By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, Office for Global Engagement, University of Mobile
AVERTED
2 Samuel 20:1–2, 14–21
Civil war is seldom civil. While political and ideological pundits utilize public and social media for their own agendas, they drive the masses closer and closer to the brink of cultural and ethnic civil war. Activists advocate using whatever means necessary to communicate their message. Machiavelli’s “ends justifies the means” comes to mind at this point.
In this week’s chapter we read the continuing record of rebellion, dissension and murder among the men of Israel. Jealousy in the ranks split allegiances between the armies of Judah and Israel. Israelite warriors perceived David’s trust in the troops of Judah as favoritism. After all, 10 tribes fought for David when Judah sided with Absalom and they spoke first about restoring David to power. Trouble was brewing again and more men were going to die.
Division (1–2)
The narrator characterizes Sheba as a wicked man from the tribe of Benjamin. Sheba first drew attention to himself by sounding a shofar. He publicly announced that Israel was rejecting David as their king and called for the troops to abandon David and go home. Division ruled in Israel again.
Churches face similar problems of division. Like the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:10–11; 11:18), congregations today face divisions over personality, authority, theology and church policy. Dissatisfied members fail to rejoice and find contentment in the provisions of God (Phil. 4). Failure to accentuate the glory of God and the gospel of Christ often leads to ecstatic emotionalism, entertainment-driven consumerism or empty ritualism.
Civil War (14–16)
It was the worst of times; it was the worst of times. Here we have civil war within a civil war. Sheba rebelled against King David, so David sent troops to pursue him. Amasa called the men of Judah back into active duty. He took too long so Joab and his brother Abishai led David’s troops in pursuit of Sheba. Along the way Joab met and murdered Amasa.
Joab and his men followed Sheba to the city of Abel. The troops built a ramp to breach the city. They also used a battering ram to break through the city gate. A wise woman of the city would negotiate a peace settlement with Joab.
Wisdom Conquers (17–21)
This brave woman confronted Joab, citing Israelite history and the heritage of Abel as reasons for the army to avoid destroying the city. Joab proposed that if the citizens were to hand over Sheba as an act of good faith, the army would withdraw from the city. Wisdom served the inhabitants well, as they executed Sheba and delivered his head to Joab. One man’s death saved the city.
To some degree this negotiation calls to mind an earlier agreement struck between Israel and the Philistines. On that occasion they agreed that lives would be spared if a battle were to be fought between Goliath and an Israelite (1 Sam. 17:8–9). One man’s death saved an army.
“It is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish” (John 11:50). Caiaphas offered this counsel to the Jewish authorities prior to the arrest, trials and crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. While he was speaking of the political advantage that would come from silencing Jesus, he spoke prophetically: “He did not say this on his own … he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and … to unite the scattered children of God” (John 11:51–52).
One Savior’s death and resurrection saves all believers.
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