Wednesday, August 14 – 2 Samuel 20, 21

1. Who rebelled against David after his return to Jerusalem from the war against Absalom and Israel? (2 Samuel 20:1)

2. Who killed Amasa, the general of David’s army? (2 Samuel 20:10)

Commentary and Reflection:

“The overthrow of Absalom did not at once bring peace to the kingdom. A part of the nation had joined in revolt so large that David would not return to his capital and resume his authority without an invitation from the tribes. In the confusion that followed Absalom’s defeat, there was no prompt and decided action to recall the king, and when at last Judah undertook to bring back David, the jealousy of the other tribes was roused, and a counter-revolution followed. This, however, was speedily quelled, and peace returned to Israel.” (PP 746).

The appointment of Amasa as the head of the national army ended up being his death sentence. Joab was an extraordinary man, a great general with a keen sense of politics, but he lacked scruples. He was brave and confident enough to disobey David by killing his son and bold enough to point out the king’s judgment errors. Here, we see him resorting to betrayal and murder to maintain his power, again defying David. Pretending to kiss Amasa, who was also his cousin, he stabbed him in the side. Undoubtedly, Amasa fell victim to his naivety, as he should not have trusted Joab.

In this battle, a wise and brave woman comes onto the scene. This woman from Abel-bet-maraca, a city in northern Israel, was wise enough to discern the city’s dangerous situation, bold enough to take the initiative, and brave enough to ask to speak with Joab. If someone else thought of it, no one else did it. This woman saved thousands of lives in the city and David’s army.

She spoke to Joab about the city’s tradition and history. Joab was wise enough to accept her help, showing goodwill towards the city and Israel. Both avoided a disaster in the town, the country, and David’s government. This was not the first time Joab trusted a woman to achieve an important goal. Defeating Sheba in this manner, without significant damage, ensured his opportunity to remain as the army’s general.

Life’s situations often aren’t black and white; there is a lot of gray. Joab wasn’t all bad, nor was he all good. He did some things well and others very poorly. One cannot judge him by one thing or the other: his true character showed in the motivation of his heart. It seems that he came out in the negative in the final balance. He was driven more by unscrupulous ambition than by love and loyalty. David continued with him until the end, not because he didn’t know him, but because he was useful.

Regarding the three years of famine mentioned in 2 Samuel 21, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary says,

“’In the days of David.’ This phrase is too vague to warrant the conclusion that this famine must have followed immediately the events of eh. 20. There is no evidence as to exactly when this famine took place. There is no reason to doubt that it was one of the troubles that beset David toward the close of his reign, although it could have happened at any time after David’s kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth (v. 7). Not all the events in David’s reign are recorded in strict chronological sequence.” (SDA Bible Commentary, 2 Samuel 21:1).

Saul and Israel failed to keep Joshua’s promise to the Gibeonites, allowing them to live and own property in Israel. This story reveals the importance God places on keeping one’s word. Saul and Israel had committed an injustice against the Gibeonites, and God did not overlook it. Israel was His people, but not to the detriment of other nations.

Saul acted against Gibeon for personal reasons and because it was a popular policy in Israel. He and Israel were driven by nationalism, meaning “us first”, then others. God disapproves of nationalism because, to Him, all are equal. Nationalism offends Him. Because of this failure, three years of famine came upon Israel. “The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself” (NKJV Leviticus 19:33-34).

May you have a blessed day.