2 Samuel 20

Intro

We’ve been here before.

God is faithful to His covenant promises, but also to his covenant curses.

David returns to division.

Division in the house of Israel, in his own house, and in his administation.

We see the on-going consequences to David’s sin.

2 Samuel 12:10 ESV

Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’

2 Samuel 20

Division in the house of Israel (20:1-2)

vv. 1-2 Sheba’s rebellion

Israel had ten parts in David, now Sheba says “no part” in David.

Not a call to war against David, but for secession.

Division in his own house (20:3)

Sad return. No fanfare, just a ruined house.

What he did in private was done to him in public.

David leaving them was a kind of divorce, and Absalom going into them was a kind of marriage, it would be wrong for them to return to their first husband (Dt. 24:1-4).

So he provides for them, but they are effectively widows.

We’ve seen the sad consequences of David taking another man’s wife play out in the lives of Tamar and here also with these concubines.

Ten concubines like ten tribes of Israel who are “shut-up” from David.

Division in His Administration (20:4-13)

If Sheba is not stopped this will be worse than Absalom.

Amasa, an olive branch to Judah is sent to gather troops.

What’s with the delay?

Meanwhile, something has to be done about Sheba, so David sends the always messy but reliable Zeruaiah sons to lead the shock troops.

Abishai is called to lead but the real leader is seen very quickly—Joab.

Suddenly Amasa shows up in Gibeon (same place Joab met Abner) huh, whatsup with that?

[Explain how Joab kills Amasa (his cousin)]

Why was his body left in the road? Warning to others who would rebel against David.

Joab is loyal to David, but also to himself, which is first?

He may have seen Amasa as a theat to David and the kingdom, but he certainly saw him as a threat personally.

The sword continues to divide David’s house as cousin kills cousin, vying for the tops spot in David’s administration.

Israel re-united to David (20:14-22)

It would seem Sheba wasn’t able to find much support in Israel, finding refuge in one of the far northern cities of Beth-maacah.

Joab, and the army, surround and besiege the city. [Explain siege]

Wise women sent to appease.

Why are you trying to destroy a city renowned for wisdom and mother in Israel?

Joab is not, trying to stop a rebellion, only wants Sheba.

She promises to send Sheba’s head to him.

Her wisdom won the people and they surrendered the “head” of the rebellion—Sheba.

By her wisdom she saved the city.

Joab blows the trumpet the army returns to their homes.

Joab returns to Jerusalem and to the king (and to his place as commander)

No comment from David about Amasa’s death.

So what?

We continue to see two persistent facts:

God is true to His promises

God is true to His consequences.

David is returned to the throne, he doesn’t die for His sin.

But he is not returned to his former glory, nor is the kingdom the same.

There are consequences that persist from our sins, even when the Lord forgives you.

I am still dealing with the consequences of my sins as a young unbeliever when I divorced my first wife.

I have experienced much forgiveness from the Lord, but the consequences remain.

If as Paul said these things were written down for our instruction, then there is a warning here not to trifle with sin.

Sin brings consequences, often in the form of division.