February 9, 2024 • 42 mins
Chapter 28 of Heroes in the Bible: David with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by 2 Samuel 20.
The Rebellion of Sheba - An ambitious and evil man rises through the ranks and threatens to tear apart everything God has built through David. Will he be able to strike when the king is at his most vulnerable?
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Hebrews 11:6, Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Without faith, it is impossible to be well pleasing to him.
For he who comes to God must believe that He
exists and that He is a rewarder of those who
seek him. Hebrews eleven six. Lord, I believe in you.
I believe you are good all the time. Yes, all
(00:23):
the time, you are good. I put my faith, all
of my hope, all of my trust in you completely.
Your word says you reward those who seek you, and
I am seeking you with my whole heart.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
To day.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
I know you are with me, giving me the courage
and strength and determination that I need to keep moving forward,
accomplishing your plans and purposes for me. I may not
always see the fruit of my efforts or the fruit
of my prayers immediately, but I know you are faithfully
(01:04):
working behind the scenes. At the right time, all will
be revealed. Thank you for your love for me. Thank
you for your patience with me. Thank you for leading
me and guiding me. Thank you for empowering me to
overcome every obstacle, the press on and persevere even when
(01:28):
I'm tempted to quit. I'm inspired by my desire to
honor you today. I'm motivated by my desire to share
your love and your light with others. I want to
make an impact. I want to make a difference in
this world. I know I can do it in your strength,
(01:52):
by your grace, and for your glory. I have faith,
So it's in Jesus' name.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
I pray. Amen.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever
told from Prey dot COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Hello.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Prey dot Com,
and before we start today's episode of Heroes in the Bible,
I wanted to ask do you know what your bank
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(02:37):
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Speaker 4 (02:56):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evan Johoes for Heroes in the Bible.
We've been enjoying this series. Please write a review and
let me know how this podcast has impacted your life.
Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
(03:17):
few know about David the Man. In this episode, David
the Man is exposed and rebuked. This episode does not
feature a profound failure or moral mishap, but we are
coming to a point in the story where the myth
of David has melted away and all that remains is
David the Man. Our story only has a few more episodes,
(03:38):
and it would seem like David's epic tale is crawling
to the finish line. Rest assured, dear listeners that David
still has a few more epic adventures before our time
is up. This episode reminds us that David has some
growing up to do, even in his old age. The
death of his son has left him despondent and crippled
with grief. Normally, we appreciate David's sensitive soul, but this
(04:01):
time it is a bit different. David's emotions overcome him,
resembling what modern doctors might call clinical depression. David is
trapped in his own emotions all throughout this episode, whether
it's because of Absolom, Joe Ab, or the state of Israel.
But the kingdom needs him, his men need him. There
is a mounting threat that can consume the nation if
(04:23):
not dealt with. Does David still have what it takes?
Or as he had a point in his life where
he delegates everything to his subjects, have we seen the
end of the giant slayer? Will the people be forced
to put their trust in joe Ab? Let's find out
in episode twenty eight, The Rebellion of Sheba.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Prelude to Chapter twenty eight, David sat between two gates,
peering out at the battlefield miles away. He could hear
the clanging of swords and the screams of fallen men,
wh there's no way of him knowing what had come
of the battle. He had faith in his men that
they would end the insurrection of Absalom swiftly and decisively.
(05:08):
There had yet to be an army his mighty men
could not topple, and he was confident in their skills. However,
his confidence in them grieved him, for he knew that
they would slay his son if given the chance. He
had ordered them not to, but the possibility of his
death remained. The king sighed and buried his face in
his hands. He hated being sidelined, but he knew it
(05:32):
was best for the battle. He would be a distraction
and he could not get his hands dirty with the
blood of Israelites. David sipped his water skin inside. The
sun was fixed directly in the center of the sky,
beating down on his bare neck. He wiped the sweat
off his brow and mumbled the prayer to the Lord
protect them, he whispered. He was filled with anxiety about
(05:55):
the battle, and his heart pounded even heavier when he
saw a man approaching the watchman on the tower above.
David called out, saying, there's a man running alone.
Speaker 5 (06:05):
If he is alone, it means he's a messenger.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
It was a he Maaas, son of Zaduk, the priest.
He came with news from the forest. He approached with
a smile on his face, waving and jumping with glee.
David's heart was relieved at the sight.
Speaker 6 (06:21):
All is well, my king.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
A Hemaoz declared, Blessed be.
Speaker 6 (06:24):
The Lord, your God. He has delivered up the men
who rebelled against you. Joab and the others were able
to subdue the enemy and make swift work of their ranks.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
What of my son, Absolutely, David asked anxiously. I have
no word, he replied.
Speaker 6 (06:42):
There was a great commotion once the army began to flee.
Perhaps he departed with the rest.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Of them, as a he Maya said this, Another messenger
came from the same direction. It was a Kushited messenger
sent by Joab himself. I come with good news, my king,
he said, with a beaming smile. Yes, good I may
As has told me we have won. David replied, but
what of my son Absolom? The Kushite smile leaft immediately,
and he darted his eyes to a Hemaos. He looked
(07:10):
down and bowed before the king, saying, my.
Speaker 7 (07:13):
King, if it is any consolation, I pray all of
your enemy's perish in the same way Absolute did, For
he was an evil young man.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
David's heart grew heavy in his chest, and he found
it nearly impossible to speak. His son had been slain.
Like an uncircumcised enemy. He said nothing to the messengers.
He stumbled behind the gate and leaned on the wall,
gasping for air. Tears rained down from his face on
to the dry ground beneath him. He pounded his fists
(07:44):
against the stone wall and fell onto his knees. He
gripped his chest. The pain was unbearable.
Speaker 5 (07:51):
My son, Absolom, My son, my son, my son.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
His face hit the dirt, and the tears continued to
flow out of him like a river.
Speaker 6 (08:02):
Who is she with me?
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Who perished and said of you, my dear son, by son,
by son, Absolom. The king was inconsolable. He retreated into
a room within the walls and laid his head on
the floor. His weeping was great, and his pain was overpowering.
For days he laid there, unable to get himself out
(08:24):
of bed. Chapter twenty eight, the Rebellion of Sheba. Joab
rode in with his men into the gates of Gilead.
Word was sent to him that the king had locked
himself away in his room. The grizzled commander dismounted his
horse and strode through the courtyard. He saw one of
(08:45):
the servants bringing food in for the king. Where is he?
He said shortly, He is in his chambers.
Speaker 8 (08:52):
He has barely eaten in days.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
He said. Joeb nodded and knocked on David's door. There
was no answer. He knocked again and yelled.
Speaker 5 (09:02):
My king, we have won.
Speaker 9 (09:05):
Come and congratulate your men for their courage.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
There was still no response. Joeab was frustrated. He pounded
on the door until finally kicking him down. The wood
at the hinges split into dozens of pieces, and Joab
stormed in to see David lying in bed. The king
rolled over and glared at Joab. What are you doing?
He asked, What am I doing? Joeab gasped, what are
(09:30):
you doing?
Speaker 9 (09:31):
Your men have returned from a valiant battle and reclaimed
your throne, yet you lay here like a spoiled child.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
David got out of his bed and stood to his feet.
Speaker 5 (09:40):
I am grieving the loss of my son, he yelled.
Have some compassion, Joab, have you no heart?
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Joe Ab took the king by the collar and pushed
him ah. David pushed back, landing a blow on Joab's jaw.
Joab tackled him and pinned him to the wall again,
this time slamming him against the stone. Listen to me,
joe Abb yelled.
Speaker 9 (10:02):
I have served you for years, and I have earned
the right to speak.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
David tried to break free again, but Joe Abb was
intent on getting his point across. He drove his arm
into David's neck and yelled, you will.
Speaker 9 (10:15):
Lose far more than your son if you decide to
remain here weeping.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Joe Ab released David and then pointed out the window.
Speaker 9 (10:22):
Come look and see what I see.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
David was considering striking Joe Abb, but instead looked outside.
Thousands of men were sitting outside the gate, nursing wounds
and enjoying their first meal in days. Joe Ab spoke
close to David's face, continuing to.
Speaker 9 (10:39):
Yell, today you have covered them all in shame. They
marched out to save your life. They fought for you,
your wives, and your children. You have not come out
to greet them, nor have you prepared anything for them
as a reward. You have made it clear that your
commander's and servants me nothing to you.
Speaker 5 (10:56):
Of course I care, David yelled, I wanted to ruch
with them, but you wouldn't let me because we were
trying to save you.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Joe Ab retorted, and we succeeded.
Speaker 9 (11:07):
But you haven't noticed, have you, David?
Speaker 2 (11:10):
No, do you know why Joe Ab walked closer to
David and maintain his aggressive demeanor. He pointed his finger
at David's chest and said.
Speaker 9 (11:18):
Because you love those who hate you, David, you long
for their acceptance and show too much mercy. You did
it with Zaul, and you did the same with Absalom.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
There was a long pause, and joe AB's tough veneer
began to break. There was a crack in his voice,
and David could see he was holding back tears.
Speaker 9 (11:38):
My King, you mourn as if you wished Absalom were
alive and we were dead.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
David was speechless. Joe AB's words cut him deeply. Joeb
coughed and composed himself. He stood up straight and said.
Speaker 9 (11:54):
Arise, my king, go out and speak kind words to
the men who laid it all on the line for you.
I swear by the Lord. If you do not go,
not a man will stay with you.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Joab rubbed his sword jaw and left the room. David
was left standing there, cut to the heart by Joab's words.
The men were outside, laughing through the pain of broken
bones and flesh wounds. They sat in the dust, content
to enjoy one another's company until given orders. Then the
king arose from his room and stepped out into the courtyard.
(12:28):
The men all stood at attention. He smiled and lifted
up his hands and praised to God. The rest of
them cheered, and David embraced them. He thanked them for
their sacrifice and praised them for their bravery. King David,
the Shepherd of Israel and commander of his armies, had returned.
The king made peace with the elders of Judah and Israel,
(12:51):
and returned with an agenda of peace. The people repented
for their confused devotion to Absalom and once again embraced
their king as God chosen and anointed. He pardoned those
who did him wrong, and forgave those who sought to
destroy him. Even Shimei, the man who threw dung at
him and cursed him, was pardoned and forgiven for all
(13:12):
the things Joab had said. He got one thing wrong.
David would continue to show mercy to those who hated him.
He would continue to extend grace to those who scorned him.
Why because he served a merciful and gracious God. Who
was he to deny them what God had freely given
him again and again. Yet not all was at peace
(13:34):
within the borders of Israel, a bitter and contentious spirit
was growing. The night sky was covered by dark clouds.
The air was hot and humid, and most people had
retreated early into their homes to escape the grossness of
the air. However, there was a man who was not
sleeping that night. In the middle of a courtyard in
(13:54):
Jerusalem Sheba, a Benjamite, conspired against the king. He stood
on a platform dimly lit by torchlight. He was a
tall and lean man, clearly hardened from years of battle.
His long legs paced back and forth on the platform
as he spoke to the people below. There will be
no riches for us to inherit under King David, he
(14:17):
said to them. His voice was resonating like the roar
of a lion, yet smooth, like the gentle hiss of
a snake. Absolute proof to us that his throne is fragile,
his rule is weak, and we have no future under him.
He spoke to the lonely and the marginalized. In the
weeks leading up to this moment, there had been growing
division among Judah and the rest of Israel. While the
(14:39):
region of Judath thrived under King David, the rest of
the tribes found themselves struggling in economic uncertainty. The people
of Israel had felt the pain of an unstable rule
since the war against Ammon. They believed it was time
for a new king, and Sheba took advantage of their restlessness.
He stirred up the crowds to chant, we have no
(15:00):
inheritance in David. He shouted, he favors Judah. Maybe he
should go back to just being their key. Let us
find our own way, let us fight. The men of
Israel gathered around Sheba. As the weeks passed, his message
of insurrection grew. Hundreds turned into thousands, and David's name
became a curse to many. The mocking of the multitude multiplied. However,
(15:25):
Judah remained steadfast and loyal to their king. David did
not take the stirring of Sheba lightly. He needed to
put an end to it before the nation became too
divided to recover. He gathered his loyal men and the
elders of Judah together to discuss Sheba. Missing from the
group was Joe app, whom David did not invite to
the table. After their fight, David had decided to look
(15:49):
elsewhere for leadership over his army. He leaned over the
war table and shook his head. What are we hearing,
he asked his advisers.
Speaker 10 (15:58):
The nation has split in two once again. Amasa said,
the economic repercussions of Absalom's coup have been hard to
recover from, and the people blame you.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
Amasa was once loyal to Absalom, but had since been
reconciled with David. However, there was still a lingering distrust
between him and the others. Abieshi was also there. He
lifted his voice and said.
Speaker 8 (16:21):
My King, we need to end this swiftly. Absalom was
self serving and ambitious. He was calculated, but easy to predict.
This man Sheba is chaotic, unpredictable, and has no clear
desire to be king. He is dangerous.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
David nodded, his brow was furrowed, and his lips were pursed.
He prayed to the Lord for wisdom in his mind,
seeking answers to such a complicated problem. The men of
Judah have remained loyal, he said. They outnumber the rebels
of Israel greatly. We need them here to quench this rebellion.
David gesture to Amasa, Amasa, will you gather the men
(17:01):
of Judah as their commander. Abishi turned his head and shock,
my king, what of job? David peered over at Abishai
and shook his head. Do not speak to me of joeeb,
he said plainly. He turned again to Amasa and said,
can I count on you? The young commander bowed his
head and smiled.
Speaker 10 (17:21):
I will not let you down, my king.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
So Amasa left to gather the men of Judah. It
was his duty to organize the ranks of Judah's men,
form a march, and set up a garrison outside Jerusalem.
David needed the men present to lead them into battle,
and Amasa's job was of great importance. However, three days
passed and Amasa had failed to gather the men. He
(17:44):
showed no urgency, leadership, or ability to mobilize. In crisis,
David waited for the men of Judah to arrive at
the gates of Jerusalem. However, there was no one to
be seen. Finally, he called for Abishi to enter his
war room. Abeshi entered and sat down before David. The
king sighed and rubbed his temples.
Speaker 5 (18:04):
Abishai, I once again need to call on your faithfulness.
You are a good friend and an excellent warrior. Abessh
I nodded and smiled. David stood up and pointed to
a map. His finger slid from Jerusalem to beth Makhah.
I have been given word that Sheba has mobilized a
(18:25):
great number of men to the region of Beth Makah.
It is believed that he may be creating a stronghold
in one of the smaller towns. Abitshi looked at the map.
Beth Makhan was a poor region with rich history, No
doubt she besought as an opportunity to easily take advantage
of the people there. What would you have me do, Lord,
(18:46):
he asked politely, still slightly perturbed that his brother was
not there. The king folded his hands and paced the room.
A Massa has failed to gather the men of Judah
in time. I do not know where he he is,
or if he is even coming. I cannot wait any longer.
If Sheba continues, he can do more damage than Absolom.
(19:08):
Will you take the mighty men and pursue him. Ambishi
looked at the king and studied his face. He was
clearly in conflict with himself. David knew that he should
assign this to joe Ab, but there was something that
held him back. As David grew older, Abeshi could see
the cracks and david seemingly perfect character. He was a
(19:30):
man who struggled with abandonment and deep wounds caused by
his own father and his father in laws.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Aul. The mythical legend of the giant Slayer was slowly
fading into history, and now ambish I could see that
before him was just a man, a good man, a
noble man, but still just a man. Abishin drew a
deep breath and nodded, of course.
Speaker 8 (19:52):
I will, my King. I will pursue Sheba while you
remain here to study the economic fallout from all this.
The elders need you to. He helped them move forward.
While you deal with the politics, I shall deal with Sheba.
David was relieved at Abishai's answer. As he left, David
stopped him, saying, Abishai, if Joe ab desires to march
(20:14):
with you, I would very much appreciate his skill. Abishi
smiled and bowed. Then he left to assemble the Mighty Men.
They gathered immediately, ready to pursue Sheba with all their might.
Even though the Mighty Men were growing older and the
youthful endurance they once possessed was waning. They were still
to be feared. Every surrounding nation knew that David's mighty
(20:38):
men were not to be trifled with, and Sheba would
feel their wrath fall down like heavy rain. Sheba stormed
through the nation like a violent wildfire, consuming all in
his wake. His voice resonated with every person he spoke to,
stirring them up to anger and discontentment. He took advantage
(20:59):
of the hurt, the poor, and the dispossessed. Instead of
pointing to the hope of God, he called for uprising
and chaos. Everywhere he went he gathered more followers. They
followed him in hopes for a better future. But Sheiba
had not thought that far. All he wanted to do
was beheard and have their attention. He had it, and
(21:21):
he had no idea what to do with it. Without
the ranks of Judah, Sheba's army was small and insufficient. However,
he had the sway of the masses on his side.
They were under his spell, and his words corrupted them
like a slow working poison.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
We shall build a new Israel, one of no poverty,
war or corruption. A new Israel built by the people.
His message resonated, and they followed him throughout the region.
A messenger from Jerusalem found Sheba and his followers.
Speaker 8 (21:55):
They are coming, he shouted, run for your lives, the
mighty men are coming.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Siba turned around with a grave expression. Who is coming?
He asked in a hushed voice. The messenger answered, saying.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
The King has sent Aba Shai and the mighty men
of David to pursue you.
Speaker 8 (22:11):
Shehiba, They are only a day's journey away.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
What are you going to do?
Speaker 10 (22:16):
Will you fight them?
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Shiba knew it would be utter foolishness to fight them.
He had no army, he had no plan. His role
was to stir the people up, get them angry, and
bask in the wave of glory they created for him.
He turned to the people and raised his hands to
the nearest city.
Speaker 8 (22:34):
There we shall prepare for David's hunting dogs.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
The people began to murmur amongst themselves. The news about
David's mighty men caused a great deal of consideration among them.
They began to question what they were doing, and began
to realize Sheba may not know what he was doing.
Sheba and the rebels marched to the city of Abel.
There he established himself as governor. His followers bullied people
(23:00):
out of their home so they could sleep for the night,
and Sheba called for a great feast to be made
in his name. The elders of Abel were not sure
how to react to Sheba's presence. He came with a
great deal of people, and they did not desire to fight. However,
he was not a welcomed presence in their city. As
Sheba dined on stolen meat, bread, and wine, the elders
(23:23):
convene in a secret place. Among them was a woman,
a wise sage of the city. She led the discussion
against Sheba, strategizing on how to get rid of him.
Speaker 7 (23:33):
Listen to me, brothers, she said, the time may come
when David's mighty men come knocking at our gates. We
must decide now if we are going to help.
Speaker 10 (23:42):
Them, not if it costs us our lives.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Another elder declared.
Speaker 10 (23:48):
Sheba has his dagger at our throats. One false move
and we may be taken out.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
The others mumbled and nodded in agreement. They were caught
in a difficult situation and were not sure on how
to proceed. They felt like hostages in their own city.
As they discussed, there was a pounding at the door.
The elders looked up, then at one another. They had
no time to act before Sheba and his guards kicked
(24:15):
down the door. Truly, the city of Abe was in
a grave situation. The mighty men of David were camped
out in Gibeon. They remained there under the covering of
a large stone. Its massive frame blocked out of the
sun and protected them from the harshness of midday. The
servants of the king who followed him in exile were
(24:37):
also there, the Cherathites and the Pelethites. They were a
faithful bunch, filled with courage and devotion to their king.
All together they were perfectly capable of going after Sheba.
Abeshi and Joab were confident they could find Sheba by
the week's end and destroy him before the rebellion spread
any further. Knight approached, and the two of them met
(24:59):
under them. Together, they sat by the fire, stoking it
and strategizing for the conflict ahead.
Speaker 8 (25:06):
We must expect that Sheba has men willing to fight,
Abishi said, some trained soldiers, others willing civilians.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Joe Ab affirmed, Abishi.
Speaker 9 (25:15):
We want as little bloodshed as possible. If we are
to keep our nation intact, we must not kill too
many of our countrymen.
Speaker 8 (25:23):
Finding Sheba and killing him first is our best option
to keep the peace.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Abishi added, wherever he.
Speaker 8 (25:29):
Is hiding, I doubt he will come out and fight
us himself.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Joe Ab nodded, and the two of them continued to
discuss the best way to proceed. The next morning, the
two brothers awoke to the sound of marching. They ran
out of their tents and saw the armies of Judah
approaching from the south. In front of them was a Massa,
smiling with his arms stretched out in joy. Joe Ab
(25:53):
was not amused. The man who took my job, he muttered,
Amasa had been weeks late in gathering the armies of Judah.
He proved to be incompetent when it came to leading,
or worse, perhaps he was failing on purpose. Joab looked
at him with skeptical eyes. He did not trust him
and saw his incompetence as a threat to Israel. If
(26:15):
he is in charge, we may perish, Joab sent to Abishi.
Abhishik knew the look in his brother's eyes. Usually he
was the voice of reason and caution in Joab's life. However,
this time he did not feel the need to hold
his brother back. Do what pleases you, brother, I will
not stop you. Joeab smirked and stepped forward to go
(26:37):
meet Amassa. Joab was wearing a soldier's uniform, signifying his
demotion from commander. It amused a Massa to see Joab
humbled in such a way.
Speaker 10 (26:48):
Ah the Mighty Joab, He jested, what a pleasant surprise
to see you here. I did not know if David
would allow you to fight for him.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Joeab feigned a smile and said, a well with you,
my brother.
Speaker 9 (27:01):
It took you a long time to get here.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
We thought you were dead. A Massa's smile left him.
Joe Ab laughed and came close to him.
Speaker 9 (27:09):
Come here, Amasa, greet me as an ally. We fight
for the same king.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
A Massa quickly scanned joe app to see if he
had a sword. He did not. He let down his
guard and Joab grabbed him by the beard and brought
a dagger out from his thigh. He drove it deep
into a Mass's stomach and twisted him.
Speaker 9 (27:27):
He leaned in and whispered, I have killed many men
for the safety of this nation. You are but another
number on the path to peace.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Joe Ab let go, and a Massa fell onto the floor.
His entrails poured out of his stomach. He was still alive.
Frantically trying to get them back in. He wailed in agony,
slowly losing blood and life. Joe Ab wiped the blood
off his blade, looked up to the army behind a
Massa and bowed. He left back into the ranks of
(27:59):
Abeshire without saying a word. Abeshi looked out at the
army of Judah and shrugged, then left back to lead
his men. Joab's armor bear stood over the corpse of
Amasa and raised his voice to Judah, saying.
Speaker 3 (28:13):
Whoever favors Joab, whoever is for King David, let him
follow Joab into battle.
Speaker 8 (28:20):
Let them fights for the nation.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
The ranks of Judah pressed onward and followed Joab. The
mighty men of David, the servants of the King, and
the armies of Judah all march to defend the integrity
of Israel. Many of the men passed by Amassa and
winced in disgust, until finally Some of them took his
body aside and covered it with a garment. Amasa's body
(28:43):
was left to rod in the desert between Gibeon and Abel.
His death was a sobering reminder of Joab's resolve. He
was brutally and violently devoted to David and the people
of Israel, and no one would stand in his way.
The men of David finally made it able. The city
had large walls surrounding every side of it. There was
(29:04):
only one entrance, and it was guarded by thousands of
Sheba's men. His devoted followers stood at attention with their
weapons protecting the city. Joab looked back at his men.
Speaker 5 (29:15):
Take out the guard first, he shouted.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
Joe Ab gave the signal, and the mighty men ran forward,
with the armies of Judah behind them. Like a rushing wind.
The Mighty Men blew down the followers of Sheila. They
tried to brace themselves. However, Joeab and the rest of
the warriors were far too quick. Abshi himself cut through
seven men to reach the edge of the wall. He
(29:39):
knocked four of them out with the blunt end of
his blade, then slashed the other three at the knees.
He did not want to kill them, for they were
his countrymen. There was only one man he desired to kill.
Joe Ab was not so worseful. His sword met the
throats of dusts. He was like a mother bear, ferociously
protecting her goods. His stamina was unmatched, and his brutality
(30:02):
was without equal. Whoever did not fall to the sword
fled back to their homes, and now Sheiva was alone
behind the walls of they The men stood at the
rampart of the walls, clamoring after Sheida, bring in the rams,
joe Ad commanded me. Dozens of men came in from
behind the hills that battering rams made from trigue in
(30:22):
the new days. They ran into the door, cracking it
slightly from the first blow. Joe Add signaled for them
to cease, and he yelled at whoever was listening on
the other side.
Speaker 5 (30:33):
I will burn this city.
Speaker 9 (30:36):
I will destroy it if I must bring out Sheba.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
There was no response, only silence. Very well, joe Ab said.
He nodded to the soldiers to continue battering the doors.
The blows shook the earth below. As the soldiers were
readying themselves to go again, Joeb heard a voice.
Speaker 7 (30:56):
Yell, listen, please stop.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Joeb looked and saw a woman calling out from the wall.
He sheathed his sword and approached the rampart. It was
the wise woman from the Council of Elders.
Speaker 7 (31:09):
Are you Joab?
Speaker 2 (31:11):
She asked, I am, who are you?
Speaker 7 (31:14):
Joeab replied, I am from the city, and I implore
you to cease this attack. We have done nothing wrong.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
The woman's voice was not frantic or angry. She was
calm and sure of herself. She intrigued Joeab, so he
nodded for her to continue speaking.
Speaker 7 (31:30):
They used to say in former times, before the days
of kings, let us ask for the Council of Abel.
Matters were settled here in the city, and we were
known as the most peaceful and faithful in Israel. Why
would you swallow up a rich heritage like ours by
destroying the city.
Speaker 9 (31:49):
Joeb could not help but chuckle, you think I want
to destroy the city, Far be it from me to
destroy anything. I've not come to swallow you up in fire.
I have come for one reason and one reason alone. Sheba,
he has lifted his hand against the king. Give him up,
and we will withdraw from the city.
Speaker 7 (32:06):
Do I have your word. That is true.
Speaker 9 (32:08):
She asked, my very word, bring me Sheba and we
leave in peace.
Speaker 7 (32:14):
Then I will ensure his head is thrown over.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
The wall, she said nervously. Joab once again could not
help but chuckle. She seems so sure of herself. However,
Sheba would not go quietly. Joab gestured for his men
to cease their attack of the wall. They waited, looking
for any sign from the city that Siba was dead.
Speaker 7 (32:37):
Joab has given his word.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
The wise woman said, in confidence.
Speaker 7 (32:41):
If we are able to kill Sheba, he retreats.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
The elders were gathered in a room discussing in secret
what to do with Sheba.
Speaker 7 (32:48):
We will have Joab come and cause an uproar in
our city. Sheba will retaliate and many lives will be lost.
Is that what you want?
Speaker 2 (32:57):
The elders shut their heads in shame. The woman put
a hand on her heart and.
Speaker 7 (33:01):
Said, I want to live in peace within my city.
Sheba has robbed our piece, so I say we take
it back.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
They were all in agreement. The elders called Sheba in
for a feast. They staged warriors at the sides of
the entrance with daggers slowly. They wanted Sheba approach. He
was as skittish as ever, but would not turn down
a hearty meal. His guards came in first, and the
warriors of the city took daggers to their ribs. In
(33:30):
one swift motion, the two warriors killed the guards. They
keeled over, and Sheba ran for his life. After him,
they yelled. He ran through the city streets, running away
from the warriors a babel. He knocked over carts from
the marketplace and burst open chicken coops to escape. He
did not care who he ran over to get away. Finally,
(33:53):
he scaled up a roof and began to run over
the rooftops one by one. He jumped from home to
home until finally reaching the top of the wall. He
ran on the top searching for a way out, but
joe Ab was waiting at the bottom for him. He
saw an opening leading to an exit on the other side.
Just as he was about to jump down, a spear
(34:15):
went whistling through the air, landing directly through his side.
Sheiba fell onto the stone floor of the wall and
writhed in pain. The warriors finally caught up to him,
took him by the head and chopped it off. Sheiba's
body bled over the edge of the wall, dripping down
onto the floor below. They held the head high in
the air for the whole city to see. Shiva was
(34:38):
dead and no rebel would be welcomed within the gates
of Abel. Joe Ab was on the other side. The
sun was descending over the wall, causing joe Ab to
squint when he heard a clamoring from within its borders. Finally,
something went flying through the air, blocking the sun for
a moment. All the men watched the object fall onto
the floor with a thud. Joab approached and turned the
(35:01):
object around with his foot. Shebassevered head was lying face
first in the sand. Joab laughed again, and a bowed
to the wall. Although he could not see her, he
knew the Wise woman was watching. She was and smirked
as Joab gave a sarcastic bow. Joab took out the
trumpet from his belts and blew it. The sound resonated
(35:24):
for over a mile, signaling for the men to return home.
Speaker 4 (35:30):
Lingering unrest was inevitable. Absalom shook up Israel, and it
comes as no surprise that there was political and social unrest.
It came at a bad time, because King David does
not seem up to the task of handling any of it.
The prelude takes us into the chambers of the king.
He has responded after the loss of his son. Even
(35:51):
though he was a treacherous psychopath, David is no different
from any father who loved his son. However, the grief
cripples him in a way unbecoming of a king. His
bereavement seems over the top, and there is political and
social strife being ignored. I am not a psychologist, but
many scholars, psychologists and theologians believe that David had suffered
(36:14):
from some sort of depression in his life. We may
have witnessed a particularly difficult bout for him. Either way,
David's kingdom was being neglected and it took the heavy
handedness of Joe Ab to snap him out of it.
Joeab was harsh physically and verbally with the king, but
we don't get the sense that he went too far.
(36:34):
But he made some really powerful but he made some
really forceful points. In the heat of the moment, Joe
ad pins David down and rebukes him. This is one
of the more compelling scenes of our series because We
are trying to save you, Joe, I retorted, and we succeeded.
But you haven't noticed, have you, David?
Speaker 2 (36:54):
No, do you know why?
Speaker 4 (36:56):
Joeab walked closer to David and maintained his aggressive demeanor.
He pointed his finger at David's chest and said, because
you love those who hate you, David, you long for
their acceptance and show too much mercy. You did it
with Saul, and you did it with Absolom. There was
a long pause, and Joe AB's tougher veneer began to break.
(37:16):
There was a crack in his voice, and David could
see he was holding back tears. My king, you mourn
as if you wish Absen were alive and we were dead.
Joe Ab reintroduced an older theme of this series, father wounds.
David's childhood was marked by neglect, and as a result,
he seemed to pine after the approval of those who
(37:38):
hated him. Joab hit a nerve with David, but it
was the right thing to do. His words got David
out of bed and among his men. However, Ab and
David's relationship suffers mainly because of David's pride. Sometimes compelling
truths are packaged and harsh tones. Jesus when faith was
(37:58):
some of the Pharisees and honey changes in the temple
use very aggressive tones and even flip tables. When Peter
was undermining the mission of God, Jesus said, get behind me, Satan.
Jesus was no stranger to conflict. The balance for us
is to know when to speak gently and when to
speak boldly. The coup of Absalom shook the economic foundation
(38:21):
of Israel. Judah, being the larger and more stable tribe,
was not as effected. However, the other tribes of Israel
were hurting. There was a large group of people who
felt dispossessed and angry, which was a perfect opportunity for
someone to take advantage. People like Sheba come around every
couple of years. Sheba is like many cult leaders, fringe
(38:43):
political activists and ideologues that loved to stir people up.
People like him fan the flames of anger but offer
no real solutions. They talk of a new world order
and salvation without any concrete ideas of convictions. Utopia is
always their fantasy, but corruption is always their reality. Sheba
(39:05):
is an agent of chaos. David knows he needs to
quench the uprising and put an end to Sheba. But
he can't march against him. He needs to stay and
deal with the elders, so he sends a Massa to
lead his army. He doesn't invite Joe ab though, because
of his petty grudge. A Massa's loyalty and competence are
in question, so it surprises Abashar to see him take command.
(39:29):
There's a moment in this episode where Abashah observes David
like we would as David grew older. Abajah could see
the cracks and David's seemingly perfect character. He was a
man who struggled with abandonment and deep wounds caused by
his own father and his father in laws.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
Aul.
Speaker 4 (39:47):
The mythical legend of the Giant Slayer was slowly fading
in the history, and now Abajar could see that before
him was just a man, a good man, a noble man,
but just a man. As our story is slowly drawing
to a close, our overarching theme becomes clearer. David is
not the ultimate hero. We've been reminding ourselves this whole series,
(40:10):
while also standing in awe of how awesome David is.
But now as he stacks more and more failures, we
get to fully realize David is just another sinner. The
myth of David is melting away, and we are left
with just a man. Joe Ab re enters the story
when it is time to march against Sheba. It seems
clear that a massa was either terribly incompetent or secretly rebelling.
(40:35):
Either way, it was putting Israel in danger. Joe it
takes matters into his own hands. He did it with Abner,
he did it with Absalom, and he did it with
the Massa. Joe Ab, the most fiercely loyal subject of David,
frequently disobeys him for the safety of Israel. We are
supposed to love and hate Joe Ab. Why because we
(40:56):
just can't tell if he's good or bad. He protects
Israel no, but he disobeys the king. He saves lives,
but he murders out of revenge. He loves David, but
he kills David's allies. Joe Ab seems to think David
needs him to make the tough decisions he is unwilling
to make.
Speaker 10 (41:12):
Is he wrong?
Speaker 4 (41:14):
Job is one of the most confusing characters in scripture.
We don't know whether to praise him or hate him,
and neither does David Sheba is eventually killed and the
people go back to normal. This is a perfect example
of fleeting ideologies and movements that have no momentum once
their charismatic leader is gone. Would it be the same
(41:34):
for David? What will his legacy be? At this point
in David's life, he isn't quite sure what the lasting
memory of him will be. In our next episode, we
will witness David wrestling with his own legacy and the
name he will leave behind. We are almost to the
end of our series and David has a few more
good fights in him. Let's finish well with episode twenty nine,
(41:58):
The Heart of a King. Thanks again for listening. For
more inspiring stories, daily prayers with them to last a lifetime,
go to pray dot com and to expand your heroes
in the Bible Journey, download the Heroes of the Faith
devotional at Tony Evans dot org. Forward slash Heroes, Write
a review and let us know how this podcast has
(42:20):
impacted your life. God bless
Without faith, it is impossible to be well pleasing to him.
For he who comes to God must believe that He
exists and that He is a rewarder of those who
seek him. Hebrews eleven six. Lord, I believe in you.
I believe you are good all the time. Yes, all
(00:23):
the time, you are good. I put my faith, all
of my hope, all of my trust in you completely.
Your word says you reward those who seek you, and
I am seeking you with my whole heart.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
To day.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
I know you are with me, giving me the courage
and strength and determination that I need to keep moving forward,
accomplishing your plans and purposes for me. I may not
always see the fruit of my efforts or the fruit
of my prayers immediately, but I know you are faithfully
(01:04):
working behind the scenes. At the right time, all will
be revealed. Thank you for your love for me. Thank
you for your patience with me. Thank you for leading
me and guiding me. Thank you for empowering me to
overcome every obstacle, the press on and persevere even when
(01:28):
I'm tempted to quit. I'm inspired by my desire to
honor you today. I'm motivated by my desire to share
your love and your light with others. I want to
make an impact. I want to make a difference in
this world. I know I can do it in your strength,
(01:52):
by your grace, and for your glory. I have faith,
So it's in Jesus' name.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
I pray. Amen.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever
told from Prey dot COM's podcast, Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Hello.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
My name is Matthew Potter, co founder of Prey dot Com,
and before we start today's episode of Heroes in the Bible,
I wanted to ask do you know what your bank
does with your money? At America's Christian Credit Union, your
everyday banking helps grow churches, expand the reach of missions agencies,
and supports fellow believers across the country. Learn more about
(02:37):
specials for switching to ACCU and their nationwide banking capabilities
at America's Christian cu dot Com Forward slash Prey plus
the peace of mind knowing that this credit union is
federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evan Johoes for Heroes in the Bible.
We've been enjoying this series. Please write a review and
let me know how this podcast has impacted your life.
Welcome to the Epic Adventure of David, a story of honor, battle, jealousy, darkness, friendship, love, scandal,
and murder. While most people know of David the Myth,
(03:17):
few know about David the Man. In this episode, David
the Man is exposed and rebuked. This episode does not
feature a profound failure or moral mishap, but we are
coming to a point in the story where the myth
of David has melted away and all that remains is
David the Man. Our story only has a few more episodes,
(03:38):
and it would seem like David's epic tale is crawling
to the finish line. Rest assured, dear listeners that David
still has a few more epic adventures before our time
is up. This episode reminds us that David has some
growing up to do, even in his old age. The
death of his son has left him despondent and crippled
with grief. Normally, we appreciate David's sensitive soul, but this
(04:01):
time it is a bit different. David's emotions overcome him,
resembling what modern doctors might call clinical depression. David is
trapped in his own emotions all throughout this episode, whether
it's because of Absolom, Joe Ab, or the state of Israel.
But the kingdom needs him, his men need him. There
is a mounting threat that can consume the nation if
(04:23):
not dealt with. Does David still have what it takes?
Or as he had a point in his life where
he delegates everything to his subjects, have we seen the
end of the giant slayer? Will the people be forced
to put their trust in joe Ab? Let's find out
in episode twenty eight, The Rebellion of Sheba.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Prelude to Chapter twenty eight, David sat between two gates,
peering out at the battlefield miles away. He could hear
the clanging of swords and the screams of fallen men,
wh there's no way of him knowing what had come
of the battle. He had faith in his men that
they would end the insurrection of Absalom swiftly and decisively.
(05:08):
There had yet to be an army his mighty men
could not topple, and he was confident in their skills. However,
his confidence in them grieved him, for he knew that
they would slay his son if given the chance. He
had ordered them not to, but the possibility of his
death remained. The king sighed and buried his face in
his hands. He hated being sidelined, but he knew it
(05:32):
was best for the battle. He would be a distraction
and he could not get his hands dirty with the
blood of Israelites. David sipped his water skin inside. The
sun was fixed directly in the center of the sky,
beating down on his bare neck. He wiped the sweat
off his brow and mumbled the prayer to the Lord
protect them, he whispered. He was filled with anxiety about
(05:55):
the battle, and his heart pounded even heavier when he
saw a man approaching the watchman on the tower above.
David called out, saying, there's a man running alone.
Speaker 5 (06:05):
If he is alone, it means he's a messenger.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
It was a he Maaas, son of Zaduk, the priest.
He came with news from the forest. He approached with
a smile on his face, waving and jumping with glee.
David's heart was relieved at the sight.
Speaker 6 (06:21):
All is well, my king.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
A Hemaoz declared, Blessed be.
Speaker 6 (06:24):
The Lord, your God. He has delivered up the men
who rebelled against you. Joab and the others were able
to subdue the enemy and make swift work of their ranks.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
What of my son, Absolutely, David asked anxiously. I have
no word, he replied.
Speaker 6 (06:42):
There was a great commotion once the army began to flee.
Perhaps he departed with the rest.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Of them, as a he Maya said this, Another messenger
came from the same direction. It was a Kushited messenger
sent by Joab himself. I come with good news, my king,
he said, with a beaming smile. Yes, good I may
As has told me we have won. David replied, but
what of my son Absolom? The Kushite smile leaft immediately,
and he darted his eyes to a Hemaos. He looked
(07:10):
down and bowed before the king, saying, my.
Speaker 7 (07:13):
King, if it is any consolation, I pray all of
your enemy's perish in the same way Absolute did, For
he was an evil young man.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
David's heart grew heavy in his chest, and he found
it nearly impossible to speak. His son had been slain.
Like an uncircumcised enemy. He said nothing to the messengers.
He stumbled behind the gate and leaned on the wall,
gasping for air. Tears rained down from his face on
to the dry ground beneath him. He pounded his fists
(07:44):
against the stone wall and fell onto his knees. He
gripped his chest. The pain was unbearable.
Speaker 5 (07:51):
My son, Absolom, My son, my son, my son.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
His face hit the dirt, and the tears continued to
flow out of him like a river.
Speaker 6 (08:02):
Who is she with me?
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Who perished and said of you, my dear son, by son,
by son, Absolom. The king was inconsolable. He retreated into
a room within the walls and laid his head on
the floor. His weeping was great, and his pain was overpowering.
For days he laid there, unable to get himself out
(08:24):
of bed. Chapter twenty eight, the Rebellion of Sheba. Joab
rode in with his men into the gates of Gilead.
Word was sent to him that the king had locked
himself away in his room. The grizzled commander dismounted his
horse and strode through the courtyard. He saw one of
(08:45):
the servants bringing food in for the king. Where is he?
He said shortly, He is in his chambers.
Speaker 8 (08:52):
He has barely eaten in days.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
He said. Joeb nodded and knocked on David's door. There
was no answer. He knocked again and yelled.
Speaker 5 (09:02):
My king, we have won.
Speaker 9 (09:05):
Come and congratulate your men for their courage.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
There was still no response. Joeab was frustrated. He pounded
on the door until finally kicking him down. The wood
at the hinges split into dozens of pieces, and Joab
stormed in to see David lying in bed. The king
rolled over and glared at Joab. What are you doing?
He asked, What am I doing? Joeab gasped, what are
(09:30):
you doing?
Speaker 9 (09:31):
Your men have returned from a valiant battle and reclaimed
your throne, yet you lay here like a spoiled child.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
David got out of his bed and stood to his feet.
Speaker 5 (09:40):
I am grieving the loss of my son, he yelled.
Have some compassion, Joab, have you no heart?
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Joe Ab took the king by the collar and pushed
him ah. David pushed back, landing a blow on Joab's jaw.
Joab tackled him and pinned him to the wall again,
this time slamming him against the stone. Listen to me,
joe Abb yelled.
Speaker 9 (10:02):
I have served you for years, and I have earned
the right to speak.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
David tried to break free again, but Joe Abb was
intent on getting his point across. He drove his arm
into David's neck and yelled, you will.
Speaker 9 (10:15):
Lose far more than your son if you decide to
remain here weeping.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Joe Ab released David and then pointed out the window.
Speaker 9 (10:22):
Come look and see what I see.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
David was considering striking Joe Abb, but instead looked outside.
Thousands of men were sitting outside the gate, nursing wounds
and enjoying their first meal in days. Joe Ab spoke
close to David's face, continuing to.
Speaker 9 (10:39):
Yell, today you have covered them all in shame. They
marched out to save your life. They fought for you,
your wives, and your children. You have not come out
to greet them, nor have you prepared anything for them
as a reward. You have made it clear that your
commander's and servants me nothing to you.
Speaker 5 (10:56):
Of course I care, David yelled, I wanted to ruch
with them, but you wouldn't let me because we were
trying to save you.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Joe Ab retorted, and we succeeded.
Speaker 9 (11:07):
But you haven't noticed, have you, David?
Speaker 2 (11:10):
No, do you know why Joe Ab walked closer to
David and maintain his aggressive demeanor. He pointed his finger
at David's chest and said.
Speaker 9 (11:18):
Because you love those who hate you, David, you long
for their acceptance and show too much mercy. You did
it with Zaul, and you did the same with Absalom.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
There was a long pause, and joe AB's tough veneer
began to break. There was a crack in his voice,
and David could see he was holding back tears.
Speaker 9 (11:38):
My King, you mourn as if you wished Absalom were
alive and we were dead.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
David was speechless. Joe AB's words cut him deeply. Joeb
coughed and composed himself. He stood up straight and said.
Speaker 9 (11:54):
Arise, my king, go out and speak kind words to
the men who laid it all on the line for you.
I swear by the Lord. If you do not go,
not a man will stay with you.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Joab rubbed his sword jaw and left the room. David
was left standing there, cut to the heart by Joab's words.
The men were outside, laughing through the pain of broken
bones and flesh wounds. They sat in the dust, content
to enjoy one another's company until given orders. Then the
king arose from his room and stepped out into the courtyard.
(12:28):
The men all stood at attention. He smiled and lifted
up his hands and praised to God. The rest of
them cheered, and David embraced them. He thanked them for
their sacrifice and praised them for their bravery. King David,
the Shepherd of Israel and commander of his armies, had returned.
The king made peace with the elders of Judah and Israel,
(12:51):
and returned with an agenda of peace. The people repented
for their confused devotion to Absalom and once again embraced
their king as God chosen and anointed. He pardoned those
who did him wrong, and forgave those who sought to
destroy him. Even Shimei, the man who threw dung at
him and cursed him, was pardoned and forgiven for all
(13:12):
the things Joab had said. He got one thing wrong.
David would continue to show mercy to those who hated him.
He would continue to extend grace to those who scorned him.
Why because he served a merciful and gracious God. Who
was he to deny them what God had freely given
him again and again. Yet not all was at peace
(13:34):
within the borders of Israel, a bitter and contentious spirit
was growing. The night sky was covered by dark clouds.
The air was hot and humid, and most people had
retreated early into their homes to escape the grossness of
the air. However, there was a man who was not
sleeping that night. In the middle of a courtyard in
(13:54):
Jerusalem Sheba, a Benjamite, conspired against the king. He stood
on a platform dimly lit by torchlight. He was a
tall and lean man, clearly hardened from years of battle.
His long legs paced back and forth on the platform
as he spoke to the people below. There will be
no riches for us to inherit under King David, he
(14:17):
said to them. His voice was resonating like the roar
of a lion, yet smooth, like the gentle hiss of
a snake. Absolute proof to us that his throne is fragile,
his rule is weak, and we have no future under him.
He spoke to the lonely and the marginalized. In the
weeks leading up to this moment, there had been growing
division among Judah and the rest of Israel. While the
(14:39):
region of Judath thrived under King David, the rest of
the tribes found themselves struggling in economic uncertainty. The people
of Israel had felt the pain of an unstable rule
since the war against Ammon. They believed it was time
for a new king, and Sheba took advantage of their restlessness.
He stirred up the crowds to chant, we have no
(15:00):
inheritance in David. He shouted, he favors Judah. Maybe he
should go back to just being their key. Let us
find our own way, let us fight. The men of
Israel gathered around Sheba. As the weeks passed, his message
of insurrection grew. Hundreds turned into thousands, and David's name
became a curse to many. The mocking of the multitude multiplied. However,
(15:25):
Judah remained steadfast and loyal to their king. David did
not take the stirring of Sheba lightly. He needed to
put an end to it before the nation became too
divided to recover. He gathered his loyal men and the
elders of Judah together to discuss Sheba. Missing from the
group was Joe app, whom David did not invite to
the table. After their fight, David had decided to look
(15:49):
elsewhere for leadership over his army. He leaned over the
war table and shook his head. What are we hearing,
he asked his advisers.
Speaker 10 (15:58):
The nation has split in two once again. Amasa said,
the economic repercussions of Absalom's coup have been hard to
recover from, and the people blame you.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
Amasa was once loyal to Absalom, but had since been
reconciled with David. However, there was still a lingering distrust
between him and the others. Abieshi was also there. He
lifted his voice and said.
Speaker 8 (16:21):
My King, we need to end this swiftly. Absalom was
self serving and ambitious. He was calculated, but easy to predict.
This man Sheba is chaotic, unpredictable, and has no clear
desire to be king. He is dangerous.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
David nodded, his brow was furrowed, and his lips were pursed.
He prayed to the Lord for wisdom in his mind,
seeking answers to such a complicated problem. The men of
Judah have remained loyal, he said. They outnumber the rebels
of Israel greatly. We need them here to quench this rebellion.
David gesture to Amasa, Amasa, will you gather the men
(17:01):
of Judah as their commander. Abishi turned his head and shock,
my king, what of job? David peered over at Abishai
and shook his head. Do not speak to me of joeeb,
he said plainly. He turned again to Amasa and said,
can I count on you? The young commander bowed his
head and smiled.
Speaker 10 (17:21):
I will not let you down, my king.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
So Amasa left to gather the men of Judah. It
was his duty to organize the ranks of Judah's men,
form a march, and set up a garrison outside Jerusalem.
David needed the men present to lead them into battle,
and Amasa's job was of great importance. However, three days
passed and Amasa had failed to gather the men. He
(17:44):
showed no urgency, leadership, or ability to mobilize. In crisis,
David waited for the men of Judah to arrive at
the gates of Jerusalem. However, there was no one to
be seen. Finally, he called for Abishi to enter his
war room. Abeshi entered and sat down before David. The
king sighed and rubbed his temples.
Speaker 5 (18:04):
Abishai, I once again need to call on your faithfulness.
You are a good friend and an excellent warrior. Abessh
I nodded and smiled. David stood up and pointed to
a map. His finger slid from Jerusalem to beth Makhah.
I have been given word that Sheba has mobilized a
(18:25):
great number of men to the region of Beth Makah.
It is believed that he may be creating a stronghold
in one of the smaller towns. Abitshi looked at the map.
Beth Makhan was a poor region with rich history, No
doubt she besought as an opportunity to easily take advantage
of the people there. What would you have me do, Lord,
(18:46):
he asked politely, still slightly perturbed that his brother was
not there. The king folded his hands and paced the room.
A Massa has failed to gather the men of Judah
in time. I do not know where he he is,
or if he is even coming. I cannot wait any longer.
If Sheba continues, he can do more damage than Absolom.
(19:08):
Will you take the mighty men and pursue him. Ambishi
looked at the king and studied his face. He was
clearly in conflict with himself. David knew that he should
assign this to joe Ab, but there was something that
held him back. As David grew older, Abeshi could see
the cracks and david seemingly perfect character. He was a
(19:30):
man who struggled with abandonment and deep wounds caused by
his own father and his father in laws.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Aul. The mythical legend of the giant Slayer was slowly
fading into history, and now ambish I could see that
before him was just a man, a good man, a
noble man, but still just a man. Abishin drew a
deep breath and nodded, of course.
Speaker 8 (19:52):
I will, my King. I will pursue Sheba while you
remain here to study the economic fallout from all this.
The elders need you to. He helped them move forward.
While you deal with the politics, I shall deal with Sheba.
David was relieved at Abishai's answer. As he left, David
stopped him, saying, Abishai, if Joe ab desires to march
(20:14):
with you, I would very much appreciate his skill. Abishi
smiled and bowed. Then he left to assemble the Mighty Men.
They gathered immediately, ready to pursue Sheba with all their might.
Even though the Mighty Men were growing older and the
youthful endurance they once possessed was waning. They were still
to be feared. Every surrounding nation knew that David's mighty
(20:38):
men were not to be trifled with, and Sheba would
feel their wrath fall down like heavy rain. Sheba stormed
through the nation like a violent wildfire, consuming all in
his wake. His voice resonated with every person he spoke to,
stirring them up to anger and discontentment. He took advantage
(20:59):
of the hurt, the poor, and the dispossessed. Instead of
pointing to the hope of God, he called for uprising
and chaos. Everywhere he went he gathered more followers. They
followed him in hopes for a better future. But Sheiba
had not thought that far. All he wanted to do
was beheard and have their attention. He had it, and
(21:21):
he had no idea what to do with it. Without
the ranks of Judah, Sheba's army was small and insufficient. However,
he had the sway of the masses on his side.
They were under his spell, and his words corrupted them
like a slow working poison.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
We shall build a new Israel, one of no poverty,
war or corruption. A new Israel built by the people.
His message resonated, and they followed him throughout the region.
A messenger from Jerusalem found Sheba and his followers.
Speaker 8 (21:55):
They are coming, he shouted, run for your lives, the
mighty men are coming.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Siba turned around with a grave expression. Who is coming?
He asked in a hushed voice. The messenger answered, saying.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
The King has sent Aba Shai and the mighty men
of David to pursue you.
Speaker 8 (22:11):
Shehiba, They are only a day's journey away.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
What are you going to do?
Speaker 10 (22:16):
Will you fight them?
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Shiba knew it would be utter foolishness to fight them.
He had no army, he had no plan. His role
was to stir the people up, get them angry, and
bask in the wave of glory they created for him.
He turned to the people and raised his hands to
the nearest city.
Speaker 8 (22:34):
There we shall prepare for David's hunting dogs.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
The people began to murmur amongst themselves. The news about
David's mighty men caused a great deal of consideration among them.
They began to question what they were doing, and began
to realize Sheba may not know what he was doing.
Sheba and the rebels marched to the city of Abel.
There he established himself as governor. His followers bullied people
(23:00):
out of their home so they could sleep for the night,
and Sheba called for a great feast to be made
in his name. The elders of Abel were not sure
how to react to Sheba's presence. He came with a
great deal of people, and they did not desire to fight. However,
he was not a welcomed presence in their city. As
Sheba dined on stolen meat, bread, and wine, the elders
(23:23):
convene in a secret place. Among them was a woman,
a wise sage of the city. She led the discussion
against Sheba, strategizing on how to get rid of him.
Speaker 7 (23:33):
Listen to me, brothers, she said, the time may come
when David's mighty men come knocking at our gates. We
must decide now if we are going to help.
Speaker 10 (23:42):
Them, not if it costs us our lives.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Another elder declared.
Speaker 10 (23:48):
Sheba has his dagger at our throats. One false move
and we may be taken out.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
The others mumbled and nodded in agreement. They were caught
in a difficult situation and were not sure on how
to proceed. They felt like hostages in their own city.
As they discussed, there was a pounding at the door.
The elders looked up, then at one another. They had
no time to act before Sheba and his guards kicked
(24:15):
down the door. Truly, the city of Abe was in
a grave situation. The mighty men of David were camped
out in Gibeon. They remained there under the covering of
a large stone. Its massive frame blocked out of the
sun and protected them from the harshness of midday. The
servants of the king who followed him in exile were
(24:37):
also there, the Cherathites and the Pelethites. They were a
faithful bunch, filled with courage and devotion to their king.
All together they were perfectly capable of going after Sheba.
Abeshi and Joab were confident they could find Sheba by
the week's end and destroy him before the rebellion spread
any further. Knight approached, and the two of them met
(24:59):
under them. Together, they sat by the fire, stoking it
and strategizing for the conflict ahead.
Speaker 8 (25:06):
We must expect that Sheba has men willing to fight,
Abishi said, some trained soldiers, others willing civilians.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Joe Ab affirmed, Abishi.
Speaker 9 (25:15):
We want as little bloodshed as possible. If we are
to keep our nation intact, we must not kill too
many of our countrymen.
Speaker 8 (25:23):
Finding Sheba and killing him first is our best option
to keep the peace.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Abishi added, wherever he.
Speaker 8 (25:29):
Is hiding, I doubt he will come out and fight
us himself.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Joe Ab nodded, and the two of them continued to
discuss the best way to proceed. The next morning, the
two brothers awoke to the sound of marching. They ran
out of their tents and saw the armies of Judah
approaching from the south. In front of them was a Massa,
smiling with his arms stretched out in joy. Joe Ab
(25:53):
was not amused. The man who took my job, he muttered,
Amasa had been weeks late in gathering the armies of Judah.
He proved to be incompetent when it came to leading,
or worse, perhaps he was failing on purpose. Joab looked
at him with skeptical eyes. He did not trust him
and saw his incompetence as a threat to Israel. If
(26:15):
he is in charge, we may perish, Joab sent to Abishi.
Abhishik knew the look in his brother's eyes. Usually he
was the voice of reason and caution in Joab's life. However,
this time he did not feel the need to hold
his brother back. Do what pleases you, brother, I will
not stop you. Joeab smirked and stepped forward to go
(26:37):
meet Amassa. Joab was wearing a soldier's uniform, signifying his
demotion from commander. It amused a Massa to see Joab
humbled in such a way.
Speaker 10 (26:48):
Ah the Mighty Joab, He jested, what a pleasant surprise
to see you here. I did not know if David
would allow you to fight for him.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Joeab feigned a smile and said, a well with you,
my brother.
Speaker 9 (27:01):
It took you a long time to get here.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
We thought you were dead. A Massa's smile left him.
Joe Ab laughed and came close to him.
Speaker 9 (27:09):
Come here, Amasa, greet me as an ally. We fight
for the same king.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
A Massa quickly scanned joe app to see if he
had a sword. He did not. He let down his
guard and Joab grabbed him by the beard and brought
a dagger out from his thigh. He drove it deep
into a Mass's stomach and twisted him.
Speaker 9 (27:27):
He leaned in and whispered, I have killed many men
for the safety of this nation. You are but another
number on the path to peace.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Joe Ab let go, and a Massa fell onto the floor.
His entrails poured out of his stomach. He was still alive.
Frantically trying to get them back in. He wailed in agony,
slowly losing blood and life. Joe Ab wiped the blood
off his blade, looked up to the army behind a
Massa and bowed. He left back into the ranks of
(27:59):
Abeshire without saying a word. Abeshi looked out at the
army of Judah and shrugged, then left back to lead
his men. Joab's armor bear stood over the corpse of
Amasa and raised his voice to Judah, saying.
Speaker 3 (28:13):
Whoever favors Joab, whoever is for King David, let him
follow Joab into battle.
Speaker 8 (28:20):
Let them fights for the nation.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
The ranks of Judah pressed onward and followed Joab. The
mighty men of David, the servants of the King, and
the armies of Judah all march to defend the integrity
of Israel. Many of the men passed by Amassa and
winced in disgust, until finally Some of them took his
body aside and covered it with a garment. Amasa's body
(28:43):
was left to rod in the desert between Gibeon and Abel.
His death was a sobering reminder of Joab's resolve. He
was brutally and violently devoted to David and the people
of Israel, and no one would stand in his way.
The men of David finally made it able. The city
had large walls surrounding every side of it. There was
(29:04):
only one entrance, and it was guarded by thousands of
Sheba's men. His devoted followers stood at attention with their
weapons protecting the city. Joab looked back at his men.
Speaker 5 (29:15):
Take out the guard first, he shouted.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
Joe Ab gave the signal, and the mighty men ran forward,
with the armies of Judah behind them. Like a rushing wind.
The Mighty Men blew down the followers of Sheila. They
tried to brace themselves. However, Joeab and the rest of
the warriors were far too quick. Abshi himself cut through
seven men to reach the edge of the wall. He
(29:39):
knocked four of them out with the blunt end of
his blade, then slashed the other three at the knees.
He did not want to kill them, for they were
his countrymen. There was only one man he desired to kill.
Joe Ab was not so worseful. His sword met the
throats of dusts. He was like a mother bear, ferociously
protecting her goods. His stamina was unmatched, and his brutality
(30:02):
was without equal. Whoever did not fall to the sword
fled back to their homes, and now Sheiva was alone
behind the walls of they The men stood at the
rampart of the walls, clamoring after Sheida, bring in the rams,
joe Ad commanded me. Dozens of men came in from
behind the hills that battering rams made from trigue in
(30:22):
the new days. They ran into the door, cracking it
slightly from the first blow. Joe Add signaled for them
to cease, and he yelled at whoever was listening on
the other side.
Speaker 5 (30:33):
I will burn this city.
Speaker 9 (30:36):
I will destroy it if I must bring out Sheba.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
There was no response, only silence. Very well, joe Ab said.
He nodded to the soldiers to continue battering the doors.
The blows shook the earth below. As the soldiers were
readying themselves to go again, Joeb heard a voice.
Speaker 7 (30:56):
Yell, listen, please stop.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Joeb looked and saw a woman calling out from the wall.
He sheathed his sword and approached the rampart. It was
the wise woman from the Council of Elders.
Speaker 7 (31:09):
Are you Joab?
Speaker 2 (31:11):
She asked, I am, who are you?
Speaker 7 (31:14):
Joeab replied, I am from the city, and I implore
you to cease this attack. We have done nothing wrong.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
The woman's voice was not frantic or angry. She was
calm and sure of herself. She intrigued Joeab, so he
nodded for her to continue speaking.
Speaker 7 (31:30):
They used to say in former times, before the days
of kings, let us ask for the Council of Abel.
Matters were settled here in the city, and we were
known as the most peaceful and faithful in Israel. Why
would you swallow up a rich heritage like ours by
destroying the city.
Speaker 9 (31:49):
Joeb could not help but chuckle, you think I want
to destroy the city, Far be it from me to
destroy anything. I've not come to swallow you up in fire.
I have come for one reason and one reason alone. Sheba,
he has lifted his hand against the king. Give him up,
and we will withdraw from the city.
Speaker 7 (32:06):
Do I have your word. That is true.
Speaker 9 (32:08):
She asked, my very word, bring me Sheba and we
leave in peace.
Speaker 7 (32:14):
Then I will ensure his head is thrown over.
Speaker 2 (32:16):
The wall, she said nervously. Joab once again could not
help but chuckle. She seems so sure of herself. However,
Sheba would not go quietly. Joab gestured for his men
to cease their attack of the wall. They waited, looking
for any sign from the city that Siba was dead.
Speaker 7 (32:37):
Joab has given his word.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
The wise woman said, in confidence.
Speaker 7 (32:41):
If we are able to kill Sheba, he retreats.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
The elders were gathered in a room discussing in secret
what to do with Sheba.
Speaker 7 (32:48):
We will have Joab come and cause an uproar in
our city. Sheba will retaliate and many lives will be lost.
Is that what you want?
Speaker 2 (32:57):
The elders shut their heads in shame. The woman put
a hand on her heart and.
Speaker 7 (33:01):
Said, I want to live in peace within my city.
Sheba has robbed our piece, so I say we take
it back.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
They were all in agreement. The elders called Sheba in
for a feast. They staged warriors at the sides of
the entrance with daggers slowly. They wanted Sheba approach. He
was as skittish as ever, but would not turn down
a hearty meal. His guards came in first, and the
warriors of the city took daggers to their ribs. In
(33:30):
one swift motion, the two warriors killed the guards. They
keeled over, and Sheba ran for his life. After him,
they yelled. He ran through the city streets, running away
from the warriors a babel. He knocked over carts from
the marketplace and burst open chicken coops to escape. He
did not care who he ran over to get away. Finally,
(33:53):
he scaled up a roof and began to run over
the rooftops one by one. He jumped from home to
home until finally reaching the top of the wall. He
ran on the top searching for a way out, but
joe Ab was waiting at the bottom for him. He
saw an opening leading to an exit on the other side.
Just as he was about to jump down, a spear
(34:15):
went whistling through the air, landing directly through his side.
Sheiba fell onto the stone floor of the wall and
writhed in pain. The warriors finally caught up to him,
took him by the head and chopped it off. Sheiba's
body bled over the edge of the wall, dripping down
onto the floor below. They held the head high in
the air for the whole city to see. Shiva was
(34:38):
dead and no rebel would be welcomed within the gates
of Abel. Joe Ab was on the other side. The
sun was descending over the wall, causing joe Ab to
squint when he heard a clamoring from within its borders. Finally,
something went flying through the air, blocking the sun for
a moment. All the men watched the object fall onto
the floor with a thud. Joab approached and turned the
(35:01):
object around with his foot. Shebassevered head was lying face
first in the sand. Joab laughed again, and a bowed
to the wall. Although he could not see her, he
knew the Wise woman was watching. She was and smirked
as Joab gave a sarcastic bow. Joab took out the
trumpet from his belts and blew it. The sound resonated
(35:24):
for over a mile, signaling for the men to return home.
Speaker 4 (35:30):
Lingering unrest was inevitable. Absalom shook up Israel, and it
comes as no surprise that there was political and social unrest.
It came at a bad time, because King David does
not seem up to the task of handling any of it.
The prelude takes us into the chambers of the king.
He has responded after the loss of his son. Even
(35:51):
though he was a treacherous psychopath, David is no different
from any father who loved his son. However, the grief
cripples him in a way unbecoming of a king. His
bereavement seems over the top, and there is political and
social strife being ignored. I am not a psychologist, but
many scholars, psychologists and theologians believe that David had suffered
(36:14):
from some sort of depression in his life. We may
have witnessed a particularly difficult bout for him. Either way,
David's kingdom was being neglected and it took the heavy
handedness of Joe Ab to snap him out of it.
Joeab was harsh physically and verbally with the king, but
we don't get the sense that he went too far.
(36:34):
But he made some really powerful but he made some
really forceful points. In the heat of the moment, Joe
ad pins David down and rebukes him. This is one
of the more compelling scenes of our series because We
are trying to save you, Joe, I retorted, and we succeeded.
But you haven't noticed, have you, David?
Speaker 2 (36:54):
No, do you know why?
Speaker 4 (36:56):
Joeab walked closer to David and maintained his aggressive demeanor.
He pointed his finger at David's chest and said, because
you love those who hate you, David, you long for
their acceptance and show too much mercy. You did it
with Saul, and you did it with Absolom. There was
a long pause, and Joe AB's tougher veneer began to break.
(37:16):
There was a crack in his voice, and David could
see he was holding back tears. My king, you mourn
as if you wish Absen were alive and we were dead.
Joe Ab reintroduced an older theme of this series, father wounds.
David's childhood was marked by neglect, and as a result,
he seemed to pine after the approval of those who
(37:38):
hated him. Joab hit a nerve with David, but it
was the right thing to do. His words got David
out of bed and among his men. However, Ab and
David's relationship suffers mainly because of David's pride. Sometimes compelling
truths are packaged and harsh tones. Jesus when faith was
(37:58):
some of the Pharisees and honey changes in the temple
use very aggressive tones and even flip tables. When Peter
was undermining the mission of God, Jesus said, get behind me, Satan.
Jesus was no stranger to conflict. The balance for us
is to know when to speak gently and when to
speak boldly. The coup of Absalom shook the economic foundation
(38:21):
of Israel. Judah, being the larger and more stable tribe,
was not as effected. However, the other tribes of Israel
were hurting. There was a large group of people who
felt dispossessed and angry, which was a perfect opportunity for
someone to take advantage. People like Sheba come around every
couple of years. Sheba is like many cult leaders, fringe
(38:43):
political activists and ideologues that loved to stir people up.
People like him fan the flames of anger but offer
no real solutions. They talk of a new world order
and salvation without any concrete ideas of convictions. Utopia is
always their fantasy, but corruption is always their reality. Sheba
(39:05):
is an agent of chaos. David knows he needs to
quench the uprising and put an end to Sheba. But
he can't march against him. He needs to stay and
deal with the elders, so he sends a Massa to
lead his army. He doesn't invite Joe ab though, because
of his petty grudge. A Massa's loyalty and competence are
in question, so it surprises Abashar to see him take command.
(39:29):
There's a moment in this episode where Abashah observes David
like we would as David grew older. Abajah could see
the cracks and David's seemingly perfect character. He was a
man who struggled with abandonment and deep wounds caused by
his own father and his father in laws.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
Aul.
Speaker 4 (39:47):
The mythical legend of the Giant Slayer was slowly fading
in the history, and now Abajar could see that before
him was just a man, a good man, a noble man,
but just a man. As our story is slowly drawing
to a close, our overarching theme becomes clearer. David is
not the ultimate hero. We've been reminding ourselves this whole series,
(40:10):
while also standing in awe of how awesome David is.
But now as he stacks more and more failures, we
get to fully realize David is just another sinner. The
myth of David is melting away, and we are left
with just a man. Joe Ab re enters the story
when it is time to march against Sheba. It seems
clear that a massa was either terribly incompetent or secretly rebelling.
(40:35):
Either way, it was putting Israel in danger. Joe it
takes matters into his own hands. He did it with Abner,
he did it with Absalom, and he did it with
the Massa. Joe Ab, the most fiercely loyal subject of David,
frequently disobeys him for the safety of Israel. We are
supposed to love and hate Joe Ab. Why because we
(40:56):
just can't tell if he's good or bad. He protects
Israel no, but he disobeys the king. He saves lives,
but he murders out of revenge. He loves David, but
he kills David's allies. Joe Ab seems to think David
needs him to make the tough decisions he is unwilling
to make.
Speaker 10 (41:12):
Is he wrong?
Speaker 4 (41:14):
Job is one of the most confusing characters in scripture.
We don't know whether to praise him or hate him,
and neither does David Sheba is eventually killed and the
people go back to normal. This is a perfect example
of fleeting ideologies and movements that have no momentum once
their charismatic leader is gone. Would it be the same
(41:34):
for David? What will his legacy be? At this point
in David's life, he isn't quite sure what the lasting
memory of him will be. In our next episode, we
will witness David wrestling with his own legacy and the
name he will leave behind. We are almost to the
end of our series and David has a few more
good fights in him. Let's finish well with episode twenty nine,
(41:58):
The Heart of a King. Thanks again for listening. For
more inspiring stories, daily prayers with them to last a lifetime,
go to pray dot com and to expand your heroes
in the Bible Journey, download the Heroes of the Faith
devotional at Tony Evans dot org. Forward slash Heroes, Write
a review and let us know how this podcast has
(42:20):
impacted your life. God bless
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