2 Samuel Chapter 20

What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 20?

Introduction to 2 Samuel 20

2 Samuel 20 presents a pivotal moment in King David’s reign, chronicling another rebellion that threatens to tear apart the kingdom of Israel. The chapter opens with Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, inciting a revolt against David immediately following Absalom’s failed rebellion. This dramatic narrative showcases the ongoing challenges David faced in maintaining unity among the tribes of Israel and exemplifies how quickly peace can unravel when discord takes root.

This chapter is particularly significant as it reveals the delicate balance between tribal loyalties and national unity in ancient Israel, while also highlighting the crucial role of wise leadership in times of crisis. Through the strategic actions of Joab and the wisdom of a woman from Abel Beth Maakah, we see how divine providence works through human agency to preserve David’s kingdom.

Context of 2 Samuel 20

The events of 2 Samuel 20 unfold in the wake of Absalom’s rebellion and death, as recorded in chapters 18-19. David has just returned to Jerusalem, but the reconciliation between Judah and the northern tribes remains fragile. The tension between these factions, exacerbated by David’s preferential treatment of Judah during his return journey (2 Samuel 19:11-15), creates an opportunity for Sheba to exploit these divisions.

Within the broader narrative of 2 Samuel, this chapter serves as a sobering reminder that even after David’s greatest victory over Absalom’s rebellion, challenges to his throne persist. It demonstrates how the consequences of David’s earlier sins, as prophesied by Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:10, continue to ripple through his kingdom: “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house.”

In the larger context of Scripture, this chapter illustrates the ongoing struggle between God’s appointed leadership and human rebellion, foreshadowing similar challenges that would face future kings of Israel and Judah. It also provides a powerful contrast to the perfect kingdom that would one day be established by the Messiah, where true unity and peace would reign.

Ancient Key Word Study

• Worthless fellow (בְּלִיַּעַל, beliyyaal) – This term in verse 1 describes Sheba and literally means “without worth” or “lacking benefit.” In biblical Hebrew, it often denotes someone who actively opposes God’s established order. The word later evolved to become “Belial,” a name for Satan in Second Temple literature.
• Blow the trumpet (תָּקַע בַּשּׁוֹפָר, taqa bashofar) – The act of blowing the shofar in verse 1 was a significant military and political signal in ancient Israel. This action by Sheba represents an official declaration of rebellion and a call to arms.
• Share (חֵלֶק, cheleq) – Used in verse 1, this word denotes “portion” or “inheritance.” When Sheba declares “We have no share in David,” he’s rejecting not just David’s leadership but the divine appointment of David’s dynasty.
• Wise woman (אִשָּׁה חֲכָמָה, ishah chakhamah) – This term in verse 16 represents more than just intelligence; it indicates someone with diplomatic skill and practical wisdom. Such women played important roles in ancient Israelite society as counselors and mediators.
• Mother city (עִיר וְאֵם, ir v’em) – In verse 19, this phrase literally means “city and mother.” It designated an important city with surrounding dependent towns, highlighting Abel’s significance as a cultural and administrative center.
• Faithful ones (אֱמוּנֵי, emunei) – Used in verse 19, this term connects to the root meaning “firmness” or “faithfulness.” The city’s inhabitants describe themselves as peaceful and faithful to Israel’s covenantal traditions.
• Heritage of יהוה (נַחֲלַת יהוה, nachalat YHWH) – This phrase in verse 19 emphasizes the city’s special status as part of God’s covenant inheritance to Israel, making its destruction particularly serious.
• Swallow up (בָּלַע, bala) – Appearing multiple times in verses 19-20, this vivid verb suggests complete destruction. The wise woman uses this word to emphasize the gravity of Joab’s intended actions.
• Lifted his hand (נָשָׂא יָד, nasa yad) – This idiomatic expression in verse 21 describes rebellion against the king. It’s a physical gesture that symbolizes defiance against authority.

Compare & Contrast

• Verse 1’s declaration “We have no share in David” deliberately echoes the similar cry in 1 Kings 12:16. The Hebrew uses identical phrasing (אֵין־לָנוּ חֵלֶק בְּדָוִד) to connect these two moments of northern tribal rebellion, showing how this pattern would repeat in Israel’s history.
• The description of Amasa’s death in verse 10 uses particularly graphic Hebrew terminology, emphasizing the treacherous nature of Joab’s action. The text could have simply stated that Joab killed him, but instead describes the spilling of internal organs to highlight the brutality and violation of social norms.
• The wise woman’s speech in verses 18-19 employs the ancient proverb about Abel being a place of wisdom. This saying isn’t recorded elsewhere in Scripture, but its inclusion here suggests it was well-known. The Hebrew construction emphasizes Abel’s reputation as a city of counsel (דַּבֵּר יְדַבְּרוּ, “they would surely speak”).
• Verse 16’s description of the wise woman “calling from the city” uses a specific Hebrew construction (וַתִּקְרָא מִן־הָעִיר) that emphasizes her authority. Alternative phrasings could have diminished her role, but the text presents her as speaking with civic authority.
• The narrative’s description of Joab’s army in verse 15 uses military terminology (וַיִּשְׁפְּכוּ סֹלְלָה) that literally means “they poured out a siege mound.” This technical language shows the professional nature of the siege rather than using simpler terms for attacking the city.

2 Samuel 20 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of meaning that reflect deep theological and historical significance. The wise woman’s intervention in Abel Beth Maakah presents a fascinating parallel to the wise woman of Tekoa in 2 Samuel 14. Both women use wisdom to prevent bloodshed, yet their methods differ significantly. The Tekoan woman uses a parable to persuade, while the Abel woman employs direct diplomatic negotiation, demonstrating different applications of feminine wisdom in ancient Israel.

The rabbinical tradition notes that the phrase “they would surely speak in Abel” (verse 18) suggests that Abel was a center of Torah study and interpretation. The Midrash Rabbah comments that the city was known for resolving disputes through the application of Torah wisdom, making Joab’s threat to destroy it particularly egregious. This understanding adds depth to the wise woman’s appeal to preserve a city of such spiritual significance.

The repeated use of the term “swallow up” (בָּלַע) in the chapter carries echoes of Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16, where the earth “swallowed up” the rebels. This linguistic connection suggests a divine pattern where threats to God’s established order are themselves swallowed up, though sometimes through wisdom rather than judgment.

The ancient Jewish historian Josephus provides additional context about Abel Beth Maakah, describing it as a remarkably strong fortress city. This historical detail adds weight to the wise woman’s negotiation strategy – she speaks from a position of strength, not weakness, choosing wisdom over warfare despite having formidable defenses.

2 Samuel 20 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter’s themes of rebellion and reconciliation foreshadow the greater work of the Messiah Yeshua. Just as David faced rejection from his own people (“We have no share in David”), so too would the Messiah be rejected by many of His own, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:3. Yet, like David’s eventual restoration, Yeshua’s kingdom will ultimately be established despite initial rejection.

The wise woman’s role as a peacemaker points to Yeshua’s teaching that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Her wisdom in averting bloodshed reflects the higher wisdom of the Messiah, who taught that true victory often comes through wisdom and sacrifice rather than force.

2 Samuel 20 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages and themes. The pattern of rebellion against God’s anointed king echoes throughout Scripture, from Korah’s rebellion against Moses to the ultimate rebellion against the Messiah described in Psalm 2. The wise woman’s intervention recalls other instances of wisdom prevailing over violence, such as Abigail’s prevention of bloodshed in 1 Samuel 25.

The theme of tribal division foreshadows the eventual split of the kingdom under Rehoboam, while also pointing forward to the prophesied reunion under the Messiah (Ezekiel 37:15-28). The chapter’s emphasis on wise leadership connects to Solomon’s later prayers for wisdom and the scriptural principle that “Wisdom is better than weapons of war” (Ecclesiastes 9:18).

2 Samuel 20 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine how we respond to division and conflict within our communities. The wise woman of Abel demonstrates that godly wisdom often provides solutions that mere force cannot achieve. Her example encourages us to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts, even in seemingly impossible situations.

We’re also reminded that leadership requires discernment in handling various personalities and factions. David’s experience teaches us that even after major victories, we must remain vigilant against forces that would divide God’s people. This calls us to pray for our leaders and actively work for unity in our communities.

The chapter also illustrates how quickly people can turn from loyalty to rebellion. This should prompt us to examine our own hearts – are we faithful to God and His appointed leadership in both good times and challenging ones? Are we peacemakers who seek the welfare of God’s people, or do we sometimes contribute to division?

Did You Know

• The city of Abel Beth Maakah, mentioned in this chapter, has been excavated by archaeologists and shows evidence of being a major urban center during David’s time, with impressive fortifications that confirm its strategic importance.
• The wise woman’s negotiation with Joab follows ancient Near Eastern diplomatic protocols, where city elders would engage in dialogue with besieging armies from the city walls.
• The phrase “faithful ones of Israel” used by the wise woman was a technical term that designated cities known for their loyalty to Israelite traditions and laws.
• Sheba’s rebellion occurred in the territory of Benjamin, Saul’s tribe, suggesting ongoing tension between the houses of Saul and David.
• The military technique of building a siege ramp (סֹלְלָה) described in verse 15 has been documented in numerous archaeological sites across the ancient Near East.
• The name “Abel” means “meadow” or “stream,” suggesting the city’s location in a fertile area, which explains its importance as a regional center.
• Ancient Jewish tradition holds that the wise woman of Abel was considered one of the seven prophetesses of Israel, though this is not stated in the biblical text.
• The chapter’s events likely took place in the northern part of Israel, near the border with Aram (Syria), showing the strategic importance of maintaining control over this region.
• The description of Joab’s armor in verse 8 matches archaeological findings of military equipment from the Iron Age in Israel.
• The practice of displaying severed heads on city walls, as happened with Sheba, was a common ancient Near Eastern way of proving a rebel’s death and deterring future rebellions.