2 Samuel 20

 (1) Joab

The present danger to David was Sheba, who called the Israelites to desert from David v.1-2.

20:6 Then David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bicri will cause greater disaster for us than Absalom did!

On the other hand, David wanted to solidify his support among the Judah. Therefore, he appointed his new general Amasa to call the men of Judah together v.4. Amasa was the former general for Absalom. David appointed him to replace Joab as a bridge to the Absalom's cabinet 19:13. 

However, when Joab, the old general, met Amasa on his way to pursue Sheba he killed Amasa. That was the 2nd time Joab killed someone that he saw as a threat to his career 2 Sam 3:26-30. 

Reflection: Joab was a capable man and brought victory to David in different battles. However, he did not follow David's command and killed Absalom. Twice, he killed people that were a threat to his position. It was dangerous to have someone like that in his cabinet. Pray for ourselves to not have these kinds of people near us. They can be very capable but not faithful. Pray for ourselves not to be like that. 

(2) The wise woman

Scriptures called her wise v.16 and described her advice as wise v.22. Not only did she point out how wrong Joab was doing in attempting to destroy an important city in Israel v.19, but also she went to her people and advised them to cut off Sheba's head and threw it out ot Jaob v.22. In other words, her diplomatic action saved the whole city. She was wise in a sense that she was prudent. Wisdom saves.

Reflection: Wisdom is so important, but are we pursuing wisdom? Can we judge our situation correctly and make decisions accordingly? See how she described her city:

20:19 I represent the peaceful and the faithful in Israel. You are attempting to destroy an important city in Israel. Why should you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?” She described the city from God's perspective, it is part of the LORD's inheritance.  Can we judge our current situation from God's perspective? When she did so, even Joab had to agree with her. 20:20 Joab answered, “Get serious! I don’t want to swallow up or destroy anything! 20:21 That’s not the way things are... Can we follow her example today?

Audrey  

2024

v.1-13

B:

1. To David, the threat was Sheba. Although Amasa was delayed but David did not asked Abishai to pursue Amasas, but Sheba v.6. And that's what the warriors thought was their target v.7. 

2. David sent Abishai out to, but not Joab v.6,7. 

Therefore, Joab was unauthorized by David to go out and his target of Amasa was not the target of David. 

3. The way Joab killed Amasa was by deceiving, same as how he killed Abner v.9-10

(NET) Josephus, Ant. 7.11.7 (7.284), suggested that as Joab approached Amasa he deliberately caused the dagger to fall to the ground at an opportune moment as though by accident. When he bent over and picked it up, he then stabbed Amasa with it. 

4. The rest of the warrior knew that Amasa was not ordered to die per David and therefore, they did not agree with what Joab's solider said in v.11. “Whoever is for Joab and whoever is for David, follow Joab!” Joab did not represent David and the death of Amasa (caused by Joab) made the people stopped v.12. 

R:

Amasa was the replacement of David. Although he did not perform his job well, David did not order to have him remove or kill. Again, Joab made the decision for David and made other people to follow him. Have I replaced God and order people to do things that are not God's will? What is God's will in VBC? Continue? Same mode?

v.14-26

B:

1. Joab had repeatedly rebelled against David and how could he still be the general in command of all the army of Israel v.23?

David had set up Amasa to replace Joab, but he did not get his job done on time and gave Joab the excuse to kill him v.1-13. Plus Joab killed Sheba, the revolt against David at that time v.14-22. 

2. Sheba pertained a real threat to David

14 Sheba traveled through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth Maacah and all the Berite region. When they had assembled, they too joined him. 

Abel of Beth Maacah is closed to Dan, which located to the north ends of Israel. All the tribes of Israel from the north to the Benjaminte (Berite=Bikri 20:1?) (BEB) Sheba’s father in Benjamin’s tribe. Sheba led a revolt against King David (2 Sm 20:1–22). Bichri’s descendants were known as Bichrites (2 Sm 20:14, KJV Berites).

3. However, Joab got back his position by killing Sheba, not without the help of a wise women. 

Joab's original plan was to prepare a siege ramp in order to break the wall so that it would collapse v.15. (EBC) The ramp...serves as a means of access for attackers to pull down the city wall itself.

19b...You are attempting to destroy an important city in Israel. Why should you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?” 20 Joab answered, “Not at all! I don’t intend to swallow up or destroy anything! 21 That’s not the way things are.

4. The woman who changed even the blood thirst, self justice Joab had the characters of

a. Brevity. She called out for Joab while his soldiers were trying to break the wall

15b... As all of Joab’s soldiers were trying to break through the wall so that it would collapse, 16 a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen up! Listen up! Tell Joab, ‘Come near so that I may speak to you.’ ”

b. Logical, and Biblical. She described her people as a source of wisdom to the whole control, and as faithful people v.18-19. The word faith was used in Psalms of David. (EBC) she uses language that reflects several Davidic psalms (cf. 7:4; 12:1; 31:23). It is illogical and unfaithful to destroy them. 

c. Her logic and faith not only convinced Joab, but also all her people v.22. 

R:
Joab's success made David reluctantly placed him back as the commander, but his success was not totally his. It belonged to a brave, logical, biblical, and convincing woman. Am I brave, logical, biblical, and convincing? I pray that the "joab" in my heart will also be convince by the "brave, logical, biblical, and convincing woman" in my heart. 

Q:

1. He made use of the opportunity of the dispute over Israel and Judah in the matter of whom had helped the king coming back. He persuaded the hurting Israel to follow him and deserted from David. 19: 41-20:2

2. They just claimed to have a great claim on David 19:43, but they turned against their own words and deserted David 20:2. They were easily provoked and did not have real conviction. 

3. Yes, I easily followed others whom I trust. As a result I might do things without good discernment. e.g. when other people quit following Mr. H because of the advice of pastor M. The affect my decision to quite 60%. But, back then I did put good consideration, but I might not. 

4. He killed his replacement, and David put him back to his position after he also killed Sheba v.23. The soldier of Joab wanted other soliders to follow Joab, but other soldiers were reluctant to follow him and they stopped to see Amasa's body. But when the body was removed, there was no other choice if they wanted to kill the enemy of David. They have to follow Joab. 13 Once he had removed Amasa from the path, everyone followed Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

(EBC) Even as one of Joab’s men attempts to rally his comrades to the chase by linking loyalty to the discredited Joab (see comments on v.7; and on 19:13) with loyalty to David (v.11; cf. Exod 32:26; Josh 5:13; 2 Kings 10:6), a dramatic pause in the action is effected by the threefold use of ʿāmaḏ in vv.11 (“stood”) and 12 (“came to a halt,” “stopped”). 

5. She described her people as a source of wisdom to the whole control, and as faithful people v.18-19. The word faith was used in Psalms of David. (EBC) she uses language that reflects several Davidic psalms (cf. 7:4; 12:1; 31:23). It is illogical and unfaithful to destroy them.