David- Sheba Rebels Against David

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 20

From Joab's Journal

photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com
Abel of Beth Maachah

David led us, all the soldiers and families who went with him to escape Abaslom, back to Jerusalem.

In the meantime, Sheba, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, the same tribe Saul, Jonathan, and Mephibosheth came from, led a rebellion. He wanted the ten tribes of Israel to join him in a fight against David.

David didn't wait to act for even one minute. He sent his army to capture Sheba before he hid inside a city. 

We chased after him, but unfortunately he hid in Abel of Beth Maachah. The city had fortified walls surround it. 

I ordered the men to set up a siege mound against the city. They battered against the wall, pounding to knock it down. 

Surprisingly, a woman stuck her head out a window and called out to us, "Wait, wait. Please call Joab to me that I may speak to him."

I went closer to the wall and listened. 

She called out, "Are you Joab?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Good. Will you listen to me?"

"Yes. I'm listening."

"It has been said about our city men will seek guidance at Abel. So men would come to end disputes here. I am one of the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you try to harm something that belongs to the Lord?"

I answered, "I would never want to harm or destroy. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, his name is Sheba, has rebelled against king David. If you give him to me I will leave the city."

The woman said, "Stand watch. HIs head will be thrown to you over the wall."

Apparently she went to the city people, told them the problem They found Sheba, chopped off his head and flung it over the wall toward us. Since she kept her word, I blew my trumpet, ordering the battle to end and for all soldiers to return to Jerusalem.

This ended the rebellion and brought the kingdom back together. 

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 17

Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.

 You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
 Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.

 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.

 They have closed up their fat hearts;
With their mouths they speak proudly.
 They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
 As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

 Arise, O Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
 With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.

 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

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1.  Who rebelled against David?

2.  Who did David say was worse than Absalom?

3.  David told his men to hurry and find _______ before he _____

4.  Why did the woman call out to David's army?

5.  What did she give to Joab?

6.  Why did she help Joab?