15. Abel of Beth-maachah—a verdant place—the addition of "Maachah" betokening that it belonged to the district Maachah, which lay far up the Jordan at the foot of Lebanon. :-. A WISE WOMAN SAVES THE CITY BY SHEBA'S HEAD. read more
The rebellion of Sheba 20:1-22"The account of Sheba’s rebellion against David serves as a counterpoise to the story of Absalom’s conspiracy (2 Samuel 15:1-12) in chapters 15-20, which constitute the major part of the narrative that comprises chapters 13-20 (more precisely, 2 Samuel 13:1 to 2 Samuel 20:22), the longest definable literary section of the Court History of David (chs. 9-20 . . .)." [Note: Youngblood, p. 1042.] Not all the people of Israel followed David. Some lined up behind Sheba,... read more
The Rebellion of ShebaSheba takes advantage of the jealousy of the men of Israel to begin a rebellion, which, but for the prompt action of Joab, might have resulted in a disruption between Israel and Judah. During this expedition Amasa is murdered by Joab. The chapter concludes with a list of David’s officers.This chapter evidently continues the narrative of the concluding vv. of the preceding. During the period of the Judges, Ephraim had been the leading tribe and they could not brook to see... read more
(15)Abel of Beth-maachah.—Omit the preposition “of.” (See 2 Samuel 20:14.)Stood in the trench.—The “trench” is the space between the wall of the city and the lower outer wall. When the besiegers had succeeded in planting the mounds for their battering engines in this space they had already gained an important advantage. read more
Spiritual Health 2 Samuel 20:9 There may be a healthy soul in a sickly body. But often within a sound body there is an unsound heart. I. The Characteristics of a Healthy Disciple. (1) A cheerful countenance. (2) A good appetite. 'Hunger and thirst after righteousness.' (3) Moral strength. (4) Great powers of endurance. (5) Buoyant spirits. II. The Causes of Soul-sickness. (1) Contagion. Evil company. But much depends on our previous state of health. We may be predisposed to certain... read more
3CHAPTER XXVII.THE INSURRECTION OF SHEBA.2 Samuel 19:41-43; 2 Samuel 20:1-26.DAVID was now virtually restored to his kingdom; but he had not even left Gilgal when fresh troubles began. The jealousy between Judah and Israel broke out in spite of him. The cause of complaint was on the part of the ten tribes; they were offended at not having been waited for to take part in escorting the king to Jerusalem. First, the men of Israel, in harsh language, accused the men of Judah of having stolen the... read more
10. The Revolt of Sheba CHAPTER 20 1. Sheba’s revolt (2 Samuel 20:1-2 ) 2. The ten concubines shut up (2 Samuel 20:3 ) 3. Amasa’s failure (2 Samuel 20:4-6 ) 4. Joab and the death of Amasa (2 Samuel 20:7-13 ) 5. Joab, the wise woman and the death of Sheba (2 Samuel 20:14-22 ) 6. David’s officials (2 Samuel 20:23-26 ) The final revolt in David’s reign was headed by a wicked man, whose name was Sheba. Israel sided with him, probably as the result of the dissension recorded at the... read more
20:15 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that [were] with Joab {k} battered the wall, to throw it down.(k) That is, he went about to overthrow it. read more
Satan is always ready to take advantage of such occasions among God's people, and he had a man there of worthless, ambitious character, Sheba, the son of Bichri was actually a Benjamite, not from any of the other ten tribes, but he saw an opportunity to exalt himself. Blowing a trumpet, he made the bold declaration, "We have no part in David, nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, 0 Israel!" Since the Israelites were already incensed against Judah, Sheba's... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 20:15
2 Samuel 20:15. They cast up a bank against the city— The LXX render it, they levelled the bank, or glacis, of the city; which receives some countenance from the words immediately following, and it stood in the trench. The Vulgate reads, and they surrounded the city with fortifications. But some learned persons have imagined, that the word סללה solelah, rendered a bank, signifies an engine of war, used in casting stones, or other heavy bodies, against the walls of a city. Parkhurst is of this... read more