Heads Up! (2 Samuel 20)
Title: Heads Up!
Date: 7.24.20
Text: 2 Samuel 20
After David has effectively put down the insurrection of his son, Absalom, he reestablishes himself in Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel. But it hasn’t been without its challenges because his nation is deeply divided. The northern tribes feel that the southern tribes, particularly Judah, have more influence and power with David. So a man named Sheba, who the bible describes as a trouble maker, rallies the northern tribes, telling them to abandon David and to follow him as he travels north, throughout Israel, recruiting men and fomenting a new revolution.
David feels a tremendous sense of urgency to put this burgeoning insurrection down, having just come out of the violent revolution of Absalom wherein 20,000 men died. He commissions his newly appointed general, Amasa, to gather the troops throughout Judah and meet him in Jerusalem in three days so they can pursue Sheba before he can dig in and fortify cities against David. Amasa was the general of Absalom’s army and his appointment to be David’s general was likely motivated by David’s desire to unify the nation, but it turns out to be a poor decision because Amasa proves himself to be an incompetent leader. After three days, Amasa still has not arrived. David is very frustrated and says, “This is disastrous! Sheba will cause more damage than Absalom.” David turns to Abishai and instructs him to take Joab’s men (Joab having been demoted) as well as David’s elite fighting force and pursue Sheba. They get about halfway, to the regions of Gibeon, when Amasa finally arrives with the rest of the troops. Joab greets Amasa in friendship, but then stabs him in the guts and leaves him in the middle of the road so everyone would know who the true general of Israel’s army is.
Having reestablished himself as the military commander, Joab pursues Sheba to the very north of Israel to the region of Dan, where Sheba is holed up in city of Abel Beth Maakah. Joab lays siege to the city, until a brave, wise woman sticks her head above the wall and asks to speak with Joab. Joab says, “I am Joab.” She asks him why he is destroying her city which is a “mother in Israel.” Joab says, “I don’t want to destroy anything. I’m just looking for one man named Sheba.” The woman replies, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.” She orders Sheba’s execution and throws his head to Joab. Joab is satisfied and returns to Jerusalem.
The story is one of many interesting stories in the bible and serves as a sort of bookend to the narrative of Absalom’s rebellion. Its narrative weaves around interesting people. There’s Sheba, the rabble rouser; Amasa, the incompetent military leader; Abishai, the obstinate but loyal warrior; and, of course, Joab, the capable but murderous general. But the solution to the complex problem presented is found in an unlikely place. It’s found in a brave, wise woman who stuck her head over the wall to speak to the enemy leader and then cut the head of the man causing all of the problems to her people and throws it over the wall.
We all have those seasons where we don’t seem to know the solution to complicated situations, and certainly, 2020 feels like that to a lot of us. You can certainly sense David’s frustration as he is hit with one problem after another. And yet, in the midst of everything, God has a solution. And often, it’s found in brave people, sticking their heads up, knowing they are going to get shot at. It’s found when brave people say and do difficult things and in doing so, make the world becomes and better place. Let’s take our cue from this wise woman and not be afraid to stick our heads up.