mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 20.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.xxi" n="xxi" next="iiSam.xxii" prev="iiSam.xx" progress="48.40%" title="Chapter XX">
<h2 id="iiSam.xxi-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.xxi-p0.2">CHAP. XX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.xxi-p1">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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.1-2Sam.20.2" parsed="|2Sam|20|1|20|2" passage="2Sa 20:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. II. His first work, when
he comes to Jerusalem, is to condemn his concubines to perpetual
imprisonment, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.3" parsed="|2Sam|20|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:3">ver. 3</scripRef>. III.
Amass, whom he entrusts to raise an army against Sheba, is too slow
in his motions, which puts him into a fright, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.4-2Sam.20.6" parsed="|2Sam|20|4|20|6" passage="2Sa 20:4-6">ver. 4-6</scripRef>. IV. One of his generals
barbarously murders the other, when they are taking the field,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.7-2Sam.20.13" parsed="|2Sam|20|7|20|13" passage="2Sa 20:7-13">ver. 7-13</scripRef>. V. Sheba is
at length shut up in the city of Abel (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.14-2Sam.20.15" parsed="|2Sam|20|14|20|15" passage="2Sa 20:14,15">ver. 14, 15</scripRef>), but the citizens deliver
him up to Joab, and so his rebellion is crushed, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.16-2Sam.20.22" parsed="|2Sam|20|16|20|22" passage="2Sa 20:16-22">ver. 16-22</scripRef>. The chapter concludes with a
short account of David's great officers, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.23-2Sam.20.26" parsed="|2Sam|20|23|20|26" passage="2Sa 20:23-26">ver. 23-26</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xxi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20" parsed="|2Sam|20|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 20" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xxi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.1-2Sam.20.3" parsed="|2Sam|20|1|20|3" passage="2Sa 20:1-3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.20.1-2Sam.20.3">
<h4 id="iiSam.xxi-p1.10">Sheba's Rebellion. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxi-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xxi-p2">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.   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.   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p3">David, in the midst of his triumphs, has
here the affliction to see his kingdom disturbed and his family
disgraced.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p4">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 (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.1" parsed="|2Sam|20|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), who
had his habitation in Mount Ephraim, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.21" parsed="|2Sam|20|21|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. 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
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.1-Ps.2.2" parsed="|Ps|2|1|2|2" passage="Ps 2:1,2">Ps. ii. 1, 2</scripRef>); 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 (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.1" parsed="|2Sam|20|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), 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> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.2" parsed="|2Sam|20|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), 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> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.17.14" parsed="|Prov|17|14|0|0" passage="Pr 17:14">Prov. xvii. 14</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p5">II. His concubines imprisoned for life, and
he himself under a necessity of putting them in confinement,
because they had been defiled by Absalom, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.3" parsed="|2Sam|20|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.5.1" parsed="|1Cor|5|1|0|0" passage="1Co 5:1">1 Cor. v. 1</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xxi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.4-2Sam.20.13" parsed="|2Sam|20|4|20|13" passage="2Sa 20:4-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.20.4-2Sam.20.13">
<h4 id="iiSam.xxi-p5.4">Amasa's Death. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxi-p5.5">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xxi-p6">4 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the
men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.   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.   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.
  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.
  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.   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.   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.   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.   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.   13 When he was
removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to
pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p7">We have here Amasa's fall just as he began
to rise. He was nephew to David (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.17.25" parsed="|2Sam|17|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 17:25"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 25</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p8">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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.4" parsed="|2Sam|20|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.5" parsed="|2Sam|20|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p9">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 (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.6-2Sam.20.7" parsed="|2Sam|20|6|20|7" passage="2Sa 20:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p10">III. Joab, near Gibeon, meets with Amasa,
and barbarously murders him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.8-2Sam.20.10" parsed="|2Sam|20|8|20|10" passage="2Sa 20:8-10"><i>v.</i> 8-10</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p11">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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.11" parsed="|2Sam|20|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. 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 <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.2.23" parsed="|2Sam|2|23|0|0" passage="2Sa 2:23"><i>ch.</i> ii. 23</scripRef>), and to cover it
with a cloth, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.12-2Sam.20.13" parsed="|2Sam|20|12|20|13" passage="2Sa 20:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12,
13</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xxi-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.14-2Sam.20.22" parsed="|2Sam|20|14|20|22" passage="2Sa 20:14-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.20.14-2Sam.20.22">
<h4 id="iiSam.xxi-p11.5">Sheba Pursued. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxi-p11.6">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xxi-p12">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.   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.
  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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxi-p12.1">Lord</span>?  
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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p13">We have here the conclusion of Sheba's
attempt.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p14">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,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.15.29" parsed="|2Kgs|15|29|0|0" passage="2Ki 15:29">2 Kings xv. 29</scripRef>. Here he
took shelter, whether by force or with consent does not appear; but
his adherents were most Berites, of Beeroth in Benjamin, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.14" parsed="|2Sam|20|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. One bad man will find
or make more.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p15">II. Joab drew up all his force against the
city, besieged it, battered the wall, and made it almost ready for
a general storm, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.15" parsed="|2Sam|20|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p16">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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p17">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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p18">(1.) She gains his audience and attention,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.16-2Sam.20.17" parsed="|2Sam|20|16|20|17" passage="2Sa 20:16,17"><i>v.</i> 16, 17</scripRef>. We
may suppose it was the first time he had ever treated with a woman
in martial affairs.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p19">(2.) She reasons with him on behalf of her
city, and very ingeniously. [1.] That it was a city famous for
wisdom (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.18" parsed="|2Sam|20|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.19" parsed="|2Sam|20|19|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.20.10" parsed="|Deut|20|10|0|0" passage="De 20:10">Deut. xx. 10</scripRef>. So the margin reads (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.18" parsed="|2Sam|20|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): <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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p20">(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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.20" parsed="|2Sam|20|20|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p21">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>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xxi-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.23-2Sam.20.26" parsed="|2Sam|20|23|20|26" passage="2Sa 20:23-26" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.20.23-2Sam.20.26">
<h4 id="iiSam.xxi-p21.2">David's Court. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxi-p21.3">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xxi-p22">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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxi-p23">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
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.16-2Sam.8.18" parsed="|2Sam|8|16|8|18" passage="2Sa 8:16-18"><i>ch.</i> viii.
16-18</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxi-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.12.18" parsed="|1Kgs|12|18|0|0" passage="1Ki 12:18">1
Kings xii. 18</scripRef>.</p>
</div></div2>