Sheba rebels against David                                             verse 1- 2 

And there happened to be there a man of Belial

whose name was Sheba – the son of Bichri a Benjamite

and he blew the trumpet and said

                  We have no part in David

                              neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse

                                          every man to his tents O Israel

So every man of Israel went up from after David

and followed Sheba the son of Bichri

      BUT the men of Judah clave unto their king

                  from Jordan even to Jerusalem 

David sets the left behind concubines in seclusion    verse 3

 And 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 ward

                                    and fed them – BUT went not in unto them

So they were shut up unto the day of their death – living in widowhood 

David orders Amasa to assemble the troops            verse 4- 5

 Then said the king to Amasa

            Assemble me the men of Judah within three days

and be you here present

So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah

            but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him

 David assigns Abishai to go to battle                              verse 6

 And David said to Abishai

            Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom

                        take you your lord’s servants – and pursue after him

                                    lest he get him fenced cities – and escape us

 Joab meets with Amasa                                                    verse 7- 8

 And there went out after him Joab’s men – and the

Cherethites – Pelethites – the mighty men

                        and they went out of Jerusalem

                                    to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri

When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon

            Amasa went before them

And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him

            and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins

in the sheath thereof

                                    and as he went forth it fell out

 Joab kills Amasa                                                                verse 9- 10

 And Joab said to Amasa

            Are you in health – my brother?

And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him

            BUT Amasa took no heed of the sword that was in Joab’s hand

                        so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib

                                    and shed out his bowels to the ground

                                                and struck him not again – and he died

So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri 

Amasa’s body had to be removed                                verse 11- 13

 And one of Joab’s men stood by him – and said

            He that favored Joab – and he that is for David – let him go after Joab

And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway

            and when the man saw that all the people stood still

                        he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field

                                    and cast a cloth upon him

                                                when he saw that every one that came by him

stood still

When he was removed out of the highway

            all the people went on after Joab

                        to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri

 Joab besieged Sheba                                                       verse 14- 15

 And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel – and to Beth-maachah

and all the Berites –  and they were gathered together

and went also after him

And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah

and they cast up a bank against the city – and it stood in the trench

and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall

to throw it down

 Wise woman negotiates for peace                               verse 16- 19

 Then cried a wise woman out of the city

            Hear – hear – say – I pray you – unto Joab

                        Come near hither – that I may speak with you

And when he was come near unto her – the woman said

            Are you Joab?

And he answered

            I am he

Then she said unto him

            Hear the words of your handmaid

And he answered

            I do hear

Then she spoke – saying

            They were wont to speak in old time – saying

                        They shall surely ask counsel at Abel

and so they ended the matter

                        I am one of them that 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 the LORD?

 Joab wants Sheba                                                             verse 20- 21

 And Joab answered and said

            Far be it – far be it from me – that I should swallow up or destroy

            The matter is not so – BUT a man of mount Ephraim

                        Sheba the son of Bichri by name

                                    hath lifted up his hand against the king

                                                even against David

            DELIVER him only – and I will depart from the city

And the woman said unto Joab

            BEHOLD – his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall

 Sheba’s head thrown from city                                         verse 22

 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom

            and they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri

                        and cast it out to Joab

And he blew a trumpet – and they retired from the city

            every man to his tent

And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king 

 Officers of David’s reign                                                verse 23- 26

 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel

and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites – Pelethites

                        and Adoram was over the tribute

                                    and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder

                                                and Sheva was scribe

                                                            and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests

                                                                        and Ira also the Jairite was a chief                                                                                               ruler about David 

COMMENTARY:           

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers 

: 1        And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son             of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tent, O Israel. (1100 “Belial” [baliya’al] mean worthlessness, the quality of being useless, good for nothing, wicked, ungodly, evil, naughty, unprofitable, or base fellow)

DEVOTION:  Almost immediately there was a rebellion against David as he set up his kingdom again after the rebellion of Absalom. Here is a man from the tribe of Benjamin who thought the king should be someone from the tribe of Saul instead of from the tribe of Judah.

He called for all the men of the other tribes to follow him instead of David. He wanted to end the dynasty of David. The men of Israel followed him. Those who didn’t follow him went back home without showing loyalty to David.

David had to deal with this second rebellion as soon as he tried to get his house in order again. So he had to call his new general into action to gather the troops and go after Sheba.

So we find that one rebellion is followed by another rebellion. This can happen in our life as we see one challenge followed by another challenge to see if we are depending on the LORD instead of ourselves to help us out of each challenge HE allows in our life.

We have to face each challenge with the knowledge that our strength comes from the LORD. Many human beings will let us down but the LORD will never let us down. HE keeps HIS promises to us.

We will see that even his generals were fighting with one another during this time period. He had to turn to the LORD for help. There are men and women who are not following the LORD even in the church. Our goal is to try to even help them if they are willing to be helped.

CHALLENGE:  We have to do the same each day. Our hope is in the LORD!!! 

 DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers 

: 5        So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. (309 “tarried” [achar] means defer, slack, delayed, hinder, hinder, to take longer to do something than planned, scheduled, or required, prove hesitant, or hesitate)

DEVOTION:  Not fulfilling our responsibility in a timely manner can be a problem for many believers. We can be given a assignment of service to the LORD but we delay getting it done. Sometimes we can come up with excuses for not getting it done but usually the only excuse is that we didn’t put our whole heart into the project that needed to be done.

This was an important project for Amasa. There was a rebellion that had to be put down quickly or there would be not kingdom of Israel. The tribes would be divided and the enemies would use this against the different tribes of Israel. United they were a strong force but divided they might not be able to stand up against the enemy that might be coming against them.

David knew that time was important to end the rebellion. Amasa seemed to be taking his time and didn’t get the job done, so David gave the assignment to Abishai. He knew that something had to happen fast.

When you are given an assignment that is within your power to complete to help the family or church or community to move forward, how fast do you act when asked? That is a question each of us has to answer when given an assignment. It is part of our testimony. We establish a reputation of someone who can get the job done or not get it done.

CHALLENGE:  We should be ones who know how to get something done in a timely manner. It is not always easy but with the help of the LORD we can do all things that bring glory to HIM.

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: 9        And Joab said to Amasa, Are you in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. (5401 “ kiss” [nashaq] means to touch with the lips, gesture of mutual relationship, gesture of submission, or respect)

This gesture of submission was given by Joab to Amasa with the thoughts that they were going to be friends. Joab didn’t like the idea that Amasa was the leader of Absalom’s army and then became the leader of David’s army to keep the peace. Joab was a rebellious general. He didn’t want to give up his authority to anyone including a relative. So he pretended to submit to him and give him a gesture of peace with the sign of respect only to use his sword to kill him. We find in the New Testament that Judas came up to Jesus in the garden and gave him a kiss but it was a sign to the army of the priests that HE was the one they were seeking. It was the kiss of deception, just like this kiss that was given by Joab.

People can deceive one another by pretending to like someone and yet be plotting their destruction. This sign of a mutual relationship of love and respect should mean something between individuals. Today we use the handshake or hug to show that we care for someone. Sometimes even a kiss is given but all of this showing of affection should be genuine and not fake like Joab did here to Amasa.

It is rare today in America for men to kiss men. I kiss my sons on the neck because it is a sign of my genuine love for them. I want the LORD to bless them and keep them safe. The same is true with my relationship with their families. It is genuine with no evil intent.

Our relationship with fellow believers should be one of mutual respect and the desire to see them blessed of the LORD. We should do everything in our power to help them mature in the faith and receive the help they need to live the life the LORD wants each of us to live in community with one another.

Our family should include those in our local body of believers. There should be a closeness that nothing can separate except sin. When this happens there should be a desire to restore the relationship after confession of sin. This should be done as soon as possible between believers.

There should be no deception of relationship between believers. There should be no desire to hurt a fellow believer by pretending to be a friend. Those who pretend are just looking for a reason to hurt the other person when they get a chance. This is not a Christian attitude or action.

CHALLENGE: Be aware that some people who act like your friend might be looking for an excuse to hurt you.  Choose your friends wisely)                    

 DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers 

: 19      I am one of them that 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 the LORD? (517 “mother” [’em] means metropolis, chief town of a district, important city of Israel, capital, honored city, or helps and protects an object (Israel). 

Rebellion against God’s appointed leader is always a sin. One of the problems of our human nature is that we all want to be number one. This fact has caused problems throughout the ages. In the nation of Israel everyone wanted to be the king, even when there already was one. Each city in Israel was important. Each city had to make a choice on whom they would follow after the rebellion of Absalom. Here was Sheba rebelling against King David. He thought that he was a better man than David.

He had to be removed. He was hiding in the city of Abel. Joab was beating on the walls of the city. The wise woman met with Joab to tell him that he was about to destroy a city that cares for Israel. It was a city that was noted for discerning which action should be followed. It was an honored city that was about to be completely destroyed.

She stated that this city was peaceable and faithful to Israel. Joab told her that he just wanted Sheba’s head and he would leave. She went back to the people of the city and told them their choices. She provided the head and they left.

Sometimes one member of a family, can cause problems. Sometimes one person in a city can cause problems. Sometimes one member of a church, can cause problems. There has to be a solution to the problem. Joab saw only one solution to this problem. The rebellion was to end.

The followers of Christ need to deal with problems in their personal life and in the life of the church. Sometimes a whole church can be destroyed over one person in the congregation. One person can cause division in the church. The LORD does not want division in the church. HE wants us to worship in a Biblical church led by Biblical leaders who are doctrinally sound.

These matters must be resolved Biblically. Too often we want to resolve them our way and not the LORD’S way. Too often gossip is used or some call them “prayer requests” which is always a sin. We need to be wise in our battles. We must discern who the real enemy is to the church. Division is an enemy. Satan loves to see the church members divided.

The Gospel of Matthew is one text that deals with how we are to deal with personal matters involving the church. The process has to be followed. If it is not followed, we are not acting Biblically.

CHALLENGE: Search the Word of God for answers to questions that arise in our Biblical institutions: Family, Church and Nation. Watch for good leader) 

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY 

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone) 

SOUL 

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God) 

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group) 

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead) 

LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)   verse 19

Inheritance of the LORD                                             verse 19 

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)    

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels) 

Man of Belial                                                             verse 1

Killing of Amasa                                                       verse 10 

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins) 

Peaceable                                                                   verse 19

Faithful                                                                      verse 19

Inheritance                                                                 verse 19

Wisdom                                                                      verse 22 

Israel (Old Testament people of God) 

Rebellion by Sheba                                                   verse 1- 22

Death of Amasa                                                         verse 4- 12 

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

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DONATIONS:

Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org  Also if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method.  Thank you.

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QUOTES regarding passage

A new and ominous figure—Adoniram—makes his appearance in the royal cabinet (v.24). He is in charge of the corvee, the age-old institution (cf. ANET, p. 485 n. 7) that involved impressing prisoners of war into “forced labor” (mas) on such projects as the building of highways, temples, and palaces. Foreseen as early as the time of Moses (cf. Deut 20:10–11), it was apparently inaugurated in Israel’s monarchy by David at least partially in anticipation of the construction of a temple by his son Solomon (see 7:12–13 and comments). In choosing Adoniram, however, “David had appointed a man who was to play a prominent part in the apostasy of the Northern Kingdom, 1 Kings 12:18 f.” (Carlson, p. 180). (Youngblood, R. F. (1992). 1, 2 Samuel. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. 3, p. 1049). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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20:23–26. Apparently, David tolerated Joab’s assassination of Amasa for Joab appears in this list of David’s royal administrators. Joab was over Israel’s entire army. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was leader of David’s special troops, the Kerethites and Pelethites (see comments on 8:15–18). Benaiah eventually replaced Joab at the beginning of Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 2:35; 4:4). Adoniram (Heb. “Adoram“) was in charge of conscripted labor gangs, a position he retained in the government of Solomon. (In 1 Kings 4:6 and 5:14 the Heb. has “Adoniram,” a longer form of his name.) Jehoshaphat … was the recorder (or chronicler). Sheva was official scribe, evidently having succeeded Seraiah (2 Sam. 8:17). Zadok and Abiathar remained as chief priests. Finally Ira the Jairite was David’s special minister, having succeeded the king’s own sons in that capacity (see comments on 8:18 for the meaning of ḵōhēn in 20:26, usually rendered “priest”). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Samuel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 475–476). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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The chapter closes with a second listing of David’s officers (8:15–18), and two new officers are added: Adoram (or Adoniram) was in charge of the forced labor, and Ira the Jairite served as David’s chaplain. The “forced labor” was done by prisoners of war, but Israelites were occasionally conscripted to assist with government building projects. During Solomon’s reign and after, the officer in charge of these labor projects didn’t have an easy time of it (1 Kings 4:6; 5:14; 12:18ff; 2 Chron. 10:18–19).Now we must back up a bit to discover how Joab regained the command of David’s army. (Wiersbe, W. W. (2002). Be restored (p. 129). Colorado Springs, CO: Victor.)

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Ver. 23. Now Joab was over all the host of Israel, &c.] Established in the post in which he formerly was; either having been never displaced, which though David thought to do, he was not able to effect it, because of his power and influence with the people; or if he had displaced him, which by some things in this chapter seemed to be the case, yet Amasa being dead, and the rebellion crushed by Joab, which still made him more haughty, and increased his popularity, David saw it most advisable to replace him; and because mention is made of him, as established in his office as general over the whole army, an account is given of the rest of David’s officers; and the rather, as it was a sort of beginning his reign anew, after quelling the above rebellions: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites, and over the Pelethites; was continued in his post, see ch. 8:18. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 653). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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                          FROM MY READING

Mark 11

Jesus is perceived as an earthly king as He rides into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey.

INSIGHT

When Jesus rides into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, why does the crowd rush out to greet Him? The answer is found in Jewish culture and history. In Old Testament times, one of the ways a king was inaugurated was to get on a donkey and have a large retinue of people walk along behind him shouting, “Long live the King!”

The crowd in the temple wants to make Jesus king. When they see Him riding toward them on a donkey, they use it as an opportunity to precipitate a coronation. That He was crucified shortly afterward indicates that they were looking

only for a national leader rather than a personal Savior. How do you see Him?

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Life by Death
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

This profound confidence comes at the conclusion of a threefold summary of Paul’s experience while serving the Lord Jesus, as well as his deep bond with the church at Philippi. The “salvation” of which Paul speaks references victory in this life as much as the eternal rescue at the end.

Initially, the confidence comes “through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19). Christian leaders covet the prayers of those with whom they serve. Twice, Paul specifically asked the Thessalonian church to pray for him (1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). Most of us are familiar with the promise that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Should we be surprised when such prayer brings boldness?
There is also the experience that the “supply” of the Spirit of God engenders faith. God’s providential care, experienced during the testing of our life, produces a growing hope and confidence (Romans 5:4-5). It is most often true that we learn more of God’s faithfulness in times of need than in times of plenty.
Then there is an “earnest expectation and…hope” that result in “boldness” (Philippians 1:20). Growing confidence in the Lord’s provision and protection undergirds an anticipation for God’s direction and wisdom. Expecting something to happen is the flip side of hope. Experience in kingdom work brings spiritual joy and peace (Romans 15:13).
Thus, the confident statement “now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:20- 21). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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Hosting Royalty

                                  So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.

                                                        Galatians 3:26

After meeting the Queen of England at a ball in Scotland, Sylvia and her husband received a message that the royal family would like to visit them for tea. Sylvia started cleaning and prepping, nervous about hosting the royal guests. Before they were due to arrive, she went outside to pick some flowers for the table, her heart racing. Then she sensed God reminding her that He’s the King of kings and that He’s with her every day. Immediately she felt peaceful and thought, “After all, it’s only the Queen!”

Sylvia is right. As the apostle Paul noted, God is the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15) and those who follow Him are “children of God” (Galatians 3:26). When we belong to Christ, we’re heirs of Abraham (v. 29). We no longer are bound by division—such as that of race, social class, or gender—for we’re “all one in Christ Jesus” (v. 28). We’re children of the King.

Although Sylvia and her husband had a marvelous meal with the Queen, I don’t anticipate receiving an invitation from the monarch anytime soon. But I love the reminder that the highest King of all is with me every moment. And that those who believe in Jesus wholeheartedly (v. 27) can live in unity, knowing they’re God’s children.

How could holding onto this truth shape the way we live today?

                              By Amy Boucher Pye, Our Daily Bread