whole matter. He alone is the Master and Lord of the people of God, and He knows what is needed to heal and make things right.