2Sa 20:1 | MHM | STEP | Sheba's Rebellion This section tells how King David faced new problems soon after his victory over Absalom. Even though David should have been celebrating, trouble started again in his kingdom. The people’s arguments and old grudges gave an enemy a chance to rebel. David’s own family was also shamed because of past sins. v. 1 : A man named Sheba started a rebellion against David. Sheba was called a man of Belial , meaning he was wicked. He was from the tribe of Benjamin and lived in the area of Mount Ephraim (2 Samuel 20:1; 2 Samuel 20:21 ). This happened right after Absalom’s rebellion was stopped. It shows that when one problem ends, another may begin. The people of Israel and Judah had just made peace, but they soon argued again about who should have the most honor in bringing back the king. Israel said, We have ten parts in David , while Judah said, The king is near of kin to us . Sheba used this quarrel as an opportunity to turn Israel against David. He shouted, We have no part in David , and many Israelites decided to follow him instead of David (2 Samuel 20:1 ). Only the men of Judah stayed loyal to the king (2 Samuel 20:2 ). This teaches us that leaders should not show favoritism, and we should be careful with our words, because small arguments can quickly become big problems (Proverbs 17:14 ). People’s feelings can change quickly; one day they praise someone, and the next day they reject them.

‏ 2 Samuel 20:1

Sheba's Rebellion

This section tells how King David faced new problems soon after his victory over Absalom. Even though David should have been celebrating, trouble started again in his kingdom. The people’s arguments and old grudges gave an enemy a chance to rebel. David’s own family was also shamed because of past sins.

v. 1: A man named Sheba started a rebellion against David. Sheba was called a man of Belial, meaning he was wicked. He was from the tribe of Benjamin and lived in the area of Mount Ephraim (2 Samuel 20:1; 2 Samuel 20:21 ^a). This happened right after Absalom’s rebellion was stopped. It shows that when one problem ends, another may begin. The people of Israel and Judah had just made peace, but they soon argued again about who should have the most honor in bringing back the king. Israel said, We have ten parts in David, while Judah said, The king is near of kin to us. Sheba used this quarrel as an opportunity to turn Israel against David. He shouted, We have no part in David, and many Israelites decided to follow him instead of David (2 Samuel 20:1 ^b). Only the men of Judah stayed loyal to the king (2 Samuel 20:2 ^c). This teaches us that leaders should not show favoritism, and we should be careful with our words, because small arguments can quickly become big problems (Proverbs 17:14 ^d). People’s feelings can change quickly; one day they praise someone, and the next day they reject them.