2 Samuel 20

And there happened to be there a rebel… (2 Samuel 20:1)

Look at how this Rebel stirs things up. One moment the tribes of Israel are saying “we have ten parts in David”, the next they say “we have no part in him”. This radical change is accomplished by one man, a man we are told here is a REBEL. A rebel is a man who rejects and fights against that which he has allegiance to. This is exactly what Sheba does here. He actively revolts against David, and 10 tribes follow him.

In the King James he is called a man of Belial. The word “Belial” can literally translate as good for nothing, and carries with it the idea of WICKEDNESS. The man of Belial is one who leaves DESTRUCTION in his wake. Now why would these people forsake a man after God’s own heart to follow a wicked man that leaves a trail of destruction? They did it over a silly fight about who should have been able to bring David back to Jerusalem. The 10 Tribes of Israel claimed that THEY should have been the ones because there were more of them. The Tribe of Judah claimed to be CLOSER RELATIVES. David’s mistake was taking sides in this foolish argument. Words get twisted, tempers get heated, and Sheba sees an opportunity to take on the authority he longs for.

It is never a good idea to use evil circumstances like these to try and better your own position. The fight was of the flesh, and what was needed was men to stand up and say so. Instead we see Sheba taking advantage of the situation… Well Sheba, you reap what you sow! At the end of the chapter we see Sheba’s head get whacked off and thrown over a wall… Not really the kind of future Sheba was gunning for!

We see so much of this going on this chapter… Joab also uses these poor circumstances to better himself… He kills David’s new right hand man and puts himself back in his old position. Things in Israel are ugly… as God had said to David; the sword would not depart from his house.

Don’t be a Sheba or a Joab. Don’t take advantage of situations; always trying to see WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU. Instead, when we find ourselves surrounded by horrible circumstances like these, we need to be the men and women that turn things back to the Lord. Self-promotion isn’t cool, and it is NEVER WORTH IT. Living for the praises of men is a huge mistake because they are short lived… PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR MINDS FAST. The same guys that left David to follow Sheba ended up CUTTING HIS HEAD OFF. Jesus first, then others, yourself last. The Lord will take care of you.