My Rock, My Fortress, My Deliverer

II Samuel 20-22

As we get into chapter 20, we find that the counsel of Joab was correct. The coup attempted by Absalom had caused a division among the nation of Israel. Then, when David went to war and his enemy was defeated, David cared more about his enemy than his loyal followers. Even though Joab counseled David to speak to the people, and he did, the damage was done. This opened the door for a man named Sheba to take his turn at taking the throne from David.

Sheba blows a trumpet and gets everyone’s attention. Trumpets were blown for very important announcements like religious proclamations, political proclamations, or to prepare for war because the enemy was coming. Sheba was making a political statement to rebel against David. He pitted the tribes against each other. David was from Judah so why should the other nine tribes follow him?

We can tell also that this happened very quickly after Absalom’s defeat because David is just getting home and putting his house back in order. One of the first things he does is take the ten concubines who were defiled by Absalom and move them into a house separate from everyone else. He did not kick them out, but they were isolated to live the remainder of their lives as widows. He then addresses the issue of Sheba.

David has replaced Joab with Amasa and sends him out to prepare the army. Amasa take longer than expected and David tells Abishai that Sheba is going to cause more harm than Absalom. Abishai is Joab’s brother and these two are a pair. It seems as though any time these two are together in scripture, someone dies. This time is no exception.

Joab and Abishai go out to war with Amasa. When opportunity presents itself, Joab stabs Amasa with his sword. As Amasa lays dying beside the road, the army stares. Joab places a robe over him, so the army doesn’t see him and commands them to follow him. They do and chase Sheba into a city. Joab and his men lay siege to the city and a wise woman calls out to Joab. She asks why innocent people are going to die? Joab says they won’t if the people will cut off Sheba’s head and throw it out. The people do and Joab returns home, victorious.

Chapter 21 tells of a famine hitting Israel. David asks God why the famine is hitting the land and God reveals that it is because of a sin that Saul committed against the Gibeonites when he was king. The sin must be paid for. David goes to the Gibeonites and they ask for seven of Saul’s family members to be brought to them to be executed. David does this, but spares Mephibosheth (because of his vow to Jonathan) and they are executed. The famine ended in Israel. The old score was settled and the Gibeonites received justice.

We also learn that David is getting old and unfit to lead the people in battle. Though not recorded in scripture, David might have used the words of Jesus first “…the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). David’s men forbid him from going out to war with them. We then see a list of David’s mighty men. If Israel had had such awards at that time, these would have been the silver star recipients from David’s army.

In chapter 22, after David’s enemies are defeated, David acknowledges where his victory came from. Chapter 22 is a Psalm of praise to God for hearing, protecting, fighting for, and giving David the victory. I do not have time to get into this Psalm but read it and try to imagine the description David is giving. God coming down as a mighty thunderstorm to fight his enemies is an awesome picture!

People crave power. Absalom, Joab, and Sheba all chased power and it would cost all of them their lives. No, Joab is not dead, but he will pay for all the people he has murdered in his rise and struggle to hold onto being head of David’s army. On the other hand, David did not desire to be king, but it was given to him. He did not reject or despise the position either. He wanted to serve God in whatever way God saw fit. David was a sinful man, but his heart was turned towards God. When he messed up, he ran back to God. Yes, his sins were many and they were great, but he always ran back to God. Chapter 22 reveals the passion with which David pursued God. He could have been lifted with pride but instead he gave God the glory. This was not a simple trite prayer either, he put great effort into his description of God’s provision and protection. This was a song and it required work. David put in the work to praise God because he believed God to be worth it.

As we are moving towards Easter, is God worth it to you? Do we put effort into our praise, or do we halfheartedly sing songs that someone else leads us in? A worship leader does not actually lead worship. He/she might lead in singing, but worship comes from the individual and must come from their heart. Is Jesus worth the effort to us?