2 Samuel 20:4-19 – Peacable and Faithful
Amidst all the chaos and strife, there is one person who stands out in this chapter. Someone who, when those around her are losing their heads, is in her own words ‘peaceable and faithful in Israel’. We’re not told her name. Simply in verse 16 that she is a wise woman from the city of Abel. This city is under siege, and if you’re in a city under siege, things start to get desperate, and they start to get desperate in the city of Abel.
Why has the city of Abel ended up under siege? Because that’s where this rebel king Sheba has ended up. David, you might remember from last week, had appointed Amasa as his army commander – Amasa who had previously been Absalom’s army commander. But now that he’s on David’s side, Amasa fails his first big test. He hesitates. Whatever the reason, Amasa doesn’t do what he’s meant to fast enough, and David gives control of the army over to Abishai. Both Amasa and Abishai are related to Joab, David’s old army commander whom David had stripped of the role after he killed Absalom. Amasa is a distant relative of Joab. But Abishai is his brother. And when Amasa doesn’t turn up, David gives control of the army to Abishai, Joab’s brother. But it soon becomes clear that Joab is the one calling the shots once again. At the end of verse 10, Joab and Abishai pursue Sheba, until, verse 14, Sheba and those who are with him reach this city of Abel.
In verse 15, Joab and the men who are with him – Abishai isn’t even mentioned now! – besiege Sheba. They’re in the process of battering the wall to try and knock it down, when a female voice pierces the air. She asks for Joab, and she introduces herself as one of those who is peaceable and faithful in Israel. What a great thing to know that in the midst of all the tumult and rebellion, that there were those who were peaceable and faithful in Israel. Wouldn’t it be a great thing if that could be said about any of us – that we were among those who are peaceable and faithful?
Question
- How does Joab end up back in charge?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would be peacable and faithful.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.