July 29, 2002

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for August 11

David prudently diffuses hostility, just in time
___ 2 Samuel 20:1-2,6,15-16,19-22
___By Roy Cotton
___BGCT DFW/Metroplex Church Starting Center Consultant
___Today's lesson is an example of how David, following Absalom's uprising and downfall, wised up and acted prudently in squelching a new rebellion by Sheba, son of Bicri, before it spread.
___David was helpless to stop the power-hungry, reckless behavior of Absalom. Absalom's hostile plans were implemented undercover without the king's knowledge of the rebellion. When David found out the jeopardy he was in, it was too late to do anything constructive. A mission of survival was the best possible reaction. ??The present circumstances presented more grim possibilities. Sheba was called a "troublemaker" (v. 1). This Benjamite had the potential of creating dire consequences on David's life. Therefore, David took steps to respond to this hostility with all brevity and wisdom before it got out of hand.
___Chapters 19 and 20 present the journey of David's return to Jerusalem. The people of Israel realized they had made the mistake of backing Absalom(19:9). They were the first to speak of bringing the king back to the palace (v. 10b).
___David heard about their deliberations concerning his return and made two strategic decisions: first, he sent a query to his people, the Judahites, asking why they were not taking the initiative to be the first to bring him back to his home (vv. 11-12)? Secondly, he sent an offer to his nephew Amasa to make him the new commander of his forces in the place of Joab (vv. 13-14).

___Inflaming hostility
___As the people of Judah went to the ford of the Jordan to meet the king and escort his entourage back to Jerusalem, some key Israelites made their way to the point of entry. The first was Shimei, son of Gera, who had cursed the king and threw dirt and rocks at him as he fled the country from Absalom's insurrection (vv. 16, 18-23). ?He came with all sincerity and humility because he knew what he had done justified his execution once the king returned (v. 17).
___Ziba, a steward of Saul's household, was another who came to greet the king (v. 17). Later, when Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, came to meet David, he found that Ziba had "slandered" Mephibosheth when David fled the country. ??The king found out that Mephibosheth, who was lame in both feet (vv. 24-26), had not taken care of his personal health concerns and hygiene since the day the king left. He refused to accept anything from the king, as a sign of his gratefulness for the king's safe return (v. 30).
___During the welcome reception, an old debate resurfaced, which had earlier roots of hostility between the northern Israelites and the southern Judahites (vv. 41-43). There was a sharp exchange of charges and counter-charges (v. 43).
___Sheba may have been an Israelite military leader, but he was a troublemaker (20:1). ??"He sounded the trumpet," which meant the Israelites would rebel against the king. David had learned that it is better to extinguish the fires of hostility before they gain momentum.

___Facing hostility
___David wasted no time debating the seriousness of the issue. The king gave Amasa an assignment to gather men of Judah in "three days" (v. 4).
___But when David noticed that Amasa could not get the job done within the time that he had directed, he said to Abishai, "Now Sheba, son of Bicri, will do us more harm than Absalom did" (v. 6). He sent Abishai on a search mission for Sheba: "wanted dead or alive."
___While en route to get Sheba, Joab killed his cousin, Amasa. This may have been revenge. He did not feel that it was right to let Amasa off the hook when he led the forces for Absalom's attempted coup. Then the king had fired Joab and given Amasa his position.
___Notice that Joab utilized a similar method of murder in the slaying of Abner (3:27). Joab took over his former job assignment and went after Sheba. Joab did not get away with this, in the end; he paid for this crime with his life.

___Defusing hostility
___Joab was preparing to build a "siege ramp up to the city" of Abel Beth Maacah (v. 14). But a wise woman intervened (v. 16). She saved the city by her wisdom and kept Joab from destroying a cultural and historical city where people came to inquire of the Lord (vv. 18-19).
___She implored Joab not to "swallow up the Lord's inheritance" (v. 19b). He told her that he was not out to destroy the city; he only wanted one man, Sheba (vv. 20-21).
___ The woman convinced the people of the town that they had to deliver the troublemaker's head (v. 22).
___Thankfully, we do not handle things this way today, but we must apply the prompt response and use of early intervention in keeping hostility from getting an upper hand. The logic of "a stitch in time saves nine" works in this case.

___Questions for discussion
___ Discuss a time when you let a situation get out of hand.
___ What are some lessons you learned about acting promptly and wisely?
___ How can you apply those lessons to defusing church conflict before it has a chance to grow?

The Baptist Standard



News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.

---

Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook