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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Samuel, Chapter XX].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D &nbsp; S A M U E L</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XX.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
How do the clouds return after the rain! No sooner is one of David's
troubles over than another arises, as it were out of the ashes of the
former, wherein the threatening is fulfilled, that the sword should
never depart from his house.
I. Before he reaches Jerusalem a new rebellion is raised by Sheba,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
II. His first work, when he comes to Jerusalem, is to condemn his
concubines to perpetual imprisonment,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:3">ver. 3</A>.
III. Amass, whom he entrusts to raise an army against Sheba, is too
slow in his motions, which puts him into a fright,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:4-6">ver. 4-6</A>.
IV. One of his generals barbarously murders the other, when they are
taking the field,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:7-13">ver. 7-13</A>.
V. Sheba is at length shut up in the city of Abel
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:14,15">ver. 14, 15</A>),
but the citizens deliver him up to Joab, and so his rebellion is
crushed,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:16-22">ver. 16-22</A>.
The chapter concludes with a short account of David's great officers,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:23-26">ver. 23-26</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="2Sa20_1"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_2"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_3"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Sheba's Rebellion.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name
<I>was</I> Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a
trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we
inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O
Israel.
&nbsp; 2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, <I>and</I>
followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto
their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
&nbsp; 3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took
the ten women <I>his</I> concubines, whom he had left to keep the
house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto
them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in
widowhood.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
David, in the midst of his triumphs, has here the affliction to see his
kingdom disturbed and his family disgraced.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. His subjects revolting from him at the instigation of <I>a man of
Belial,</I> whom they followed when they forsook the <I>man after God's
own heart.</I> 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
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
who had his habitation in Mount Ephraim,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
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
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:1,2">Ps. ii. 1, 2</A>);
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 a rebellion. The men of Israel complained to
David of the slight which the men of Judah had put upon them. If he had
now countenanced their complaint, commended their zeal, and returned
them thanks for it, he might have confirmed them in his interest; but
he seemed partial to his own tribe: <I>Their words prevailed above the
words of the men of Israel;</I> as some read the last words of the
foregoing chapter. David inclined to justify them, and, when the men of
Israel perceived this, they flew off with indignation. "If the king
will suffer himself to be engrossed by the men of Judah, let him and
them make their best of one another, and we will set up one for
ourselves. We thought we had ten parts in David, but such an interest
will not be allowed us; the men of Judah tell us, in effect, <I>we have
no part in him,</I> and therefore we will have none, nor will we attend
him any further in his return to Jerusalem, nor own him for our king."
This was proclaimed by Sheba
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
who probably was a man of note, and had been active in Absalom's
rebellion; the disgusted Israelites took the hint, and <I>went up from
after David to follow Sheba</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
that is, the generality of them did so, only the men of Judah adhered
to him. Learn hence,
(1.) That it is as impolitic for princes to be partial in their
attentions to their subjects as it is for parents to be so to their
children; both should carry it with an even hand.
(2.) Those know not what they do that make light of the affections of
their inferiors, by not countenancing and accepting it. Their hatred
may be feared whose love is despised.
(3.) <I>The beginning of strife is as the letting forth of water;</I>
it is <I>therefore</I> wisdom to <I>leave it off before it be meddled
with,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+17:14">Prov. xvii. 14</A>.
How great a matter doth a little of this fire kindle!
(4.) The perverting of words is the subverting of peace; and much
mischief is made by forcing invidious constructions upon what is said
and written and drawing consequences that were never intended. The men
of Judah said, <I>The king is near of kin to us.</I> "By this," say the
men of Israel, "you mean that <I>we have no part in him;</I>" whereas
they meant no such thing.
(5.) People are very apt to run into extremes. <I>We have ten parts in
David,</I> said they; and, almost in the next breath, <I>We have no
part in him.</I> Today <I>Hosanna,</I> to-morrow <I>Crucify.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. His concubines imprisoned for life, and he himself under a
necessity of putting them in confinement, because they had been defiled
by Absalom,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
David had multiplied wives, contrary to the law and they proved a grief
and shame to him. Those whom he had sinfully taken pleasure in he was
now,
1. Obliged, in duty, to put away, they being rendered unclean to him by
the vile uncleanness his son had committed with them. Those whom he had
loved must now be loathed.
2. Obliged, in prudence, to shut up in privacy, not to be seen abroad
for shame, lest the sight of them should give occasion to people to
speak of what Absalom had done to them, which ought not to be so much
as named,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:1">1 Cor. v. 1</A>.
That that villany might be buried in obscurity.
3. Obliged, in justice to shut up in prison, to punish them for their
easy submission to Absalom's lust, despairing perhaps of David's
return, and giving him up for gone. Let none expect to do ill and fare
well.</P>
<A NAME="2Sa20_4"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_5"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_6"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_7"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_8"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_9"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_10"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_11"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_12"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_13"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Amasa's Death.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>4 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah
within three days, and be thou here present.
&nbsp; 5 So Amasa went to assemble <I>the men of</I> Judah: but he tarried
longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
&nbsp; 6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri
do us more harm than <I>did</I> Absalom: take thou thy lord's
servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities,
and escape us.
&nbsp; 7 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites,
and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of
Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
&nbsp; 8 When they <I>were</I> at the great stone which <I>is</I> in Gibeon,
Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was
girded unto him, and upon it a girdle <I>with</I> a sword fastened
upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it
fell out.
&nbsp; 9 And Joab said to Amasa, <I>Art</I> thou in health, my brother? And
Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
&nbsp; 10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that <I>was</I> in Joab's
hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth <I>rib,</I> and shed out
his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died.
So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of
Bichri.
&nbsp; 11 And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that
favoureth Joab, and he that <I>is</I> for David, <I>let him go</I> after
Joab.
&nbsp; 12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And
when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed
Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon
him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
&nbsp; 13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went
on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We have here Amasa's fall just as he began to rise. He was nephew to
David
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+17:25"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 25</A>),
had been Absalom's general and commander-in-chief of his rebellious
army, but, that being routed, he came over into David's interest, upon
a promise that he should be general of his forces instead of Joab.
Sheba's rebellion gives David an occasion to fulfil his promise sooner
than he could wish, but Joab's envy and emulation rendered its
fulfillment of ill consequence both to him and David.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Amasa has a commission to raise forces for the suppressing of
Sheba's rebellion, and is ordered to raise them with all possible
expedition,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
It seems, the men of Judah, though forward to attend the king's
triumphs, were backward enough to fight his battles; else, when they
were all in a body attending him to Jerusalem, they might immediately
have pursued Sheba, and have crushed that cockatrice in the egg. But
most love a loyalty, as well as a religion, that is cheap and easy.
Many boast of their being akin to Christ that yet are very loth to
venture for him. Amasa is sent to assemble the men of Judah within
three days; but he finds them so backward and unready that he cannot do
it within the time appointed
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
though the promotion of Amasa, who had been their general under
Absalom, was very obliging to them, and a proof of the clemency of
David's government.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Upon Amasa's delay, Abishai, the brother of Joab, is ordered to
take the guards and standing forces, and with them to pursue Sheba
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>),
for nothing could be of more dangerous consequence than to give him
time. David gives these orders to Abishai, because he resolves to
mortify Joab, and degrade him, not so much, I doubt, for the blood of
Abner, which he had shed basely, as for the blood of Absalom, which he
had shed justly and honourably. "Now (says bishop Hall) Joab smarteth
for a loyal disobedience. How slippery are the stations of earthly
honours and subject to continual mutability! Happy are those who are in
favour with him in whom there is no shadow of change." Joab, without
orders, though in disgrace, goes along with his brother, knowing he
might be serviceable to the public, or perhaps now meditating the
removal of his rival.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. Joab, near Gibeon, meets with Amasa, and barbarously murders him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:8-10"><I>v.</I> 8-10</A>.
It should seem, the great stone in Gibeon was the place appointed for
the general rendezvous. There the rivals met; and Amasa, relying upon
his commission, went before, as general both of the new-raised forces
which he had got together, and of the veteran troops which Abishai had
brought in; but Joab there took an opportunity to kill him with his own
hand; and,
1. He did it subtilely, and with contrivance, and not upon a sudden
provocation. He girded his coat about him, that it might not hang in
his way, and girded his belt upon his coat, that his sword might be the
readier to his hand; he also put his sword in a sheath too big for it,
that, whenever he pleased, it might, upon a little shake, fall out, as
if it fell by accident, and so he might take it into his hand,
unsuspected, as if he were going to return it into the scabbard, when
he designed to sheath it in the bowels of Amasa. The more there is of
plot in a sin the worse it is.
2. He did it treacherously, and under pretence of friendship, that
Amasa might not be upon his guard. He called him <I>brother,</I> for
they were own cousins, enquired of his welfare (<I>Art thou in
health?</I>) and <I>took him by the beard,</I> as one he was free with,
to kiss him, while with the drawn sword in his other hand he was aiming
at his heart. Was this done like a gentleman, like a soldier, like a
general? No, but like a villain, like a base coward. Just thus he slew
Abner, and went unpunished for it, which encouraged him to do the like
again.
3. He did it impudently, not in a corner, but at the head of his
troops, and in their sight, as one that was neither ashamed nor afraid
to do it, that was so hardened in blood and murders that he could
neither blush nor tremble.
4. He did it at one blow, gave the fatal push with a good-will, as we
say, so that he needed not strike him again; with such a strong and
steady hand he gave this one stroke that it was fatal.
5. He did it in contempt and defiance of David and the commission he
had given to Amasa; for that commission was the only ground of his
quarrel with him, so that David was struck at through the side of
Amasa, and was, in effect, told to his face that Joab would be general,
in spite of him.
6. He did it very unseasonably, when they were going against a common
enemy and were concerned to be unanimous. This ill-timed quarrel might
have scattered their forces, or engaged them one against another, and
so have made them all an easy prey to Sheba. So contentedly could Joab
sacrifice the interest both of king and kingdom to his personal
revenge.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. Joab immediately resumes his general's place, and takes care to
lead the army on in pursuit of Sheba, that, if possible, he might
prevent any prejudice to the common cause by what he had done.
1. He leaves one of his men to make proclamation to the forces that
were coming up that they were still engaged in David's cause, but under
Joab's command,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
He knew what an interest he had in the soldiery, and how many favoured
him rather than Amasa, who had been a traitor, was now a turn-coat, and
had never been successful; on this he boldly relied, and called them
all to follow him. What man of Judah would not be for his old king and
his old general? But one would wonder with what face a murderer could
pursue a traitor; and how, under such a heavy load of guilt, he had
courage to enter upon danger. Surely his conscience was seared with a
hot iron.
2. Care is taken to remove the dead body out of the way, because at
that they made a stand (as
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+2:23"><I>ch.</I> ii. 23</A>),
and to cover it with a cloth,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:12,13"><I>v.</I> 12, 13</A>.
Wicked men think themselves safe in their wickedness if they can but
conceal it from the eye of the world: if it be hidden, it is with them
as if it were never done. But the covering of blood with a cloth cannot
stop its cry in God's ear for vengeance, or make it the less loud.
However, since this was no time to arraign Joab for what he had done,
and the common safety called for expedition, it was prudent to remove
that which retarded the march of the army; and then they all went on
after Joab, while David, who no doubt had notice soon brought him of
this tragedy, could not but reflect upon it with regret that he had not
formerly done justice upon Joab for the death of Abner, and that he now
had exposed Amasa by preferring him. And perhaps his conscience
reminded him of his employing Joab in the murder of Uriah, which had
helped to harden him in cruelty.</P>
<A NAME="2Sa20_14"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_15"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_16"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_17"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_18"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_19"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_20"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_21"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_22"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Sheba Pursued.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and
to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered
together, and went also after him.
&nbsp; 15 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and
they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench:
and all the people that <I>were</I> with Joab battered the wall, to
throw it down.
&nbsp; 16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I
pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with
thee.
&nbsp; 17 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, <I>Art</I>
thou Joab? And he answered, I <I>am he.</I> Then she said unto him,
Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
&nbsp; 18 Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time,
saying, They shall surely ask <I>counsel</I> at Abel: and so they
ended <I>the matter.</I>
&nbsp; 19 I <I>am one of them that are</I> peaceable <I>and</I> faithful in
Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel:
why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>?
&nbsp; 20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me,
that I should swallow up or destroy.
&nbsp; 21 The matter <I>is</I> not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba
the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the
king, <I>even</I> against David: deliver him only, and I will depart
from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head
shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
&nbsp; 22 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And
they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast <I>it</I>
out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the
city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto
the king.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We have here the conclusion of Sheba's attempt.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The rebel, when he had rambled over all the tribes of Israel, and
found them not so willing, upon second thoughts, to follow him, as they
had been upon a sudden provocation to desert David (having only picked
up a few like himself, that sided with him), at length entered
Abel-Beth-maacah, a strong city in the north, in the lot of Naphtali,
where we find it placed,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+15:29">2 Kings xv. 29</A>.
Here he took shelter, whether by force or with consent does not appear;
but his adherents were most Berites, of Beeroth in Benjamin,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
One bad man will find or make more.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Joab drew up all his force against the city, besieged it, battered
the wall, and made it almost ready for a general storm,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
Justly is that place attacked with all this fury which dares harbour a
traitor; nor will that heart fare better which indulges those
rebellious lusts that will not have Christ to reign over them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. A discreet good woman of the city of Abel brings this matter, by
her prudent management, to a good issue, so as to satisfy Joab and yet
save the city. Here is,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. Her treaty with Joab, and her capitulation with him, by which he is
engaged to raise the siege, upon condition that Sheba be delivered up.
It seems, none of all the men of Abel, none of the elders or
magistrates, offered to treat with Joab, no, not when they were reduced
to the last extremity. They were stupid and unconcerned for the public
safety, or they stood in awe of Sheba, or they despaired of gaining any
good terms with Joab, or they had not sense enough to manage the
treaty. But this one woman and her wisdom saved the city. Souls know no
difference of sexes. Though the man be the head, it does not therefore
follow that he has the monopoly of the brains, and therefore he ought
not, by any salique law, to have the monopoly of the crown. Many a
masculine heart, and more than masculine, has been found in a female
breast; nor is the treasure of wisdom the less valuable for being
lodged in the weaker vessel. In the treaty between this nameless
heroine and Joab,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(1.) She gains his audience and attention,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>.
We may suppose it was the first time he had ever treated with a woman
in martial affairs.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(2.) She reasons with him on behalf of her city, and very ingeniously.
[1.] That it was a city famous for wisdom
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
as we translate it. She pleads that this city had been long in such
reputation for prudent knowing men that it was the common referee of
the country, and all agreed to abide by the award of its elders. Their
sentence was an oracle; let them be consulted and the matter is ended,
all sides will acquiesce. Now shall such a city as this be laid in
ashes and never treated with?
[2.] That the inhabitants were generally peaceable and faithful in
Israel,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
She could speak, not for herself only, but for all those whose cause
she pleaded, that they were not of turbulent and seditious spirits, but
of known fidelity to their prince and peaceableness with their
fellow-subjects; they were neither seditious nor litigious.
[3.] That it was a mother in Israel, a guide and nurse to the towns and
country about; and that it was a part of <I>the inheritance of the
Lord,</I> a city of Israelites, not of heathen; and the destruction of
it would lessen and weaken that nation which God had chosen for his
heritage.
[4.] That they expected him to offer them peace before he made an
attack upon the, according to that known law of war,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+20:10">Deut. xx. 10</A>.
So the margin reads
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
<I>They plainly spoke in the beginning</I> (of the siege), <I>saying,
Surely they will ask of Abel,</I> that is, "The besiegers will demand
the traitor, and will ask us to surrender him; and if they do, we will
soon come to an agreement, and so end the matter." Thus she tacitly
upbraids Joab for not offering them peace, but hopes it is not too late
to beg it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(3.) Joab and Abel's advocate soon agree that Sheba's head shall be the
ransom of the city. Joab, though in a personal quarrel he had lately
swallowed up and destroyed Amasa, yet, when he acts as a general, will
by no means bear the imputation of delighting in bloodshed: "<I>Far be
it from me that I should</I> delight to <I>swallow up or destroy,</I>
or design it but when it is necessary for the public safety,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
The matter is not so. Our quarrel is not with your city; we would
hazard our lives for its protection. Our quarrel is only with the
traitor that is harboured among you; deliver him up, and we have done."
A great deal of mischief would be prevented if contending parties would
but understand one another. The city obstinately holds out, believing
Joab aims at its ruin. Joab furiously attacks it, believing the
citizens all confederates with Sheba. Whereas both were mistaken; let
both sides be undeceived, and the matter is soon accommodated. The
single condition of peace is the surrender of the traitor. It is so in
God's dealing with the soul, when it is besieged by conviction and
distress: sin is the traitor; the beloved lust is the rebel; part with
that, cast away the transgression, and all shall be well. No peace on
any other terms. Our wise woman immediately agrees to the proposal:
<I>Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee presently.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. Her treaty with the citizens. She went to them in her wisdom (and
perhaps she had as much need of it in dealing with them as in dealing
with Joab) and persuaded them to cut off Sheba's head, probably by some
public order of their government, and it was thrown over the wall to
Joab. He knew the traitor's face, and therefore looked no further,
intending not that any of his adherents should suffer. The public
safety was secured, and he felt no wish to gratify the public revenge.
Joab hereupon raised the siege, and marched back to Jerusalem, with the
trophies rather of peace than victory.</P>
<A NAME="2Sa20_23"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_24"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_25"> </A>
<A NAME="2Sa20_26"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>David's Court.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 Now Joab <I>was</I> over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the
son of Jehoiada <I>was</I> over the Cherethites and over the
Pelethites:
&nbsp; 24 And Adoram <I>was</I> over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son
of Ahilud <I>was</I> recorder:
&nbsp; 25 And Sheva <I>was</I> scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar <I>were</I> the
priests:
&nbsp; 26 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here is an account of the state of David's court after his restoration.
Joab retained the office of general, being too great to be displaced.
Benaiah, as before, was captain of the guards. Here is one new office
erected, which we had not
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+8:16-18"><I>ch.</I> viii. 16-18</A>),
that of <I>treasurer,</I> or one <I>over the tribute,</I> for it was
not till towards the latter end of his time that David began to raise
taxes. Adoram was long in this office, but it cost him his life at
last,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+12:18">1 Kings xii. 18</A>.</P>
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