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2 Samuel 20:8-22 – Right Side, Wrong Motives

It’s possible to be on the right side – but not to be peaceable and faithful. Don’t we see that with Joab? Joab exclaims in verse 20: ‘Far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! That is not true.’ Yet what has Joab just done? He’s just fresh from murdering Amasa. Reaching out and holding his beard with his right hand to kiss him – but having a sword in his left hand. Amasa is someone who had previously sided with Absalom – as well as being a personal rival to Joab. David had given him Joab’s job after all. And so without hesitation, without breaking stride almost, Joab strikes him down. Just as, back in chapter 3, Joab had murdered Abner in revenge for Abner killing his other brother, Ashael. Don’t be in any doubt as to how serious Joab’s actions are. Yes, nothing is said to him about what he’s done. Yes, he ends the chapter, in verse 23, as army commander. He gets his old job back. Joab is a man who gets things done. But he’s not a saved man. So why does David keep him around? David is in a position of weakness. He’s tried to get rid of Joab once, and it hasn’t worked. But later on David will charge Solomon, in 1st Kings chapter 2 that Solomon is not to let Joab die peacefully because of what he’s done. Joab is on the right side. He’s fiercely loyal to God’s anointed king. But he lives a life of total rebellion to God himself. It’s possible to be on the right side. It’s possible to fight for the right causes, but to do so from the completely wrong motivation.

Look at what the wise woman’s motivation is. She says in verse 19: ‘Why will you swallow up the heritage of the LORD?’ For her, it’s about God’s glory. It’s not: ‘What are you doing to my city!’ But: ‘Why will you swallow up the heritage of the LORD?’ For Joab, it’s about personal revenge. It’s about settling scores. It’s about making sure he gets his job back. Yes, at the same time he’s advancing the LORD’s cause, but that’s not actually what he cares about. You can be on the right side, but not be among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. But the wise woman is. She reassures Joab that Sheba will be dealt with. And soon his head and his body are separated, and many lives are saved.

Question

  1. What are Joab’s motives?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that our goal in all things will be the glory of God.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.