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Civil war, betrayal, murder, and a wise woman who saves an entire city—2 Samuel 20 is one of the Bible’s most gripping chapters, revealing the devastating consequences of selfish ambition. Discover how this story points beyond Joab and David to Jesus Christ, the true Servant King Who gave His life so the guilty could be saved.

Sheba. David’s kingdom is still fractured and is still in danger of escalating civil war as Sheba, from King Saul’s family tribe of Benjamin, calls on the northern tribes of Israel to stand against David.

10 Concubines. If David had not taken these concubines in the first place, this would never have been an issue. David no longer treats this women as his, but continues to take care of their living expenses until their dying day. As we have noted several times in this teaching series…Forgiven sin restores relationships, but forgiven sin might still leave scars. David’s sin against Uriah and Bathsheba has left a long and painful trail of consequences, including these ladies who now live like unmarried widows the rest of their lives.

Amasa had been the general of Abasalom’s troops who fought against David. He is also David’s nephew, whom David later put in charge of his troops in an attempt to unite Israel & Judah under his kingship. But when Amasa didn’t complete his task within three days, David handed the reins over to Abishai, the brother of David’s former top general, Joab. Both these men were David’s nephews as well. (David had two sisters: Zeruiah, whose sons were Joab, Abishai, and Asahel; and Abigail, whose son was Amasa.)

Sheba the rebel, needed to be stopped before he could reach a fortified city and assemble an army.

Remember, Joab had been the top general of David’s army. Now Joab been demoted beneath Amasa, and his own brother (Abishai) has been given command over Joab’s men.

Joab acts as if he cares for the well-being of Amasa (his 1st cousin) - whom he calls “my brother.” Joab seems to cause his sword to fall out in full view of Amasa. When Joab picks it up with his left hand it is not seen as a threat (most men were right-handed). So it looks like he is simply picking up his sword that fell out rather than drawing his sword to strike. Then Joab welcomes Amasa to kiss him on the face before he betrays him.

Can you imagine the scene? Troops who had briefly served under Amasa STOP, shocked to see their general gutted and writhing in pain as his life oozes out.

There is no mourning for Amasa here. No one pauses to honor him. No one stops the mission to care for him. Instead, they drag him off the road like trash and cover him in a field to die…and keep marching. And now the troops turn back to Joab - the murderer who takes out his rivals - as their leader. 

• One of sin’s greatest dangers is not merely that it leads us to do evil, but that it causes us to march right past it, without pain or pause, with no care unless it affects US.

Now the entire city will suffer because of 1 man - Sheba. No one will go IN or come OUT (besiegement). Whatever food/water is inside the city wall is all that they will have, until all this is over.

Now a wise woman attempts to keep Joab’s army from destroying an entire city because of one rebel hiding inside it. 

• Do you remember when Abigail, the wife of Nabal, talked sense into David when he became enraged at her husband? David gathered four hundred of his men and was on the way to kill Nabal and all his men. (1 Samuel 25:13, 21–22). Abigail intercepted David without telling her husband. She loaded donkeys with bread, wine, sheep, grain, raisins, and figs and rode out to meet David (1 Samuel 25:18–20). David recognized that God used her actions to keep David from killing in rage & revenge (1 Sam 25:32-34).

Abel has been a town that helped settle disputes, like a mother would do for her children. WHY is Joab coming to kill a “mother” in Israel? Joab is quick to respond to this emotional imagery from this wise woman, saying that this is not his intent. And then he shares who he is really after - Sheba.

This woman’s wisdom is about to spare the city. Killing Sheba and throwing his head over the wall stopped the revolt and sent David’s men back to Jerusalem.

Joab is back in charge of David’s army. HOW could this happen? The text doesn’t explain exactly why David permitted this, but Joab had the loyalty of the army, had assumed command, and had successfully ended the rebellion. David may have believed that removing him immediately would create yet another crisis. David needed Joab more than he wanted Joab. Joab got things done. Ironically, Joab often accomplished David’s goals while repeatedly violating David’s heart. That explains why David waits until Solomon’s reign to finally deal with Joab for the murder of Abner & Amasa (1 Kings 2:5-6).  

Followers of Jesus are expected to COMPLEMENT each other, not COMPETE with each other. We are called to serve Jesus together & to celebrate together. 

• Joab eliminated competitors. 
• Jesus developed servants. When they jockeyed for position he taught them and showed them what He expected.

The wise woman lobbied to have Sheba, the one guilty of treason, killed to protect the innocent in the city.

The GUILTY one died to deliver the INNOCENT from judgment.

• In the New Covenant, the INNOCENT ONE dies to deliver the GUILTY ONES from judgment.

Joab preserved his position by taking the lives of others. Jesus established His kingdom by giving His life for others.

Practice the Presence of Jesus - talk, think, & act like Jesus is NEAR & WORTHY of your life!

Rather than jockeying for position, be GRACIOUS to brothers & sisters by looking for ways to serve & encourage them this week.