Problems Between the Northern and Southern Tribes

Click here to read II Samuel 20.

David unifies and stabilizes the kingdom. The argument between the men of Judah and the men of Israel got worse. Things were said that should not have been said and a man by the name of Sheba, a Benjaminite, attempted to rally the men of Israel to leave David. Now Sheba is described in the various translations as "wicked", "a trouble maker", "a hot head", "a worthless fellow", and all the men of the 10 northern tribes left with him. We can see the gap between the northern and southern tribes widening. The rest of the people went on with David to Jerusalem.

When they reached Jerusalem, David did two things:

  1. He separated the 10 concubines that he had left in Jerusalem and who had slept with his son Absalom, and had them put into seclusion where their needs would be cared for but he would no longer consider them as his wives.
  2. He then sent for Amasa, his Commander-in-Chief and sent him to mobilize the army of Judah and report back in 3 days for the purpose of going after Sheba.

When Amasa did not return in 3 days, David ordered Abi-shai to take his personal bodyguard and go after Sheba before he could get into a fortified city. So Abishai and Joab, the demoted Commander-in-Chief, left Jerusalem with David's bodyguard and headed north. When they got to the "great stone", near Gibeon, (7 miles N-W of Jerusalem), they met up with Amasa and the mobilized Army of Judah. Joab went up to Amasa on the pretence of greeting him with a kiss, and plunged a dagger into his stomach and killed him.

Notice the treachery of this event:

  1. It would appear that this was a predetermined place to meet.
  2. The two rivals, Joab and Amasa, met and Amasa, relying on his commission from the King assumed command of the combined forces.
  3. Joab, apparently jealous over having lost his command, took the opportunity, on the pretense of friendship, to kill Amasa.

Notice the disregard that Joab had for the law, the Kings commission or for morality:

  1. It was done with pre-meditation.
  2. It was done under pretence of friendship.
  3. It was done openly in full view of the troops.
  4. It was done in complete defiance of David's orders.
  5. It was un-timely done. Done at a time when unity of troop allegiance was needed, going after a common enemy. This act might have divided the troops.
  6. It was done without consideration of king or kingdom, done for personal reasons.

Where is the justice in all of this? Why didn't David bring Joab to task for this? We can only speculate:

  1. When David heard of this, he must have regretted that he had not formally done justice upon Joab for killing Abner.
  2. He must also accept some responsibility for Amasa's death, by having placed him in a position where he would be subject to Joab's hatred.
  3. Finally, perhaps his conscience reminded him that it was he who had started Joab on these acts of treachery when he told Joab to place Uriah in a spot where he would be killed just so he, David, could marry Uriah's wife, Bethsheba.

"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."

Well, they dragged Amasa's body out into a field and covered it with a cloth. Then they go after Sheba. Sheba had attempted to mobilize the forces of Israel against David at the city of Abel in Beth-maachah, 100 miles north of Gibean. Abel went back to the time of Abraham (1,000 years). It was called "a mother of Israel". It was built on top of a high flat piece of land and was walled around with a mound of earth piled against the wall. This mound was never removed or the city conquered. It still exists today as one of the most impressive sights in Palestine. The people of the city were called Maacha-thites. Their descendants dwell there to this day. Joshua prophesied, "The people of Israel will never expel the Maacha-thites."

When Joab's forces arrived at the city, instead of trying to negotiate with the leaders of the city, he attempted to batter down the walls. A wise woman called down from the wall and asked Joab why he was attempting to destroy that which was the Lords. Joab replied, "All I want is a man called Sheba who had attempted to lead a revolt against King David." She replied, "Well why didn't you say so." "We will throw down his head to you." And so they did and Joab and his army returned to Jerusalem.

There are many interesting stories about the city of Abel. The wisdom of its leaders solved many a dispute in Israel. It was a city of refuge and Sheba, who had obviously failed in his attempt to mobilize the northern tribes against David, had gone there and sought refuge. Abel was a city of peace. It had never taken sides in any dispute. Al matters were decided by the wisdom of the Elders. Once consulted, and the matter resolved, it was closed and all sides had to abide by the decision.

The people of Abel had expected Joab to at least state his purpose for being there before he started to batter the cities walls but sense he did not, a woman's wisdom saved the lives of many people and added yet another story to the wise judgments of this city.

The chapter ends with an account of David's court:

  1. Joab got his old job back as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. He was either to valuable or to dangerous to replace.
  2. Ben-a-iah retained his job as Captain of David's Guard.
  3. Ado-ram took on the duties of a new job as Treasurer. He was in charge of tribute, forced labor and later, taxes. He held this job for a long time but eventually it cost him his life.
  4. Jehoshaphat was appointed Historian.
  5. Sheva became the scribe or Secretary.
  6. Zadok and Abiathar were retained as Priests.
  7. Ira became David's personal Chaplain.


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