Who is Sheba son of Bichri and why does he rebel against David?

Sheba is called a “man of Belial,” which means a wicked, lawless man. He is from the tribe of Benjamin. Right after David is brought back as king, Sheba blows a trumpet and calls Israel away from David, saying, “We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse.” He twists the hurt feelings of the northern tribes and uses them to stir another revolt. In turning people away from God’s chosen king, he shows open rebellion not just against David’s rule, but against God’s order for the kingdom.

Why do the men of Israel follow Sheba while Judah stays with David?

The people of Israel and Judah had just argued over who had more right to David. Judah had led David back, and the other tribes felt slighted and disrespected. When Sheba shouts, “Every man to his tents, O Israel,” he is playing on this anger. The men of Israel pull away from David and follow Sheba. Judah, however, holds on to their king and stays with David from the Jordan back to Jerusalem. The split shows how easily wounded pride and old tribal feelings can break unity when hearts are not settled under God’s rule.

Why did David shut up his ten concubines and make them live in widowhood?

These ten women had been left to keep David’s house when he fled, and Absalom had publicly slept with them during his revolt. When David comes back, he provides for them but no longer lives with them as wives. He keeps them separate and they live out their days like widows while he is still alive. This shows the lasting damage from Absalom’s sin and from David’s earlier choices about many wives. Even though the women are not killed or cast out, their lives are permanently changed, and David’s household carries the shame and sorrow of what happened.

Who is Amasa and why is he slow to gather the men of Judah?

Amasa had been the commander of Absalom’s army in the earlier revolt. After that, David promised to make him commander in place of Joab, likely as a way to win back the people of Judah. When Sheba rebels, David tells Amasa to gather the men of Judah within three days. But Amasa takes longer than the time David gave him. The passage does not spell out why. It may be that people were slow to rally under someone who had just led the other side, or that Amasa himself was not quick or strong enough in this new role. His delay gives Joab an opening.

Why does David send Abishai instead of Joab after Sheba?

David is displeased with Joab for killing Absalom against his orders and has removed him from the top command. So when Amasa is late, David speaks to Abishai, Joab’s brother, and tells him to take the king’s servants and chase Sheba quickly, before Sheba can hide in strong cities. David is acting fast to stop another long revolt. Even though Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the mighty men go out, the king’s direct order is to Abishai, which hints that David no longer trusts Joab with full authority, even though Joab is still very powerful.

What is happening when Joab greets Amasa at the great stone in Gibeon?

The troops meet at a large stone near Gibeon, which seems to be a rally point. Amasa comes up in front of the forces, now as the new commander. Joab is there with his garment belted on and a sword in a sheath arranged so it can easily fall out. As he steps forward, the sword drops, which gives the sense that he is unarmed. Joab then greets Amasa warmly, asking if he is well and calling him “my brother,” and takes him by the beard as if to kiss him. On the surface it looks friendly, but it is actually the setup for a deadly betrayal.

What does Joab’s false greeting to Amasa show about his character?

Joab’s words and actions toward Amasa are very smooth. He asks about his health, calls him brother, and moves in close as if to give a friendly kiss, which was a normal greeting. But behind this show of kindness is a plan to kill Amasa and take back command. This picture of Joab shows a man hardened by power and bloodshed, ready to use lies and fake affection to reach his goals. His loyalty is mixed with self-interest. It warns readers that not everyone who speaks kindly or uses family language is truly seeking the good of others or the good of God’s people.

What does this passage teach about rebellion and loyalty to God’s chosen king?

In this story, rebellion rises again right after one revolt has been crushed. Sheba’s cry, “We have no part in David,” pushes people to throw off David’s rule. But God had already set David as king. So turning from David here is also a turning from what God has put in place. At the same time, Judah’s choice to cling to David shows a better response, even in confused times. The passage reminds us that surface unity can be fragile when hearts are proud, and that real faithfulness means staying with the king God appoints rather than running after quick, angry voices.

How can this passage about Sheba, David, and Joab speak to believers today?

This passage shows how quickly hurt feelings and pride can split a community, how old sins can leave deep scars, and how some people use trouble to grab power. Believers today can take warning not to be swept along by angry voices that play on division, like Sheba did. It also urges care in leadership, being fair and not feeding jealousy. Joab’s fake kindness challenges us to be honest and not hide selfish plans behind friendly words. Above all, it points us to look past human leaders and keep our hearts loyal to God and his ways in messy situations.

2Sam.20.1

2 Samuel 20:1

KJV

And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

Sheba’s Revolt

And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.

¶ And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.

¶ Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.

So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.

And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.

And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.

Cross References

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