Introduction

Sheba's rebellion is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of 2 Samuel. This rebellion occurred during the reign of King David and highlights the political instability and challenges to David's authority following the revolt of Absalom. Sheba, a Benjamite, capitalized on the discontent among the tribes of Israel, leading a revolt that threatened the unity of the nation.

Biblical Account

The account of Sheba's rebellion is found in 2 Samuel 20. After the death of Absalom and the quelling of his rebellion, King David returned to Jerusalem to reestablish his rule. However, tensions remained high among the tribes of Israel, particularly between Judah and the other tribes. In this context, Sheba, the son of Bichri, seized the opportunity to incite further division.

2 Samuel 20:1 introduces Sheba: "Now a wicked man named Sheba, son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and said, 'We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!'"

Sheba's declaration was a call to arms, urging the Israelites to abandon David and return to their homes, effectively rejecting David's kingship. This act of rebellion was a direct challenge to the unity and authority of the Davidic monarchy.

The Pursuit of Sheba

In response to Sheba's insurrection, David acted swiftly to suppress the rebellion. He appointed Amasa, his new commander, to gather the men of Judah and pursue Sheba. However, Amasa delayed, prompting David to send Abishai, Joab's brother, to lead the pursuit instead.

Joab, a seasoned military leader and David's former commander, took charge of the forces. During the pursuit, Joab encountered Amasa and, in a brutal act of treachery, killed him. Joab then continued the pursuit of Sheba, demonstrating his loyalty to David despite his violent methods.

The Siege of Abel Beth Maacah

Sheba sought refuge in the city of Abel Beth Maacah. Joab and his forces laid siege to the city, threatening to destroy it to capture Sheba. The inhabitants of Abel Beth Maacah, fearing for their lives, negotiated with Joab. A wise woman from the city intervened, seeking to prevent the destruction of the city by offering to deliver Sheba's head to Joab.

2 Samuel 20:22 recounts the resolution: "Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem."

Theological and Historical Significance

Sheba's rebellion underscores the fragility of the united monarchy under David, highlighting the persistent tribal tensions and the challenges of maintaining national unity. The rebellion also illustrates the consequences of discontent and the ease with which a single individual can incite division.

From a theological perspective, the rebellion serves as a reminder of the importance of loyalty to God's anointed king. David, despite his flaws, was chosen by God to lead Israel. The rebellion against David can be seen as a rebellion against God's divine order.

Furthermore, the account of Sheba's rebellion demonstrates God's providence in preserving the Davidic line, which ultimately leads to the fulfillment of the Messianic promise through Jesus Christ, a descendant of David.2 Samuel 20:1
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

The Reign of David.
... (6) The organization of his kingdom, II:Sam.8:l6-18, 15:37, 16:16, 20:23-26;
I:Chron.27:33. (7) Tie rebellion of Sheba, II:Sam.20:1-22. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... woman of Tekoah is sent for to induce the king to fetch his banished home; and the
conduct of a woman "in her wisdom" puts an end to the rebellion of Sheba. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

David Appointing Solomon
... Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to ... had his wishes
checked, was now letting his unbridled wishes hurry him into rebellion. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david appointing solomon.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... In the after days of Absalom's rebellion we find David entertained in Gilead by
Shobi ... inscriptions show that in southern Arabia, in the land of Sheba, the high ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

How to Split a Kingdom
... beam of light, cast on that scene of insolence and rebellion, lights up all ... The ominous
cry, which had been heard before, in Sheba's abortive revolt, answers ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... Egypt, or Ethiopia, into Judea, by this queen of Sheba, since several ... God's high
displeasure and indignation against that idolatry and rebellion fully appeared ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

Chapter x
... from Ham, is also mentioned because the kingdom of Sheba was particularly ... have used
this motto so frequently in exhorting others to rebellion, that finally it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

A Discourse
... chapter 6, section 5, states that when the Queen of Sheba came to ... a grievous mistake
to suppose that vital godliness caused the great rebellion, and consequent ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

The Exaltation of Christ
... shall be the nursing mothers of the church, when the gold of Sheba and the ... God hath
eternally ordained, and in the midst of his wild rebellion still running in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exaltation of christ.htm

The God of Peace
... Satan of himself conceived the rebellion, but God was not the author of it ... found
that it was all correct that I had heard, I was like the queen of Sheba, and I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the god of peace.htm

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