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Saturday 20 July 2013

2 Samuel 20 - More bloodshed

While most were rallying around David there was one troublemaker, Sheba, a Benjamite. All the men of Israel followed Sheba, but the men of Judah stuck with David. This is the precursor to the split of Israel into two kingdoms that would happen a couple of generations later.
David took his ten remaining concubines to look after the palace, but had no sexual relations with them. It is not clear why this little detail is mentioned here. 
David's reign seems to be in decline an he is now having to act defensively. He sends men to chase after Sheba before he does more damage.On the way to do this Joab murders Amasa. Joab did this to ensure that he had command of the army. Joab was a man who proclaimed loyalty, did some good, but at heart was only after his own ends. Sadly there are often people like this in the church.
Joab continues the chase and ends up besieging Sheba. Rather than seeing the city destroyed, a woman of the city spoke to Joab offering to have Sheba killed for him. This is what happened, and in a somewhat bloodthirsty manner.
So Joab was the undisputed commander of the army, and the kingdom was secure.

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