2 Samuel

2 Samuel 20: A wise word saves a city

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Sheba’s revolt, let us come before the LORD together. Ask Him to keep us from rebellion, and to help us see that His people are His own inheritance.

For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the ruin that rebellion brings, and that Your people are Your own inheritance, and show us Jesus, the faithful King who brings peace. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Sheba, a Benjamite, blows the trumpet and calls Israel to leave David, while Judah stays with its king. David sends Amasa to call Judah together, but Amasa is late. Joab takes his men to pursue Sheba, and at Gibeon he kills Amasa with a sword. Sheba flees north to Abel of Beth Maacah, and Joab besieges the city. A wise woman of Abel speaks to Joab, and the people put Sheba to death. Joab sounds the trumpet, and the siege ends.

As you read 2 Samuel 20, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Israel is the LORD’s inheritance, and a wise woman’s word saves her city from ruin.

Sheba blows the trumpet and says, “We have no portion in David” (verse 1). The men of Israel follow him, but the men of Judah stay with their king (verse 2). Joab pursues Sheba, and at Gibeon he kills Amasa (verses 8 to 10). Sheba flees north to Abel of Beth Maacah, and Joab’s men besiege the city (verses 14 and 15). A wise woman speaks to Joab and calls Abel a mother in Israel (verses 16 to 19). She asks why he would swallow up the LORD’s inheritance (verse 19). The people put Sheba to death, and the siege ends (verses 21 and 22). The chapter names God only in her words, and they show that Israel belongs to Him. Christ is the King whose rule no rebel can end, and He gives peace to His people (Isaiah 9 verse 7).

How does 2 Samuel 20 show us that Israel is the LORD’s inheritance, and that a wise woman’s word saves her city from ruin?

Sheba calls the people to rebel against David.

Sheba blows the trumpet and calls Israel to leave David (verse 1). The men of Israel follow him, but the men of Judah stay with their king (verse 2). Rebellion splits the nation, and a people can be led away by one man’s pride.

Joab kills Amasa in a false greeting.

Joab takes Amasa by the beard to kiss him, and he strikes him with his sword (verses 9 and 10). The killing is sudden and treacherous. The text does not say that David approved it. Sheba’s rebellion led to this killing and to a siege against Abel (verses 10 and 15).

A wise word saves the city, and Christ gives peace to His people.

The wise woman calls Abel a mother in Israel (verse 19). She asks why Joab would destroy the LORD’s inheritance (verse 19). Her city is saved when the people put Sheba to death (verses 21 and 22). Christ is the King whose rule no rebel can end, and He gives peace to His people (Isaiah 9 verse 7).

Memorise

You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up Yahweh’s inheritance?

2 Samuel 20:19

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, who is my King, and where does my pride lead me?

Sheba called Israel to rebel, and a city was nearly destroyed. A wise woman spoke, and the city was saved. Rebellion brings ruin, and sinners cannot save themselves by their own wisdom. The faithful King is Jesus, the Son of David.

Sinners were at war with God, and Jesus made peace through His blood on the cross. He died there for His people once for all, and He was laid in a tomb. God raised Him up, and His rule has no end.

So come to Him, and lay down your rebellion. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him is at peace with God, and their rebellion is forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Israel is the LORD’s inheritance, and that Jesus is the faithful King who makes peace. Parents, please explain in your own words the death of Amasa and the death of Sheba (verses 10 and 22). Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His people are His own inheritance, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psalm 37:11

Lord God, thank You that Your people are Your own inheritance, and that Jesus is the faithful King who makes peace. Show each person here how to repent and trust Jesus. Help us to speak words of peace this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.