2 Samuel 20

2 Samuel 20

Pink: We have also seen how that, at length, David made a determined effort to strip Joab of his power, by removing him from the head of the army. Accordingly Amasa was selected as the one to replace him. But the king’s design was thwarted, frustrated by one of the vilest deeds chronicled in the Scriptures. Under pretense of paying obeisance to the new general, Joab thrust him through with the sword. Such an atrocity staggers the thoughtful, making them to wonder why God suffers such outrages to be perpetrated. This is indeed one of the dark mysteries of divine providence—why the Lord permits such monsters of wickedness to walk the earth. Faith is assured that He must have some sufficient reason. Though often God giveth "no account of His matters" (Job 33:13), yet His Word does indicate, more or less clearly, the general principles which regulate His governmental dealings. Walton taking by the beard. Greeting a nonrelative with a kiss is not often attested except in situations of obeisance (i.e., kissing the feet; found in many ancient texts, including the Epic of Gilgamesh). There are instances in which the kiss is a form of reconciliation (see Joseph and his brothers in Gen 45:15), and this may be the case with Joab and Amasa. It also could be an expression of concern or commiseration with a common problem, as in 2 Samuel 15:5. When men kissed, it would not have been unusual for one to grasp his fellow’s beard. This act makes each man vulnerable and is more often associated with aggressive action in battle. Here it is a sign of trust to allow the kiss. In this case, Amasa’s trust was misplaced, and Joab used the opportunity to eliminate his rival. (See page 350 IVP Bible Background Commentary) Josephus Antiquities 7 (chapter 11.7) - So Joab resolved to make no delay; but taking with him his brother, and those six hundred men, and giving orders that the rest of the army which was at Jerusalem should follow him, he marched with great speed against Sheba. And when he was come to Gibeon; which is a village forty furlongs distant from Jerusalem; Amasa brought a great army with him, and met Joab. Now Joab was girded with a sword, and his breast-plate on: and when Amasa came near him to salute him, he took particular care that his sword should fall out, as it were of its own accord. So he took it up from the ground: and while he approached Amasa, who was then near him, as though he would kiss him, he took hold of Amasa’s beard with his other hand, and he smote him in his belly when he did not foresee it, and slew him. This impious and altogether profane action Joab did to a good young man, and his kinsman, and one that had done him no injury; and this out of jealousy that he would obtain the chief command of the army, and be in equal dignity with himself about the King. And for the same cause it was that he killed Abner. But as to that former wicked action; the death of his brother Asahel, which he seemed to revenge, afforded him a decent pretence, and made that crime a pardonable one: but in this murder of Amasa there was no such covering for it. Now when Joab had killed this General, he pursued after Sheba: having left a man with the dead body: who was ordered to proclaim aloud to the army, that Amasa was justly slain, and deservedly punished. But, said he, if you be for the King, follow Joab, his General; and Abishai Joab’s brother. But because the body lay in the road, and all the multitude came running to it; and, as is usual with the multitude, stood wondering a great while at it; he that guarded it removed it thence, and carried it to a certain place that was very remote from the road, and there laid it, and covered it with his garment. When this was done all the people followed Joab. Now as he pursued Sheba through all the country of Israel, one told him, that he was in a strong city called Abel-beth-maachah. Hereupon Joab went thither, and sat about it with his army, and cast up a bank round it, and ordered his soldiers to undermine the walls, and to overthrow them. And since the people in the city did not admit him, he was greatly displeased at them. 2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab's hand so he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. Joab's: 2Sa 20:9 Jdg 3:21 1Ch 12:2 he smote: 2Sa 2:23 3:27 Ge 4:8 1Ki 2:5,6,31-34 and shed: Ac 1:18,19 struck him not again: Heb. doubled not his stroke, 1Sa 26:8 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AMASA'S NAIVETE COST HIM DEARLY But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab's hand so he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died - Joab is able to easily retrieve the sword which just happened to have fallen to the ground. It is hard to imagine that Amasa did not see this blade gleaming in the sun. But his naivete would cost him his life, for Joab strikes him with this sword while holding him close by his beard! Gulston points out, “Joab’s murders have horrible similarity about them. Abner was lured to his death by believing Joab wished to speak with him quietly. Amasa was struck down in the middle of what he thought was a friendly embrace. Both were unaware. Absalom had been an even more helpless victim. There was a total ruthlessness about Joab that was to bring its own retribution, but for a while longer he went unchallenged.” (Borrow David - Shepherd and King) Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri - Note the order of the names - Joab before Abishai. David had given the orders to pursue to Abishai, but clearly Joab now assumes his former job as commanding general. Powerful men will do almost anything to keep from losing their power! QUESTION - Who was Joab in the Bible? ANSWER - Joab was a son of Zeruiah, King David’s sister (1 Chronicles 2:13–17) and was therefore one of David’s nephews. Joab’s brothers were two of David’s brave warriors, Abishai and Asahel. Joab was positioned as commander of David’s armies because of his victory over the Jebusites, resulting in the possession of the city of Jerusalem. It was through this victory that Jerusalem became “the city of David” (1 Chronicles 11:4–9). Joab fought and won many battles for the king, but his personal lack of self-control was problematic. In a war against the forces of Ish-Bosheth, Joab’s brother Asahel was killed by Abner, the commander of Ish-Bosheth’s armies. Joab was furious and pursued Abner to kill him, but Abner escaped (2 Samuel 2:12–32). Later, after Abner swore allegiance to David, Joab’s fuse blew, and his desire to avenge his brother’s blood drove him to deceive and murder Abner (verses 26–27). This action deeply grieved David, but the king felt unable to bring justice against the mighty Joab (verse 39). Instead, David pronounced a curse over Joab and his future descendants: “May his blood fall on the head of Joab and on his whole family! May Joab’s family never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food” (verse 29). As the commander of David’s armies, Joab was provided many victories by God, but Joab caused much grief to the king and to Israel. His anger and perhaps the power of his position drove him to poor decisions at times. In addition to his murder of Abner, Joab killed his own cousin, Amasa—and his betrayal was Judas-style, accompanied by a kiss: “Joab said to Amasa, ‘How are you, my brother?’ Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died” (2 Samuel 20:9–10). Joab disobeyed King David’s command to spare Absalom’s life, himself striking Absalom with three javelins (2 Samuel 18). David mourned the death of his son Absalom, a response that was sternly reprimanded by Joab (2 Samuel 19:1–8). It was also Joab who, in accordance with David’s command, placed Uriah the Hittite at the front of the battle to be killed, so that David could feel justified in marrying Uriah’s widow (2 Samuel 11). Joab, for all his faults, was obviously a capable man of war and valiant on the battlefield. And he ought to be given credit for his loyalty to David for almost four decades. Joab also counseled David when David sinfully desired to take a census; if David had heeded Joab’s advice, he could have spared his nation the plague that befell Israel (2 Samuel 24). When David was on his death bed, Joab conspired with Adonijah to install Adonijah as the next king, instead of Solomon (1 Kings 1). This action, plus Joab’s other rash decisions, vengeful murders, and inability to take certain important orders, finally drove David over the edge. David commanded Solomon to ensure Joab’s execution, an act that was carried out by Benaniah as Joab was clinging to the horns of the altar in hopes of finding clemency (1 Kings 2:5–6, 28–34).GotQuestions.org 2 Samuel 20:11 Now there stood by him one of Joab's young men, and said, "Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab." He that: 2Sa 20:6,7,13,21 for David: 2Sa 20:4 2Ki 9:32 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JOAB'S MAN CALLS FOR MEN TO FOLLOW JOAB Now there stood by him one of Joab's young men, and said, "Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab." - In other, this astute aide of Joab, called out that those who were for Joab and on David's side should now follow Joab. Clearly Joab is now viewed by the men as their commanding officer and this would be solidified in 2Sa 20:23. 2 Samuel 20:12 But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. 2Sa 17:25 Ps 9:16 55:23 Pr 24:21,22 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JOAB'S AIDE REMOVES DEAD DETERRENT But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still - Amasa's bloody corpse was distracting the soldiers from heeding his charge to follow Joab. At the very least, the troops slowing to view the corpse, increased the chances that Sheba might get away and/or make it to a fortified city. Anderson - Whenever you have a fatal car accident, you will always find spectators and the gawkers and the lookers that want to witness the tragedy. The man appointed by Joab to stand there at that location realized he needed to do something so he dragged the corpse from the road into a field and threw a garment over it. 2 Samuel 20:13 As soon as he was removed from the highway, all the men passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. the highway: 2Sa 20:12,13 Nu 20:19 Jdg 21:19 1Sa 6:12 2Ki 18:17 Pr 16:17 Isa 7:3 Isa 36:2 62:10 Jer 31:21 Mk 10:46 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CLEARING CORPSE CLEARS THE WAY TO MOVE ON As soon as he was removed from the highway, all the men passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri - Corpse impediment clears the way for pursuit of Sheba. Blaikie: There is nothing to indicate that the kingdom was weakened in its external relations by the two insurrections that had taken place against David. It is to be observed that both of them were of very sort duration. Between Absalom’s proclamation of himself at Hebron and his death in the wood of Ephraim there must have been a very short interval, not more than a fortnight. The insurrection of Sheba was probably all over in a week. Foreign powers could scarcely have heard of the beginning of the revolts before they heard of the close of them. There would be nothing therefore to give them any encouragement to rebel against David, and they do not appear to have made any such attempt. But in another and higher sense these revolts left painful consequences behind them. The chastening to which David was exposed in connection with them was very humbling. His glory as king was seriously impaired. It was humiliating that he should have had to fly from before his own son. It was hardly less humiliating that he was seen to lie so much at the mercy of Joab. He is unable to depose Joab, and when he tried to do so, Joab not only kills his successor, but takes possession by his own authority of the vacant place. And David can say nothing. In this relation of David to Joab we have a sample of the trials of kings. Nominally supreme, they are often the servants of their ministers and officers. Certainly David was not always his own master. Joab was really above him; frustrated, doubtless, some excellent plans; did great service by his rough patriotism and ready valour, but injured the good name of David and the reputation of his government by his daring crimes. The retrospect of this period of his reign could have given little satisfaction to the king, since he had to trace it, with all its calamities and sorrow, to his own evil conduct. Related Resource: A Narrative Reading of Solomon’s Execution of Joab in 1 Kings 1–2: Letting Story Interpret Story JOEL EDMUND ANDERSON 2 Samuel 20:14 Now he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, even Beth-maacah, and all the Berites; and they were gathered together and also went after him. Abel: 1Ki 15:20 2Ki 15:29 2Ch 16:4 Berites: Jos 18:25, Beeroth 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Now he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel even Beth-maacah (cf. 1Ki 15:20; 2Ki 15:29) - In other words Sheba had traveled north across Israel, presumably picking up rebel recruits. Abel is about 110 miles north of Jerusalem (see map above) and about 5 miles to the west of the northern city of Dan. And all the Berites; and they were gathered together and also went after him The Berites were Sheba's own clan of Bicri who joined up with him to hold up in the city of Abel Beth-maacah. which was a strategic northern city (see map above and Wikipedia note on why it was so strategic). Josephus says it was a fortified city, and a metropolis of the Israelites; and also that it belonged to the ten tribes, having been taken from the king of Damascus. Abel-beth-maachah (meadow of the house of Maachah) was a city in the north of Palestine, in the neighbourhood of Dan and Ijon, in the tribe of Naphtali. It was a place of considerable strength and importance. It is called a "mother in Israel", i.e., a metropolis (2Sa 20:19). It was besieged by Joab (2Sa 20:14), by Benhadad (1Ki 15:20), and by Tiglath-pileser (2Ki 15:29) about B.C. 734. It is elsewhere called Abel-maim, meadow of the waters, (2Ch 16:4). Its site is occupied by the modern Abil or Abil-el-kamh, on a rising ground to the east of the brook Derdarah, which flows through the plain of Huleh into the Jordan, about 6 miles to the west-north-west of Dan. Wikipedia adds that "Tel Abel Beth Maacah (Hebrew: תֵּל אָבֵל בֵּית מַעֲכָה; Arabic: تل آبل القامع, romanized: Tell Abil el-Qameḥ) is a large archaeological tell with a small upper northern section and a large lower southern one, connected by a saddle. It is located on the northern border of present-day Israel, about 2 km south of the town of Metula and about 6.5 km west of Tel Dan.[1][2]....The site was fortified by walls and a rampart in the Middle Bronze Age II. These fortifications were reused in the Late Bronze Age in the south of the mound, but went out of commission in the Iron Age I.....The site is approximately 100 dunams (10 hectares) in size and sits astride the narrow defile of Nahal Ayun, one of the four headwaters of the Jordan River. The Tanur Waterfall, fed by the Iyyon, is located just north of the site. From its strategic vantage point overlooking the narrow northern end of the fertile Hula Valley, the site commands roads leading north to the Lebanese Beqaa Valley, northeast to inland Syria (Damascus) and Mesopotamia, and west to the Lebanese/Phoenician coast. The tell is identified with Abel Beth-Maacah mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and consists of an upper mound in the north and a larger lower mound in the south, with a moderately high saddle between them. The location of the town in such a strategic spot points to it having played a major role in the interaction between the various national groups and political powers in the Bronze Age (Canaanites, Hurrians/Mitannians, Egyptians, and Hittites) and the Iron Age (Israelites, Arameans and Phoenicians). Abel Beth Maacah was a border town, and as such, was exposed to these influences at the same time that it fulfilled the role of buffering, or bearing the brunt of, foreign invasions. Its proximity to numerous water sources and a rich agricultural hinterland was yet another factor in making Abel Beth Maacah a large and prominent site in antiquity. Walton Abel Beth Maacah. Typically identified with Tell Abel el-Qamh, three miles northwest of Dan in the northernmost part of Israel, Abel Beth Maacah also appears in the list of Thutmose III’s conquests. Its strategic importance is attested to by the recording of its capture by Tiglath-Pileser III in 1 Kings 15:29 and the Assyrian annals. (See page 350 IVP Bible Background Commentary) 2 Samuel 20:15 They came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah, and they cast up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood by the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall. cast up: 2Ki 19:32 Jer 32:24 33:4 Lu 19:43 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JOAB LAYS SIEGE TO ABEL They came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah, and they cast up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood by the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction (shachath) in order to topple the wall - Siege ramps were mounds or ramps built out of dirt, rubble, and timbers designed in such a way that soldiers could batter down a city’s walls and fortifications. The Assyrians were the first to use wheeled towers with these mounds so that they were protected inside the tower as it was moved up the ramp to the wall. The objective was for the soldiers to exit the tower and invade the city. There is still a siege mound can at Masada - see this picture and imagine you are high up in the citadel of Masada looking down as this mound of dirt the Romans had built up in order to facilitate entry into Masada on the top. Walton on siege ramp. One of the common methods in siege warfare was the construction of a ramp that could be used as an assault platform for siege towers as well as a means of gaining approach for battering rams (2 Kings 19:32; Jer 6:6; Ezek 4:1-8). The ramps were made necessary because of the common construction of a slopping glacis and high walls that made it difficult to attempt a frontal assault. Archaeological investigations have found evidence of the construction of these ramps (such as at Masada), and depictions of the use of the siege ramp are found in Assyrian bas-reliefs and are described in the annals of Sennacherib and other Assyrian kings. The earliest archaeological remains of a siege ramp were found in connection with the Assyrian siege of Lachish in 701. Though evidence of ramps has not been found for this period, the battering ram had already been in use for nearly a thousand years, so ramps must also have been in use. (See page 350 IVP Bible Background Commentary) 2 Samuel 20:16 Then a wise woman called from the city, "Hear, hear! Please tell Joab, 'Come here that I may speak with you.'" 2Sa 14:2 1Sa 25:3,32,33 Ec 9:14-18 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A WISE WOMAN WILL OFFER A CITY SAVING PLAN Then a wise woman called from the city, "Hear, hear! Please tell Joab, 'Come here that I may speak with you.'" - It is notable that this is the fourth time a woman has played a significant role in David's story changing the course of events! First was Abigail (1Sa 25:14-32+), then the wise woman of Tekoa (2Sa 14:2-20+), third the maidservant relaying the message to the couriers who would take the warning message to David (2Sa 17:17+) and here the fourth averting destruction of a major northern city in David's kingdom! Walton wise woman. - The context of the story and of the political situation requires a person skilled in speaking (see also the wise woman 2 Sam 14:2+). However, for a woman to have an authoritative voice, as each of these women do, a special status is also required. Educated women as well as women in positions of authority (priest, scribe and prophet) occasionally occur in the ancient Near Eastern material, but the category of “wise woman” has not yet been isolated. (See page 350 IVP Bible Background Commentary) 2 Samuel 20:17 So he approached her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" And he answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your maidservant." And he answered, "I am listening." Hear the words: 2Sa 14:12 1Sa 25:24 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GENERAL JOAB ACCEPTS WOMAN'S INVITATION TO TALK So he approached her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" And he answered, "I am." - She is indeed wise. She is not seen Joab so does not recognize his face and needs to make sure she is giving her argument to the man in charge. Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your maidservant." And he answered, "I am listening - This is an interesting dialogue and says something about the wisdom of Joab, even though he is often seemingly impetuous and treacherous (having killed Abner, Absalom and Amasa!) He as the general is willing to listen to a woman, keeping in mind women were not highly respected in ancient Israel. This wise woman may have based her appeal on Deuteronomy 20:10-12 which instructed Israel that “When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace." 11 “If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you. 12 “However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it." Josephus Antiquities 7 (chapter 11.8) - Now there was a woman of small account, and yet both wise and intelligent, who seeing her native city lying at the last extremity, ascended upon the wall; and, by means of the armed men, called for Joab: and when he came to her, she began to say, that “God ordained Kings and Generals of armies that they might cut off the enemies of the Hebrews, and introduce an universal peace among them. But thou art endeavouring to overthrow and depopulate a metropolis of the Israelites; which hath been guilty of no offence.” But he replied, “God continue to be merciful unto me: I am disposed to avoid killing any one of the people: much less would I destroy such a city as this: and if they will deliver me up Sheba, the son of Bichri, who hath rebelled against the King, I will leave off the siege, and withdraw the army from the place.” Now as soon as the woman heard what Joab said, she desired him to intermit the siege for a little while: for that he should have the head of his enemy thrown out to him presently. So she went down to the citizens, and said to them, “Will you be so wicked as to perish miserably, with your children and wives, for the sake of a vile fellow; and one whom no body knows who he is? And will you have him for your King instead of David, who hath been so great a benefactor to you; and oppose your city alone to such a mighty and strong army?” So she prevailed with them, and they cut off the head of Sheba, and threw it into Joab’s army. When this was done the King’s General sounded a retreat, and raised the siege. And when he was come to Jerusalem he was again appointed to be General of all the people. The King also constituted Benaiah Captain of the guards,26 and of the six hundred men. He also set Adoram over the tribute, and Sabathes27 and Achilaus over the records. He made Sheva the Scribe: and appointed Zadok and Abiathar to be the High Priests. 2 Samuel 20:18 Then she spoke, saying, "Formerly they used to say, 'They will surely ask advice at Abel,' and thus they ended the dispute. Formerly they used to say, They plainly spake in the beginning, saying, Surely they will ask of Abel, and so make an end. De 20:10,11 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then she spoke, saying, "Formerly they used to say, 'They will surely ask advice at Abel,' and thus they ended the dispute - GWT paraphrases it ""There's an old saying: 'Be sure to ask at Abel <before doing anything>. That's the way they settle matters.' Her opening salvo to Joab was that the inhabitants of Abel were known for their wisdom. The NLT paraphrases it this way "saying, 'If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the city of Abel.'" Abel is short for Abel Beth-maacah, her hometown. 2 Samuel 20:19 "I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?" peaceable: Ge 18:23 Ro 13:3,4 1Ti 2:2 a mother: Jdg 5:7 Eze 16:45-49 swallow: 2Sa 17:16 Nu 16:32 26:10 Ps 124:3 Jer 51:34,44 La 2:2,5,16 1Co 15:54 2Co 5:4 the inheritance: 2Sa 21:3 Ex 19:5,6 De 32:9 1Sa 26:19 2 Samuel 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel - She proceeds in essence to declare her loyalty to the king with no desire was war with him. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel - Abel was a mother in Israel, a "mother city" or capital and had strategic prominence as one of the northern fortresses of Israel (See Wiki note above). Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? - Swallow up is an idiom for destruction. She is saying in essence why would Joab be willing to destroy a royal city, one that ultimately belongs to Yahweh? That might give Joab something to cause him to pause destroying the city. The inheritance of the LORD refers to the land of Israel (see 1Sa 10:1b+).