2 Samuel 20 Commentary
Trouble wasn’t far from Israel. We are coming from a civil war only to run straight into another one. This time, it’s the troublemaker Sheba who initiates the insurrection.
Israel was either fighting the Philistines or fighting amongst themselves. Today, Joab assassinates the newly appointed army commander, Amasa. Later, Sheba would be killed by the residents of Beth Maakah. These deaths are sickening!
What we have seen after Chapter 11, the Bathsheba incident, is nothing close to our expectations. We had hoped for a peaceful and godly ride, but it hasn’t happened. Instead, we have seen internal conflicts take center stage. At the center of these conflicts is sin – the sin of Chapter 11. We shouldn’t forget.
The ten women are forced into confinement and widowhood. The devil smiles! But that’s what you get when wickedness has space to operate! Injustice and more injustice. Humanity suffers.
The 10 for David would become 300 for Solomon. Wickedness multiplies very quickly!
The story of Mephibosheth, which repeatedly appears in these chapters, can give us a clear picture of what we are looking at. From nothing to everything, and from everything to half everything. David is coming from nothing to everything. Chapter 7 is a high point as the LORD appears and promises to establish his dynasty. But then Chapter 11 happens. From that point, we have seen only a resemblance to the David we knew.
The chapter closes by looking at David’s officials. The cast is very interesting. You cannot talk about ‘excessive bloodshed’ during David’s reign without talking about Joab. Abner, Uriah, Absalom, and lately Amasa. Look closely and you will see David in close proximity to these killings. Joab was over the entire army.
Adoniram was in charge of forced labor. How different is David from the Pharaoh who subjected Israel to forced labor? Is forced labor only bad when Israel is the victim? The Old Testament can be a difficult read!
Zadok and Abiathar were priests; Ira the Jairite was David’s priest. There is nothing wrong with Abiathar and Zadok. But Ira is a big question. In the Law of Moses, there is no mention of private priests. It is this mixing that leaves David with only half of everything. You generally feel like we are descending, but not for a safe landing!
David treats the woman (his 10 concubines) with disdain after Absalom’s defilement. Of course, forgetting that the defilement started with him! In his mind, she is a mindless, zero-emotion being, only good as a sex tool. The sad story of ungodliness! But in a free and more sane and godly setup, the woman is a wise savior of her entire city! The untapped beauty of godliness!
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