II Samuel 20
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Sheba, the son of Bichri - As this man was a Benjamite, he probably belonged to the family of Saul; and he seems to have had considerable influence in Israel to raise such an insurrection: but we know nothing farther of him than what is related in this place. We have no part in David - We of Israel, we of the ten tribes, are under no obligation to the house of David. Leave him, and let every man fall into the ranks under his own leader.
Open source ↗SHEBA MAKES A PARTY IN ISRAEL. (Sa2 20:1-9) Sheba . . . a Benjamite--Though nothing is known of this man, he must have been a person of considerable power and influence, before he could have raised so sudden and extensive a sedition. He belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, where the adherents of Saul's dynasty were still numerous; and perceiving the strong disgust of the other tribes with the part assumed by Judah in the restoration, his ill-designing heart resolved to turn it to the overthrow of David's authority in Israel. every man to his tents--This proverbial expression may have had its foundation in the fact, that many of the Israelite peasantry adhered to the custom of the patriarchs who tilled land, and yet lived in tents, as Syrian peasants often do still. This was the usual watchword of national insurrection, and from the actual temper of the people, it was followed by effects beyond what he probably anticipated.
Open source ↗And there happened to be a man of Belial,.... A wicked man, as the Targum, a lawless, yokeless man, that had cast off the yoke of the law, and was without it, as Belial is by some interpreted; or one unprofitable and useless, yea, noxious and pernicious: this man, though, with respect to second causes, may be said to be there by chance, yet it was so ordered by the providence of God that he should be present at this time for the further fulfilment of the threatening to David, that the sword should not depart from his house: whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; one perhaps that had been in the rebellion of Absalom, and had a grudge against David for the removal of the kingdom out of that tribe: and he blew a trumpet; which was done to draw off the Israelites from David, and gather a party to himself: and said, we have no part in David; so he interpreted what the men of Judah said, because they claimed kindred to David, the rest of the Israelites had no interest in him; thus they, who just before said they had ten parts in him, now had none at all: neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; so he calls David by way of contempt, as if he was no king, but a private person, and a descendant from a mean family: every man to his tent, O Israel; there to consider what to do, and whom to choose to be their king, and let Judah take David for their king, and enjoy him alone, since they had so slighted, and dealt so injuriously and roughly with the rest of the tribes.
Open source ↗Sheba's Rebellion. - Sa2 20:1. There happened to be a worthless man there, named Sheba, a Benjaminite. He blew the trumpet, and said, "We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, O Israel!" "To his tents," i.e., to his home, as in Sa2 19:9, etc. Sa2 20:2 All the men of Israel responded to this call, and went up (to the mountains) away from David and after Sheba; but the men of Judah adhered to their king from the Jordan to Jerusalem. The construction of דּבק with ועד ... מן is a pregnant one: they adhered to and followed him. The expression "from Jordan" does not prove that Sheba's rebellion broke out at the Jordan itself, and before David's arrival in Gilgal, but may be accounted for from the fact that the men of Judah had already fetched the king back across the Jordan. Sa2 20:3 As soon as David returned to his palace at Jerusalem, he brought the ten concubines whom he had left behind, and with whom Absalom had lain, into a place of safety, and took care of them, without going in unto them any more. The masculine suffixes attached to יתּגם, יכלכּלם, and אליהם are used, as they frequently are, as being the more general and indefinite, instead of the feminine, which is the more definite form. Thus were they shut up in lifelong widowhood until the day of their death. אלמנוּת is an adverbial accusative, and חיּוּת signifies "condition in life;" literally, in widowhood of life. Sa2 20:4 David then ordered Amasa to call the men of Judah to pursue Sheba the rebel, and attack him within three days, and then to present himself to him again. This commission was intended as the commencement of the fulfilment of the promise which David had given to Amasa (Sa2 19:14). It was no doubt his intention to give him the command over the army tha…
Open source ↗David, in the midst of his triumphs, has here the affliction to see his kingdom disturbed and his family disgraced. I. His subjects revolting from him at the instigation of a man of Belial, whom they followed when they forsook the man after God's own heart. Observe, 1. That this happened immediately upon the crushing of Absalom's rebellion. We must not think it strange, while we are in this world, if the end of one trouble be the beginning of another: deep sometimes calls unto deep. 2. That the people were now just returning to their allegiance, when, of a sudden, they flew off from it. When a reconciliation is newly made, it ought to be handled with great tenderness and caution, lest the peace break again before it be settled. A broken bone, when it is set, must have time to knot. 3. That the ring-leader of this rebellion was Sheba, a Benjamite by birth (Sa2 20:1), who had his habitation in Mount Ephraim, Sa2 20:21. Shimei and he were both of Saul's tribe, and both retained the ancient grudge of that house. Against the kingdom of the Messiah there is an hereditary enmity in the serpent's seed, and a succession of attempts to overthrow it (Psa 2:1, Psa 2:2); but he that sits in heaven laughs at them all. 4. That the occasion of it was that foolish quarrel, which we read of in the close of the foregoing chapter, between the elders of Israel and the elders of Judah, about bringing the king back. It was a point of honour that was disputed between them, which had most interest in David. "We are more numerous," say the elders of Israel. "We are nearer akin to him," say the elders of Judah. Now one would think David very safe and happy when his subjects are striving which shall love him best, and be most forward to show him respect; yet even that strife proves the occasion of…
Open source ↗20:1 Down with the dynasty of David! By the same rallying cry, the northern Israelites later dissociated themselves from Solomon (1 Kgs 12:16). Sheba’s failed revolt foreshadowed the ultimate failure of the northern kingdom, which was founded on a similar revolt by Jeroboam (1 Kgs 12).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7122) — to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בְּלִיַּעַל (bᵉlîyaʻal, H1100) — without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7652) — Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, H1075) — Bikri, an Israelite בֶּן־יְמִינִי (Ben-yᵉmîynîy, H1145) — a Benjaminite, or descendent of Benjamin תָּקַע (tâqaʻ, H8628) — to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive… שׁוֹפָר (shôwphâr, H7782) — a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7652) — Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, H1075) — Bikri, an Israelite יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… דָּבַק (dâbaq, H1692) — properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pîylegesh, H6370) — a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… כּוּל (kûwl, H3557) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king עֲמָשָׂא (ʻĂmâsâʼ, H6021) — Amasa, the name of two Israelites זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Open source ↗עֲמָשָׂא (ʻĂmâsâʼ, H6021) — Amasa, the name of two Israelites יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אָחַר (ʼâchar, H309) — to loiter (i.e. be behind); by implication to procrastinate יָחַר (yâchar, H3186) — to delay מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… יָעַד (yâʻad, H3259) — to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7652) — Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, H1075) — Bikri, an Israelite יָרַע (yâraʻ, H3415) — properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e. (figuratively) to fear אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (ʼĂbîyshâlôwm, H53) — Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or…
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) כְּרֵתִי (Kᵉrêthîy, H3774) — a Kerethite or life-guardsman פְּלֵתִי (Pᵉlêthîy, H6432) — a courier (collectively) or official messenger גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7652) — Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, H1075) — Bikri, an Israelite
Open source ↗גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone גִּבְעוֹן (Gibʻôwn, H1391) — Gibon, a place in Palestine עֲמָשָׂא (ʻĂmâsâʼ, H6021) — Amasa, the name of two Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites מַד (mad, H4055) — properly, extent, i.e. height; also a measure; by implication, a vesture (as measured);… לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife חָגַר (châgar, H2296) — to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.) חָגוֹר (châgôwr, H2289) — belted חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… צָמַד (tsâmad, H6775) — to link, i.e. gird; figuratively, to serve, (mentally) contrive מֹתֶן (môthen, H4975) — properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
Open source ↗יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֲמָשָׂא (ʻĂmâsâʼ, H6021) — Amasa, the name of two Israelites שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… אָחַז (ʼâchaz, H270) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession) זָקָן (zâqân, H2206) — the beard (as indicating age) יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָשַׁק (nâshaq, H5401) — to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with…
Open source ↗עֲמָשָׂא (ʻĂmâsâʼ, H6021) — Amasa, the name of two Israelites שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) חֹמֶשׁ (chômesh, H2570) — the abdomen (as obese) שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578) — used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁנָה (shânâh, H8138) — to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מִי (mîy, H4310) — who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often… חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗עֲמָשָׂא (ʻĂmâsâʼ, H6021) — Amasa, the name of two Israelites גָּלַל (gâlal, H1556) — to roll (literally or figuratively) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מְסִלָּה (mᵉçillâh, H4546) — a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗יָגָה (yâgâh, H3014) — to push away מְסִלָּה (mᵉçillâh, H4546) — a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7652) — Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, H1075) — Bikri, an Israelite
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָבֵל (ʼÂbêl, H59) — Abel, the name of two places in Palestine. בֵּית מַעֲכָה (Bêyth Maʻăkâh, H1038) — Beth-Maakah, a place in Palestine בֵּרִי (Bêrîy, H1276) — (only in the plural and with the article) the Berites, a place in Palestine קָהַל (qâhal, H6950) — to convoke קָלַהּ (qâlahh, H7035) — to assemble בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home,
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So all the Israelites went home,
that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”
Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword,
Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”
Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
On arriving in Seirah, he blew the ram’s horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hills, and he became their leader.