2 Samuel 20 -- More Conflicts

My commentary said David was having to deal with four different conflicts after Absalom's rebellion had been crushed.

Starting in chapter 19, we'd seen tribal conflict between Judah and the northern tribes, which had felt left out of the homecoming ceremony for David.  It continued in chapter 20 when Sheba, from Saul's tribe of Benjamin, "dismissed the army and citizens who came from the northern tribes and told them not to follow David any longer," my commentary said.

Wrapped up inside this rebellion was personal conflict.  David had granted a general amnesty after Absalom was killed and his rebellion put down.  He had appointed Amasa to lead his army, taking Joab's place, because Joab had defied David's orders and killed Absalom.  Amasa was also David's cousin.  When Sheba began to rebel, David ordered Amasa to take the army and stop him, but Amasa took more than three days to gather the army and start, so David commanded Abishai to take over.  Abishai took David's elite soldiers and headed north, meeting Amasa with the army he was raising at a point six miles north of Jerusalem.  Amasa was headed south to report to David.  Joab stepped in and pretended to drop his sword as he was greeting Amasa, but instead stabbed him to death.  Joab and Abishai then continued to chase Sheba to a walled city where the citizens agreed to behead Sheba rather than have their fellow countrymen attack their city.  "Joab had taken back his old position and wouldn't let it go.  Once again, David had to give in to Joab's power tactics," my commentary noted.

Father, Your church now represents Your kingdom, and there should be no place for such battles and conflicts between its members.  I pray that You will remove the causes of conflict gently and give us back the unity we once had.  Heal our church, Father.  Help me to be part of the solution and never part of the problem.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford