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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>2 Samuel 20 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/2_samuel/20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/2_samuel/20-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > 2 Samuel 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../2_samuel/19.htm" title="2 Samuel 19">◄</a> 2 Samuel 20 <a href="../2_samuel/21.htm" title="2 Samuel 21">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/2_samuel/20.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Sheba’s Rebellion</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Right about then, Bichri’s son Sheba, an ungodly man<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:1 Lit. a son of Belial">a</a></span> from the tribe of Benjamin, sounded a battle trumpet and announced:</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop">We’ve never been a part of David!</p> <p class="poetry2">We’ll never gain anything from Jesse’s son!</p> <p class="poetry2 marginbot">It’s every man to his tent, Israel!</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>So all of the other Israeli soldiers<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:2 i.e. the ten tribes apparently mentioned in 2Sam 19:43; the Heb. lacks other">b</a></span> abandoned David to follow Bichri’s son Sheba, while the army of Judah remained with the king all the way from the Jordan River<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:2 The Heb. lacks River">c</a></span> to Jerusalem.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>When David arrived at his palace in Jerusalem, the king took the ten mistresses<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:3 Lit. concubines; i.e. secondary wives">d</a></span> whom he had left behind to keep the palace in order and placed them in a separate house, providing for them under the care of a protective guard. He never visited them again, so they were under care until they died, living as if their husbands had died.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Meanwhile, David ordered Amasa, “Muster the army of Judah here within three days, and be here yourself!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>But when Amasa went out to muster the army of<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:5 The Heb. lacks the army of">e</a></span> Judah, he delayed to act within the time allotted to him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>So David told Abishai, “Now Bichri’s son Sheba is about to do more damage than did Absalom. So take my personal guards and go after them. Otherwise, he’ll run to one of the fortified cities and escape from us.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>So Joab’s men, the special forces<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:7 Lit. Cherethites; i.e. elite body guards">f</a></span> and mercenaries,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:7 Lit. Pelethites; i.e. special couriers">g</a></span> and all of David’s elite forces left Jerusalem in pursuit of Bichri’s son Sheba.</p> <p class="heading">Joab Murders Amasa</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>When they arrived at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came out to meet them. Joab was dressed in a soldier’s uniform, over which was a belt that fastened a sword sheath to his thigh. As he walked forward, the sword was exposed. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Joab asked Amasa, “Is everything going well with you, my brother?” As Joab took Amasa by his beard to greet him, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Amasa did not notice the sword that Joab was holding in his hand. Joab stabbed him in the abdomen, spilling his intestines to the ground in a single stroke and killing him. After this, Joab and his brother pursued Bichri’s son Sheba.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>One of Joab’s soldiers stood by Amasa while he lay dying<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:11 The Heb. lacks while he lay dying">h</a></span> and announced, “Whoever is in favor of Joab and David, let him follow Joab.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>While Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway, everybody who passed by was stopping to stare at him, so when the soldier saw that all of the army was stopping, he carried Amasa off the highway into a nearby field and covered him with a garment. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>After Amasa<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:13 it. he">i</a></span> had been removed from the highway, the rest of the army followed Joab in pursuit of Bichri’s son Sheba.</p> <p class="heading">Sheba Dies at Abel of Beth-maacah</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Meanwhile, Sheba traveled throughout the tribes of Israel in the direction of Abel and Beth-maacah, and all of the descendants of Beri<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:14 So MT; some ancient versions read descendants of Bichri">j</a></span> gathered together and followed him inside. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>All of the men who had accompanied Joab arrived and besieged Sheba in Abel of Beth-maacah. They threw up a siege ramp against the city rampart and began to batter the wall to demolish it. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Just then a wise woman called out from the city. “Attention!” she said, “Go tell Joab ‘Come here! I want to talk to you!’” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Joab came over and the woman asked him, “Are you Joab?”</p> <p class="reg">“I am,” he answered.</p> <p class="reg">So she told him, “Listen to what your servant has to say!”</p> <p class="reg">“I’m listening,” he replied.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>So she said, “In days past, people used to settle a dispute by saying ‘Let’s ask for advice at Abel!’ <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>I’m one of the peaceful and faithful citizens of Israel. You’re trying to destroy a city that’s a mother in Israel. Why are you devouring the heritage of the LORD?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>But Joab replied, “No way! No way! I’m not here to devour or destroy! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>That’s a lie! But there is a man from the Ephraim hill country—he’s known as Bichri’s son Sheba—who has rebelled against King David. Turn him over and I’ll withdraw from the city!”</p> <p class="reg">So the woman replied, “Watch this! His head will be thrown to you over the city wall.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Then the woman wisely went back to her people. They cut off the head of Bichri’s son Sheba and threw it out to Joab, so Joab sounded his battle trumpet and they withdrew from the city. Everybody went back home and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Joab commanded the entire army of Israel, Jehoiada’s son Benaiah commanded the special forces<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:23 Lit. Cherethites; i.e. elite body guards">k</a></span> and mercenaries,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:23 Lit. Pelethites; i.e. special couriers">l</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Adoram supervised conscripted labor, Ahilud’s son Jehoshaphat was the recorder, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Sheva was secretary, Zadok and Abiathar were priests, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>and Ira the Jairite<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="20:26 Cf. 2Sam 23:38, where he is also known as Ira the Ithrite">m</a></span> was David’s priest.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 20:1 Lit. <i>a son of Belial</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 20:2 i.e. the ten tribes apparently mentioned in 2Sam 19:43; the Heb. lacks <i>other</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 20:2 The Heb. lacks <i>River</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 20:3 Lit. <i>concubines</i>; i.e. secondary wives<br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 20:5 The Heb. lacks <i>the army of</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 20:7 Lit. <i>Cherethites</i>; i.e. elite body guards<br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 20:7 Lit. <i>Pelethites</i>; i.e. special couriers<br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 20:11 The Heb. lacks <i>while he lay dying</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 20:13 it. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 20:14 So MT; some ancient versions read <i>descendants of Bichri</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 20:23 Lit. <i>Cherethites</i>; i.e. elite body guards<br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 20:23 Lit. <i>Pelethites</i>; i.e. special couriers<br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 20:26 Cf. 2Sam 23:38, where he is also known as <i>Ira the Ithrite</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../2_samuel/19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../2_samuel/21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 21" /></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></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/2_samuel/20-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>