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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 20:2 So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/10_2Sa_20_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 20:2 - Sheba's Rebellion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. 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But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed with their king and escorted him from the Jordan River to Jerusalem. <a href="/esv/2_samuel/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/bsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/20.htm">King James Bible</a> So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/20.htm">New King James Version</a> So every man of Israel deserted David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah, from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem, remained loyal to their king. <a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So all the men of Israel withdrew from following David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah remained loyal to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> So all the men of Israel withdrew from following David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah remained steadfast to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So all the men of Israel withdrew from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah remained steadfast to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/lsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So all the men of Israel went up from following David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah clung to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/amp/2_samuel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah stayed faithfully with their king, from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/csb/2_samuel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri, but the men of Judah from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem remained loyal to their king. <a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri, but the men of Judah from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem remained loyal to their king. <a href="/asv/2_samuel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/cev/2_samuel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So they stopped following David and went off with Sheba. But the people of Judah stayed close to David all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/erv/2_samuel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/gwt/2_samuel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So all the people of Israel left David to follow Sheba, Bichri's son. But the people of Judah remained loyal to their king [on his way] from the Jordan River to Jerusalem. <a href="/gnt/2_samuel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> So the Israelites deserted David and went with Sheba, but the men of Judah remained loyal and followed David from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/isv/2_samuel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> So all of the other Israeli soldiers abandoned David to follow Bichri's son Sheba, while the army of Judah remained with the king all the way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem. <a href="/msb/2_samuel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/net/2_samuel/20.htm">NET Bible</a> So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stuck by their king all the way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem. <a href="/nheb/2_samuel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So all Israel deserted David and followed Sheba the son of Bikri, but the men of Judah stayed by their king, from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/wbt/2_samuel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> So every man of Israel, withdrawing from David, followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah adhered to their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/web/2_samuel/20.htm">World English Bible</a> So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And every man of Israel goes up from after David, after Sheba son of Bichri, and the men of Judah have cleaved to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/ylt/2_samuel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And every man of Israel goeth up from after David, after Sheba son of Bichri, and the men of Judah have cleaved to their king, from the Jordan even unto Jerusalem. <a href="/slt/2_samuel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And every man of Israel will go up from after David, after Sheba, son of Bichri: and the men of Judah were joined to the king, from Jordan and even to Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_samuel/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And all Israel departed from David, and followed Seba the son of Bochri: but the men of Juda stuck to their king from the Jordan unto Jerusalem. <a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And all of Israel separated from David, and they were following Sheba, the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah clung to their king, from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem. <a href="/nabre/2_samuel/20.htm">New American Bible</a> So all the Israelites left David to follow Sheba, son of Bichri. But the Judahites, from the Jordan to Jerusalem, remained loyal to their king. <a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So all the people of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba son of Bichri; but the people of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So all the men of Israel ceased from following David, and followed Shamoa, the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah remained loyal to the king from the Jordan to Jerusalem. <a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And all of the children of Israel turned from following after David, and they went after Shamu, son of Bakri, and the sons of Yehuda cleaved to their King from the Jordan and unto Jerusalem<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_samuel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah did cleave unto their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/sep/2_samuel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And all the men of Israel went up from following David after Sabee the son of Bochori: but the men of Juda adhered to their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. <a href="/parallel/2_samuel/20-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=6071" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Sheba's Rebellion</a> 1Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” 2<a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">So all</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: way·ya·‘al (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">deserted</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: mê·’a·ḥă·rê (Prep-m) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">to follow</a> <a href="/hebrew/7652.htm" title="7652: še·ḇa‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Sheba -- two Israelites. The same as sheba'; seven; Sheba, the name of a place in Palestine, and of two Israelites.">Sheba</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/1075.htm" title="1075: biḵ·rî (N-proper-ms) -- Youthful, a Benjamite, perhaps also his desc. From bakar; youthful; Bikri, an Israelite.">of Bichri.</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·’îš (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">But the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">of Judah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1692.htm" title="1692: dā·ḇə·qū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To cling, cleave, keep close. A primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. Cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit.">stayed by</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ḇə·mal·kām (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- King. From malak; a king.">their king</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: wə·‘aḏ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">all the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3383.htm" title="3383: hay·yar·dên (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- The principal river of Pal. From yarad; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine.">the Jordan</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">to Jerusalem.</a> 3When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">1 Kings 12:16</a> When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, <a href="/2_samuel/19-43.htm">2 Samuel 19:43</a> “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel. <a href="/1_kings/12-19.htm">1 Kings 12:19</a> So to this day Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David. <a href="/2_samuel/15-13.htm">2 Samuel 15:13</a> Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” <a href="/1_kings/11-31.htm">1 Kings 11:31</a> and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. <a href="/2_samuel/19-9.htm">2 Samuel 19:9-10</a> And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?” <a href="/1_kings/12-20.htm">1 Kings 12:20</a> When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. <a href="/2_samuel/19-41.htm">2 Samuel 19:41-42</a> Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” <a href="/1_kings/11-35.htm">1 Kings 11:35</a> But I will take ten tribes of the kingdom from the hand of his son and give them to you. <a href="/2_samuel/15-10.htm">2 Samuel 15:10</a> Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” <a href="/1_kings/12-21.htm">1 Kings 12:21</a> And when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the whole house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against the house of Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon. <a href="/2_samuel/19-40.htm">2 Samuel 19:40</a> Then the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Chimham crossed over with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king. <a href="/1_kings/12-24.htm">1 Kings 12:24</a> that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the word of the LORD and turned back according to the word of the LORD. <a href="/2_samuel/15-2.htm">2 Samuel 15:2-6</a> He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” / And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.” ... <a href="/1_kings/12-26.htm">1 Kings 12:26-27</a> Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. / If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah joined to their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.every man<a href="/2_samuel/19-41.htm">2 Samuel 19:41</a> And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?<a href="/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9</a> Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.<a href="/psalms/118-8.htm">Psalm 118:8-10</a> It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man… the men<a href="/john/6-66.htm">John 6:66-68</a> From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him… <a href="/acts/11-23.htm">Acts 11:23</a> Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.from Jordan<a href="/2_samuel/19-15.htm">2 Samuel 19:15,40,41</a> So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan… <a href="/2_chronicles/10-17.htm">2 Chronicles 10:17</a> But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/4-4.htm">Adhered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">Bichri</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-13.htm">Bicri</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-14.htm">Clave</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-14.htm">Cleave</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/judges/5-6.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-9.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-17.htm">Following</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-34.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-31.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-41.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-43.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">Sheba</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-20.htm">Steadfast</a> <a href="/ruth/1-18.htm">Steadfastly</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-30.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-40.htm">Way</a> <a href="/galatians/2-12.htm">Withdrawing</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-3.htm">Withdrew</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/23-10.htm">Adhered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-6.htm">Bichri</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-7.htm">Bicri</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-10.htm">Clave</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-2.htm">Cleave</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-11.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-11.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-7.htm">Following</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-10.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-5.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-4.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-6.htm">Sheba</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-51.htm">Steadfast</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-11.htm">Steadfastly</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-22.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-27.htm">Way</a> <a href="/luke/5-16.htm">Withdrawing</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-10.htm">Withdrew</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 20</div>1. <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba rebels in Israel</a> 3. <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">David's ten concubines are put in confinement for life</a> 4. <a href="/2_samuel/20-4.htm">Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab</a> 14. <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Joab pursues Sheba to Abel</a> 16. <a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">A wise woman saves the city by Sheba's head</a> 23. <a href="/2_samuel/20-23.htm">David's officers</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. This phrase highlights a significant moment of division within the kingdom of Israel. The men of Israel, representing the ten northern tribes, chose to follow Sheba, a Benjamite, in rebellion against King David. This reflects ongoing tensions between the northern tribes and the tribe of Judah, which had been evident since the time of Saul. The rebellion led by Sheba can be seen as a continuation of the unrest that followed Absalom's revolt. Sheba's actions are reminiscent of the earlier division between Saul and David, where tribal loyalties were often in conflict. This division foreshadows the eventual split of the kingdom after Solomon's reign, as seen in <a href="/1_kings/12.htm">1 Kings 12</a>. The choice to follow Sheba indicates a lack of unity and a susceptibility to charismatic leaders who oppose the Davidic line, which is a recurring theme in Israel's history.But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. In contrast to the northern tribes, the men of Judah remained loyal to David. This loyalty underscores the strong bond between David and his own tribe, which had first anointed him as king in Hebron (<a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">2 Samuel 2:4</a>). The phrase "all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem" suggests a steadfast commitment, as they accompanied David from the point of crossing the Jordan River back to his capital. This journey symbolizes a return to stability and order after the chaos of Absalom's rebellion. The loyalty of Judah is significant in the biblical narrative, as it emphasizes the importance of the Davidic covenant, which promised that David's line would endure (<a href="/2_samuel/7-16.htm">2 Samuel 7:16</a>). This covenant is central to the messianic hope, as it is through David's lineage that Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant, would come. The faithfulness of Judah to David prefigures the faithfulness of believers to Christ, the true King.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The King of Israel, anointed by God, who is facing rebellion from within his kingdom. 2. <a href="/topical/s/sheba_son_of_bichri.htm">Sheba son of Bichri</a> A Benjamite who instigates a rebellion against King David, leading the men of Israel away. 3. <a href="/topical/m/men_of_israel.htm">Men of Israel</a> The northern tribes of Israel who choose to follow Sheba in rebellion against David. 4. <a href="/topical/m/men_of_judah.htm">Men of Judah</a> The tribe loyal to David, remaining with him from the Jordan to Jerusalem. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jordan_to_jerusalem.htm">Jordan to Jerusalem</a> The geographical journey indicating the loyalty of the men of Judah to David, emphasizing the division within the kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/l/loyalty_and_division.htm">Loyalty and Division</a> The passage highlights the importance of loyalty to God-appointed leadership and the dangers of division within the community of believers. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_rebellion.htm">Consequences of Rebellion</a> Rebellion against God’s anointed leaders can lead to chaos and instability, both in ancient Israel and in the church today. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> Despite differences, unity among believers is crucial for the health and mission of the church. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a> Believers must discern and follow godly leadership, recognizing the potential for false leaders to lead them astray. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_trials.htm">Faithfulness in Trials</a> The men of Judah exemplify faithfulness to their king, a model for believers to remain steadfast in their faith during challenging times.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 20</a> <a href="/q/why_allow_conflict_in_divinely_led_monarchy.htm">Why would God permit ongoing conflict and bloodshed among His chosen people throughout 2 Samuel 20 if the monarchy was divinely sanctioned?</a> <a href="/q/is_judah-israel_conflict_in_2_sam_19_consistent.htm">Does the tribal conflict between Judah and Israel in 2 Samuel 19:40-43 align with other historical sources, or is there a possible inconsistency in how the tribes' loyalties shift?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_the_wise_woman_show_justice.htm">In 2 Samuel 20:16-22, how does the 'wise woman's' negotiation for Sheba's head align with the Bible's broader emphasis on justice and mercy?</a> <a href="/q/what_was_paul's_age_at_death.htm">Who was Benaiah in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) Men of Judah clave.--David's negotiations with Judah had now resulted in an entire reversal of the position of the tribes towards him; Judah, among whom the rebellion originated, and who had been tardy in returning to their allegiance, were now fierce in their loyalty, while Israel, who had only joined the already organised rebellion, and afterwards had first proposed the return of David, had become alienated and rebellious.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - So every man of Israel, etc.; literally, so all the men of Israel went up from after David after Sheba. They had come down to Jordan to bring the king back in triumph, but, on finding that the men of Judah had forestalled them, they had a quarrel, and as no one endeavoured to allay it and mediate between them, it ended in open revolt, and they transferred their allegiance to the worthless Sheba. Nothing could more clearly prove the want of cohesion among the tribes, and how little Saul and David had done to knit them together. We need not, therefore, seek for any deep reasons of state, or for proofs of failure in David's government, to account for the rapid success of Absalom's rebellion. Israel was a confused mass of discordant elements, kept in a state of repulsion by the sturdy independence of the tribes and their jealousy one of another. Even David's victories had failed to infuse into them any feeling of national unity, nor did the long glory of Solomon's reign and the magnificence of the temple succeed better. The kings were not as yet much more than the judges had been - leaders in war, but with little authority in times of peace. What is so extraordinary is that David had lost the allegiance of his own tribe; and it now, on returning to its duty, spoiled by its violence the whole matter. The day must have been a great disappointment to David. He was to have gone back conducted gloriously by all the tribes of Israel; but he had fancied that Judah was holding back, and grieving over Absalom. He had secret dealing therefore with it, in order that the day might not be marred by its absence. It came, but only to do mischief; and David went home with only its escort, and with all the rest in open rebellion. <a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/20-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the men אִ֤ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc deserted וַיַּ֜עַל (way·ya·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively David דָוִ֔ד (ḏā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse to follow אַחֲרֵ֖י (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part Sheba שֶׁ֣בַע (še·ḇa‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7652.htm">Strong's 7652: </a> Sheba -- two Israelites son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Bichri. בִּכְרִ֑י (biḵ·rî) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1075.htm">Strong's 1075: </a> Bichri -- 'youthful', a Benjamite, perhaps also his desc But the men וְאִ֤ישׁ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person of Judah יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites stayed by דָּבְק֣וּ (dā·ḇə·qū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1692.htm">Strong's 1692: </a> To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit their king בְמַלְכָּ֔ם (ḇə·mal·kām) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king all the way וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while from the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine to Jerusalem. יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_samuel/20-2.htm">2 Samuel 20:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-2.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 20:2 So all the men of Israel went (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 20:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 20:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 20:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 20:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>