Pastor and 1st Lady Mims

Week 11, February 8

LESSON 11

Removing a Rival

Lesson Text:

2 Samuel 19:11-15; 41-43; 20:1-13; Psalm 37:7-11

Memory Verse
"Cease from anger; and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do eta."
Psalm 37:8

Key Terms
Contagion • The ready transmission or spread as of an idea or emotion from person to person.
Opportunism • The policy or practice of adopting actions, decisions, etc., for expediency regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles.
Overture • An opening or initiating move toward negotiations, a new relationship, or an agreement.

Suggested Emphasis

When Absalom usurped the throne, he had to replace Joab as captain of the hosts of Israel: he chose a cousin named Ama-sa (2 Samuel 17:25). Presumably, Amasa was more loyal to the nation than to Absalom personally. Nonetheless, it had to be surprising that, when David returned to Jerusalem, he chose to retain Amasa in that post. It was as if the king took this as an opportunity for a cabinet shake-up; clearly he was endeavoring to heal the rebel/loyalist divide in the army of Israel.

An unavoidable question is how much this change also signaled David's loss of confidence in Joab. Certainly the insubordination that was shown by slaying Absalom was still fresh in the mind. Yet, whatever was the king's motivation, Joab must have resented his demotion. His grudge was unveiled through the events surrounding another threat to the kingdom.

Emphasis 1:

A New Rebellion Breaks Out

Like Amasa himself, many Judeans had a complex relationship with the king, having accepted, if not originally supported, Absalom as monarch. Judah as a tribe felt most uneasy at the prospect of David returning to Jerusalem; they must have feared isolation or even retribution for their faithlessness. David, ever the politician, understood their trepidation: before he crossed the Jordan River, he sent word that the Judean elders should meet him at the banks and escort him inside the city (2 Samuel 19:11-15). He was making the overture to reconcile with the tribal leaders, and unite the country once again. Unfortunately, his proposition fostered some jealousy on the part of other tribesmen, who felt slighted that only Judeans were given the honor to escort the royal retinue (2 Samuel 19:41). An acrimonious dispute began between the elders of Judah and those of the ten northern tribes.

It seems almost inconceivable, given what the nation had already endured, but in this cauldron of emotions a new rebellion broke forth. At one passionate meeting of the Judean side, a Benjamite named Sheba blew a shofar (to call the assembly to attention) and proposed Judah break from David's leadership (2 Samuel 20:1). Realizing the contagion of rebellion was again spreading, the king dispatched Amasa to the Judean territories to gather together loyalist forces that could eliminate Sheba. David wanted a quick resolution, so he gave Amasa a three-day time limit to complete this task (2 Samuel 20:4). But the general missed his deadline, and the king became agitated. "Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom," he told his lieutenant Abishai (2 Samuel 20:6). David then instructed Abishai, the brother of Joab, to immediately lead the mighty men in pursuit of Sheba.

Emphasis 2:

Exploiting an Opportunity

Turning our attention back to Joab, he must have perceived this development as a diminishment of Amasa's authority, perhaps even the waning of his favor with the king. Amasa, finally having completed his mission and leading a posse of faithful Ju-deans, caught up with Abishai and Joab in Gibeon. There his predecessor took the opportunity to murder him: Joab used the pretense of a greeting to stab his rival to death. The soldiers that came with Amasa were stunned by this treachery, but ultimately they did consent to follow Joab and Abishai to complete the primary task of tracking down the Sheba. Stranger still, when they brought back Sheba's head in victory, Joab was permitted to resume his post as captain of the host (2 Samuel 20:23).

Joab was leaving a legacy of opportunism and dirty dealing. Next week's lesson will address the matter in depth, but by the end of the Sheba incident, it appeared Joab was prospering through his villainy. However, even as we read this account, we should remember David's own counsel: "Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes" (Psalm 37:7b). We shouldn't lose our temper or get frustrated; God sees it all, and he will ultimately punish the wicked for their wickedness. The psalmist uses picturesque language to illustrate this point in Psalm 37:35-36: "I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." Joab's corrupt behavior was laying up wrath that would eventually remove him from the scene.

Emphasis 3:

Don't Fret the Secret Rivals

We would be wise to stay watchful for, yet remain untroubled by, the Joabs in our lives. False-dealing folks may make our acquaintance; we may have secret rivals who plot to assassinate our reputations or steal our influence. We should seek discernment in these cases, but we shouldn't ever worry. God can show us if someone wants to harm us. God can also protect us. Believers don't fret evil doers; they trust in the Lord, and because they trust, they only respond by only doing good. Never return evil for evil. If you hold your peace, the Lord will fight your battles.

Missions Application Questions

Why did David make Amasa his new captain of the hosts?

How did Joab react to this change?
How was Sheba's rebellion an opportunity for Joab do wickedly?
Does King David bear any responsibility for what befell Amasa?

World Missions Prayer Points

Let us pray for the Lord's protection against secret rivals and false friends.
Let us pray that the Holy Ghost strips all competitiveness and envy from our hearts.
Let us pray never to return evil for evil, but to do what everyone would recognize as good.

Mims Chapel Church