2 Samuel 20
Our focus is The Book of Second Samuel Chapter 20 where the REBELLION of SHEBA, the Benjamite as well as the consequences of this DISLOYALTY were chronicled.
THEME:
“The Importance of Loyalty”
Background
After surviving the conspiracy of Absalom, King David again was confronted with the Rebellion of SHEBA!
People like SHEBA are friendly when life is rosy then abandon loved ones in the days of adversity or worse decamp to the corner of the Enemy!
This is DISLOYALTY and BETRAYAL
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
2 Samuel 20: 2
Luke 22:47-48
Matthew 26:24
Proverbs 17:17
Matthew 5:37
2 Samuel 20:14-22
Ecclesiastes 9:18
Proverbs 4:7
1 Corinthians 4:2
Psalms 144:1-2
Key Scripture
2 Samuel 20:2
“So every man of Israel deserted David, and followed SHEBA the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah, from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem, remained LOYAL to their king”
Reflection 1
ARE YOU LOYAL?
(Proverbs17:17)
Folks, Let us ponder on this Fundamental Question
– ARE YOU LOYAL?
– ARE MY LOYAL?
The WORLD RECORD for BETRAYAL belongs to “Brother” Judas Ischarot!!
According to Luke 22:47-48, “The man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve (Disciples), was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
My friends, the consequences of DISLOYALTY/ BETRAYAL are terrible!
Famously, The Lord Jesus declared “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but WOE to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!
It would have been good for that man if he had not been born”
(Matthew 26:24)
Not surprising, the end of Judas was an EPIC TRAGEDY.
The Standard in the Kingdom of God remains “A friend loves at ALL TIMES, and a brother is born for ADVERSITY”
(Proverbs 17:17)
DO NOT FORGET
“Let your ‘YES’ be ‘YES’ and your ‘NO’, ‘NO’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37)
Reflection 2
A ‘Weapon’ called Wisdom”
(Ecclesiastes 9:18)
According to the Book of 2 Sam.20:14-22, SHEBA (the rebel) escaped to the City of Abel of Beth Maachah with Joab and the Army in pursuit.
Disaster to the City of Abel was averted by the INTERVENTION of a “WISE WOMAN”
2 Samuel 20:22 recorded that “the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of SHEBA the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab” (2 Sam 20:22)
Lessons
1.The Woman saved the City without a BATTLE !
Surely,”wisdom is better than weapons of war”
(Ecclesiastes 9:18)
2. It is NOT advisable to “Borrow Fights”- The City of Abel was not at War with King David, hence, expedient to avoid a needless battle
3. It is honourable to honour agreements – The Army of Joab no longer attacked the City of ABEL, since SHEBA has been executed.
Indeed, “Wisdom is the PrincipalThing”
(Proverbs 4:7)
Prayer (1 Cor. 4:2)
Father grant me the GRACE to be DEPENDABLE & LOYAL AS A FAITHFUL STEWARD In Jesus Name. Amen.
Prayer (Psalms 144:1)
Father, give me the capacity to triumph in the battles of life with DIVINE WISDOM, WORTHY ALLIANCES & YOUR MARVELOUS HELP In Jesus Name. Amen.
