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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D S A M U E L</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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How do the clouds return after the rain! No sooner is one of David's
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troubles over than another arises, as it were out of the ashes of the
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former, wherein the threatening is fulfilled, that the sword should
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never depart from his house.
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I. Before he reaches Jerusalem a new rebellion is raised by Sheba,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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II. His first work, when he comes to Jerusalem, is to condemn his
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concubines to perpetual imprisonment,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:3">ver. 3</A>.
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III. Amass, whom he entrusts to raise an army against Sheba, is too
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slow in his motions, which puts him into a fright,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:4-6">ver. 4-6</A>.
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IV. One of his generals barbarously murders the other, when they are
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taking the field,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:7-13">ver. 7-13</A>.
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V. Sheba is at length shut up in the city of Abel
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:14,15">ver. 14, 15</A>),
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but the citizens deliver him up to Joab, and so his rebellion is
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crushed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:16-22">ver. 16-22</A>.
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The chapter concludes with a short account of David's great officers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:23-26">ver. 23-26</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Sheba's Rebellion.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name
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<I>was</I> Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a
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trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we
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inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O
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Israel.
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2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, <I>and</I>
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followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto
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their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
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3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took
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the ten women <I>his</I> concubines, whom he had left to keep the
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house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto
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them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in
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widowhood.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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David, in the midst of his triumphs, has here the affliction to see his
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kingdom disturbed and his family disgraced.</P>
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<P>
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I. His subjects revolting from him at the instigation of <I>a man of
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Belial,</I> whom they followed when they forsook the <I>man after God's
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own heart.</I> Observe,
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1. That this happened immediately upon the crushing of Absalom's
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rebellion. We must not think it strange, while we are in this world, if
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the end of one trouble be the beginning of another: deep sometimes
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calls unto deep.
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2. That the people were now just returning to their allegiance, when,
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of a sudden, they flew off from it. When a reconciliation is newly
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made, it ought to be handled with great tenderness and caution, lest
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the peace break again before it be settled. A broken bone, when it is
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set, must have time to knot.
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3. That the ring-leader of this rebellion was Sheba, a Benjamite by
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birth
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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who had his habitation in Mount Ephraim,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
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Shimei and he were both of Saul's tribe, and both retained the ancient
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grudge of that house. Against the kingdom of the Messiah there is an
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hereditary enmity in the serpent's seed, and a succession of attempts
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to overthrow it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:1,2">Ps. ii. 1, 2</A>);
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but he that sits in heaven laughs at them all.
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4. That the occasion of it was that foolish quarrel, which we read of
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in the close of the foregoing chapter, between the elders of Israel and
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the elders of Judah, about bringing the king back. It was a point of
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honour that was disputed between them, which had most interest in
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David. "We are more numerous," say the elders of Israel. "We are nearer
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akin to him," say the elders of Judah. Now one would think David very
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safe and happy when his subjects are striving which shall love him
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best, and be most forward to show him respect; yet even that strife
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proves the occasion of a rebellion. The men of Israel complained to
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David of the slight which the men of Judah had put upon them. If he had
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now countenanced their complaint, commended their zeal, and returned
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them thanks for it, he might have confirmed them in his interest; but
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he seemed partial to his own tribe: <I>Their words prevailed above the
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words of the men of Israel;</I> as some read the last words of the
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foregoing chapter. David inclined to justify them, and, when the men of
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Israel perceived this, they flew off with indignation. "If the king
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will suffer himself to be engrossed by the men of Judah, let him and
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them make their best of one another, and we will set up one for
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ourselves. We thought we had ten parts in David, but such an interest
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will not be allowed us; the men of Judah tell us, in effect, <I>we have
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no part in him,</I> and therefore we will have none, nor will we attend
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him any further in his return to Jerusalem, nor own him for our king."
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This was proclaimed by Sheba
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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who probably was a man of note, and had been active in Absalom's
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rebellion; the disgusted Israelites took the hint, and <I>went up from
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after David to follow Sheba</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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that is, the generality of them did so, only the men of Judah adhered
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to him. Learn hence,
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(1.) That it is as impolitic for princes to be partial in their
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attentions to their subjects as it is for parents to be so to their
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children; both should carry it with an even hand.
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(2.) Those know not what they do that make light of the affections of
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their inferiors, by not countenancing and accepting it. Their hatred
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may be feared whose love is despised.
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(3.) <I>The beginning of strife is as the letting forth of water;</I>
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it is <I>therefore</I> wisdom to <I>leave it off before it be meddled
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with,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+17:14">Prov. xvii. 14</A>.
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How great a matter doth a little of this fire kindle!
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(4.) The perverting of words is the subverting of peace; and much
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mischief is made by forcing invidious constructions upon what is said
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and written and drawing consequences that were never intended. The men
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of Judah said, <I>The king is near of kin to us.</I> "By this," say the
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men of Israel, "you mean that <I>we have no part in him;</I>" whereas
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they meant no such thing.
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(5.) People are very apt to run into extremes. <I>We have ten parts in
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David,</I> said they; and, almost in the next breath, <I>We have no
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part in him.</I> Today <I>Hosanna,</I> to-morrow <I>Crucify.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. His concubines imprisoned for life, and he himself under a
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necessity of putting them in confinement, because they had been defiled
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by Absalom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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David had multiplied wives, contrary to the law and they proved a grief
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and shame to him. Those whom he had sinfully taken pleasure in he was
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now,
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1. Obliged, in duty, to put away, they being rendered unclean to him by
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the vile uncleanness his son had committed with them. Those whom he had
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loved must now be loathed.
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2. Obliged, in prudence, to shut up in privacy, not to be seen abroad
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for shame, lest the sight of them should give occasion to people to
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speak of what Absalom had done to them, which ought not to be so much
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as named,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:1">1 Cor. v. 1</A>.
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That that villany might be buried in obscurity.
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3. Obliged, in justice to shut up in prison, to punish them for their
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easy submission to Absalom's lust, despairing perhaps of David's
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return, and giving him up for gone. Let none expect to do ill and fare
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well.</P>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Sa20_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Amasa's Death.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah
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within three days, and be thou here present.
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5 So Amasa went to assemble <I>the men of</I> Judah: but he tarried
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longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
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6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri
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do us more harm than <I>did</I> Absalom: take thou thy lord's
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servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities,
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and escape us.
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7 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites,
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and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of
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Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
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8 When they <I>were</I> at the great stone which <I>is</I> in Gibeon,
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Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was
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girded unto him, and upon it a girdle <I>with</I> a sword fastened
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upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it
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fell out.
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9 And Joab said to Amasa, <I>Art</I> thou in health, my brother? And
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Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
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10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that <I>was</I> in Joab's
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hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth <I>rib,</I> and shed out
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his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died.
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So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of
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Bichri.
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11 And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that
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favoureth Joab, and he that <I>is</I> for David, <I>let him go</I> after
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Joab.
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12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And
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when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed
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Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon
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him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
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13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went
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on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here Amasa's fall just as he began to rise. He was nephew to
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David
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+17:25"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 25</A>),
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had been Absalom's general and commander-in-chief of his rebellious
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army, but, that being routed, he came over into David's interest, upon
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a promise that he should be general of his forces instead of Joab.
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Sheba's rebellion gives David an occasion to fulfil his promise sooner
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than he could wish, but Joab's envy and emulation rendered its
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fulfillment of ill consequence both to him and David.</P>
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<P>
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I. Amasa has a commission to raise forces for the suppressing of
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Sheba's rebellion, and is ordered to raise them with all possible
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expedition,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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It seems, the men of Judah, though forward to attend the king's
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triumphs, were backward enough to fight his battles; else, when they
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were all in a body attending him to Jerusalem, they might immediately
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have pursued Sheba, and have crushed that cockatrice in the egg. But
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most love a loyalty, as well as a religion, that is cheap and easy.
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Many boast of their being akin to Christ that yet are very loth to
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venture for him. Amasa is sent to assemble the men of Judah within
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three days; but he finds them so backward and unready that he cannot do
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it within the time appointed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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though the promotion of Amasa, who had been their general under
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Absalom, was very obliging to them, and a proof of the clemency of
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David's government.</P>
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<P>
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II. Upon Amasa's delay, Abishai, the brother of Joab, is ordered to
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take the guards and standing forces, and with them to pursue Sheba
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>),
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for nothing could be of more dangerous consequence than to give him
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time. David gives these orders to Abishai, because he resolves to
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mortify Joab, and degrade him, not so much, I doubt, for the blood of
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Abner, which he had shed basely, as for the blood of Absalom, which he
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had shed justly and honourably. "Now (says bishop Hall) Joab smarteth
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for a loyal disobedience. How slippery are the stations of earthly
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honours and subject to continual mutability! Happy are those who are in
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favour with him in whom there is no shadow of change." Joab, without
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orders, though in disgrace, goes along with his brother, knowing he
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might be serviceable to the public, or perhaps now meditating the
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removal of his rival.</P>
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<P>
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III. Joab, near Gibeon, meets with Amasa, and barbarously murders him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:8-10"><I>v.</I> 8-10</A>.
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It should seem, the great stone in Gibeon was the place appointed for
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the general rendezvous. There the rivals met; and Amasa, relying upon
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his commission, went before, as general both of the new-raised forces
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which he had got together, and of the veteran troops which Abishai had
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brought in; but Joab there took an opportunity to kill him with his own
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hand; and,
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1. He did it subtilely, and with contrivance, and not upon a sudden
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provocation. He girded his coat about him, that it might not hang in
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his way, and girded his belt upon his coat, that his sword might be the
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readier to his hand; he also put his sword in a sheath too big for it,
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that, whenever he pleased, it might, upon a little shake, fall out, as
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if it fell by accident, and so he might take it into his hand,
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unsuspected, as if he were going to return it into the scabbard, when
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he designed to sheath it in the bowels of Amasa. The more there is of
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plot in a sin the worse it is.
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2. He did it treacherously, and under pretence of friendship, that
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Amasa might not be upon his guard. He called him <I>brother,</I> for
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they were own cousins, enquired of his welfare (<I>Art thou in
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health?</I>) and <I>took him by the beard,</I> as one he was free with,
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to kiss him, while with the drawn sword in his other hand he was aiming
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at his heart. Was this done like a gentleman, like a soldier, like a
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general? No, but like a villain, like a base coward. Just thus he slew
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Abner, and went unpunished for it, which encouraged him to do the like
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again.
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3. He did it impudently, not in a corner, but at the head of his
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troops, and in their sight, as one that was neither ashamed nor afraid
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to do it, that was so hardened in blood and murders that he could
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neither blush nor tremble.
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4. He did it at one blow, gave the fatal push with a good-will, as we
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say, so that he needed not strike him again; with such a strong and
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steady hand he gave this one stroke that it was fatal.
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5. He did it in contempt and defiance of David and the commission he
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had given to Amasa; for that commission was the only ground of his
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quarrel with him, so that David was struck at through the side of
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Amasa, and was, in effect, told to his face that Joab would be general,
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in spite of him.
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6. He did it very unseasonably, when they were going against a common
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enemy and were concerned to be unanimous. This ill-timed quarrel might
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have scattered their forces, or engaged them one against another, and
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so have made them all an easy prey to Sheba. So contentedly could Joab
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sacrifice the interest both of king and kingdom to his personal
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revenge.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Joab immediately resumes his general's place, and takes care to
|
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lead the army on in pursuit of Sheba, that, if possible, he might
|
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prevent any prejudice to the common cause by what he had done.
|
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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,
|
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
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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>
|
|
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|
<A NAME="2Sa20_14"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="2Sa20_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Sa20_16"> </A>
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|
<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>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Sheba Pursued.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1023.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
|
|
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<P>
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|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and
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|
to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered
|
|
together, and went also after him.
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|
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:
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|
and all the people that <I>were</I> with Joab battered the wall, to
|
|
throw it down.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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>
|
|
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>?
|
|
20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me,
|
|
that I should swallow up or destroy.
|
|
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.
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
We have here the conclusion of Sheba's attempt.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(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>
|
|
|
|
(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>
|
|
|
|
(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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
<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:
|
|
24 And Adoram <I>was</I> over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son
|
|
of Ahilud <I>was</I> recorder:
|
|
25 And Sheva <I>was</I> scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar <I>were</I> the
|
|
priests:
|
|
26 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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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