2 Samuel 20 explained: A Second Revolt and a Murder

Sheba's call to revolt (vv. 1-2)

The northern tribes had just quarreled with the tribe of Judah over who had the greater claim on David, and Sheba, from Saul's old tribe of Benjamin, used that grievance to pull them away. His cry told the men of Israel to go home because this king was not theirs, and only Judah stayed loyal.

The ten women confined (v. 3)

These were David's secondary wives, whom Absalom had publicly slept with to claim the throne. David provided for them but never lived with them as wives again, so they spent their lives shut away like widows, and the text does not say whether this was meant as protection or punishment, a point interpreters have disagreed on.

Joab kills Amasa (vv. 4-13)

David had replaced Joab as army commander with Amasa, Absalom's former general, but when Amasa was slow to gather troops, Joab came along on the chase and stabbed him while greeting him with a friendly kiss. The soldiers stopped at the body but then followed Joab, which shows how much real power he held.

A wise woman saves Abel (vv. 14-22)

Sheba fled to Abel Beth Maakah in the far north, and as Joab's army battered its walls, a woman of the town quoted an old saying about Abel that seems to mean it was respected for wise counsel, though the verse can be read in more than one way. She agreed to hand over the one rebel, and the people threw Sheba's head over the wall, ending the siege without destroying the town.

David's officials listed (vv. 23-26)

This list shows the government back in working order, with Joab again in charge of the army despite the murder, and the Kerethites and Pelethites serving as the royal bodyguard. Ira's role is unclear, since translations render his title either as a priest for David or as a chief minister, and scholars are unsure which is meant.

Key verse: 2 Samuel 20:1

Something to think about

The woman of Abel saved her whole town by handing over one man's life; how do you weigh a choice like that?