God uses the skills of people to accomplish His purposes.

Session 10 Averted God uses the skills of people to accomplish His purposes. 2 SAMUEL 20:1-2,14-21 We are each gifted in different ways. Every person has gifts and abilities given to them by God. These gifts are typically given in seed form and we have to develop them through experience. However, the pressing question is not how we can recognize our capabilities, although that is an important issue. The greater question is, To what end? What is the ultimate purpose of our abilities? What is the purpose of the talents and skills we possess? Is the purpose different for everyone or the same? Could it be both? Explain. Date of My Bible Study: 91

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT 2 SAMUEL 20:1-26 The human heart is a breeding ground for discontentment. It does not take much in the majority of circumstances to fan into flames the embers of restlessness. Since the conflict between the tribes had not been resolved, conditions were ripe for another outbreak of rebellion. While David was back on the throne of Israel, the country was anything but united. David s insistence that his own kinsmen bring him back (2 Sam. 19:11-12) would later contribute to the anger of the northern tribes who had been the first to call for restoration (19:10). They accused the Judahites of kidnapping the king and despising those numbered among God s people (19:43), affirming their own share in David s kingship. These charges only served to inflame the already high tensions between the tribes in the north and those in the south. A secession attempt by a wicked man named Sheba sought to take advantage of the conflict between the factions in Israel. He specifically and exclusively appealed to the northern tribes. It was not so much an attempt to overthrow David as it was an effort to secede from his reign. David s first royal action was not marked by royal fanfare but a simple act of taking care of the ten concubines whom he had left behind previously to care for the royal palace. Yet David also understood the need for swift military action before the revolt for secession gained popular support. He called upon his new commander, Amasa, to assemble the troops, but Amasa delayed. The king took matters into his own hands and put Abishai in charge. (Presumably Joab, Abishai s brother, had been demoted because he took Absalom s life against David s orders.) It seems quite clear from the narrative of 2 Samuel 20:7-13 and the murder of Amasa that Joab was still the leader of the army of Israel and Judah as the pursuit of Sheba commenced. As you read 2 Samuel 20:1-26, look for the skills used by David, Joab, and the woman of Abel to resolve the situation. 92 Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide

EXPLORE THE TEXT DIVISION (2 SAM. 20:1-2) 1 Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted, We have no share in David, no part in Jesse s son! Every man to his tent, Israel! 2 So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. VERSE 1 There is such a thing as the right person at the right place at the right time. But sometimes it happens in an exact opposite fashion. When the tribes of Judah and Israel were arguing about David s return to Jerusalem, a wicked man, a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri [BIK righ], a Benjamite, happened to be there. He was of the same tribe as Saul, and there was definite hostility between the house of David and the house of Saul (2 Sam. 16:5-8). It is reasonable to assume that this factor played into his leadership of a revolt against David. While the trumpet was used to announce religious festivals of praise (Ps. 98:6), it was also used to call armies into battle (Judg. 3:27). Sheba attempted to rally the northern tribes to follow him into battle with Judah. Calling people to their tents was actually a proverbial expression or watchword of national insurrection. In denying any share or part in David, Sheba was denying and seeking to sever any relationship between David and the northern tribes. It was not an attempt to displace David per se but rather a declaration of independence from him. Of course, the latter was essentially a declaration of war. Eventually, these northern tribes would secede from the tribes of Judah and these same words would be spoken again (1 Kings 12:16). Sheba expressed no positive vision of what this new nation would embody or seek. His words were only negative in nature and void of any positive vision of a better future. Disgruntled people often only know what they don t want but not what they do want. The Lord God had provided for the nation through David (2 Sam. 19:9) but Sheba became the voice of those who questioned the good work of God through His anointed one. Session 10 : Averted 93

How does the past get in the way of the future? How can a person make sure that when a leader is questioned the concerns are legitimate and not based on a past bias? VERSE 2 After the non-judean tribes left, only David s own kin remained to escort him to the capital city. By completing that task, they demonstrated that they remained loyal to him. The exact number of the men of Israel who deserted David can only be estimated but it can be assumed that it was half of all the troops of the Northern tribes (2 Sam. 19:40). It was certainly no small matter. BIBLE SKILL: Use a Bible dictionary for context. Review articles on the Benjamites (tribe of Benjamin) in a Bible dictionary. Look for ways their past influenced their future. What lessons can be learned about the role one s past plays in their life? Why would it be important to understand our past? How does understanding the past give you insight into how a person may respond today? CIVIL WAR (2 SAM. 20:14-16) 14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites, who gathered together and followed him. 15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman called from the city, Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him. 94 Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide

VERSE 14 David took appropriate action to deal with the uprising of Sheba upon his return to Jerusalem. When Amasa delayed in mobilizing David s military forces, the king appointed Abishai to lead the pursuit of the rebel forces (v. 6). Sheba and his army had taken refuge in the city of Abel Beth Maakah [ay buhl beth MAY uh kuh]. It was located in the far northern reaches of the kingdom, indicating that Sheba felt the pressure to put distance between himself and armies of David. However, the king also felt pressure to put the uprising down swiftly. Some who joined Sheba s army were likely his own kinsmen of the Bichri, with Bikrites likely being an alternative name for them. While not directly stated in the text, it appears that the attempt to recruit large numbers of Israelites to join the uprising was not very successful. Having a position and having influence are not always the same thing. By this time, Joab was leading the army of David, an interesting development to say the least. While his brother Abishai was the appointed commander-in-chief, Joab appeared to be in charge. David s soldiers were called Joab s men even when they were under the command of Abishai (v. 7). Later, after Joab killed Amasa, the rallying cry for the troops was issued to whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David (v. 11). Subsequent events would continue to expose Joab as serving his own interests more than David s. The whole incident serves as a confirmation that having a position and having influence are not always the same thing. Joab may have lost his position but he obviously continued to have influence. Why does a position or office of leadership not always guarantee a high degree of influence? VERSE 15 Building a siege ramp against the outer wall of a city was normative in ancient warfare. The slope of the ramp allowed soldiers to scale and breach the high walls and to use a battering ram to damage Session 10 : Averted 95

those walls. This process took time and was costly, typically resulting in the loss of many lives. Both soldiers and citizens suffered during a time of siege. As with most sieges, this one appeared to be destined to become the cause of much bloodshed. VERSE 16 As the battle literally and metaphorically ramped up, a wise woman entered the story. She called out and requested to speak to Joab, appealing to the army to let the general know she wanted an audience with him. Simply getting close to the fighting to be heard took at least a measure of courage. Perhaps something about her demeanor indicated that she was a person worthy of a hearing. In times of crisis, many different opinions typically are expressed. Some are helpful while others are less so. No doubt there were many within the walls of the city who thought they knew what the best course of action would be. However, in dire situations, a sure word of counsel is needed. We need to consult God and seek His wisdom in times of crisis. Only God through His Word can provide the best path forward. How does a crisis bring out the best and worst advice? How can you tell the difference? WISDOM CONQUERS (2 SAM. 20:17-21) 17 He went toward her, and she asked, Are you Joab? I am, he answered. She said, Listen to what your servant has to say. I m listening, he said. 18 She continued, Long ago they used to say, Get your answer at Abel, and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord s inheritance? 20 Far be it from me! Joab replied, Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I ll withdraw from the city. The woman said to Joab, His head will be thrown to you from the wall. 96 Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide

VERSE 17 The wise woman of Abel first confirmed that she was in fact speaking to Joab, the man who had the greatest influence of the outcome of the battle. This was a prudent action on her part. She then asked him to hear her out, which he agreed to do. Her entire approach toward him, conciliatory and meticulous, was skillful and bore all the earmarks of wisdom. What is the relationship between wisdom and skill? What happens when a person only possesses skill and not wisdom? VERSES 18-19 She began by quoting a proverbial saying to get your answer at Abel, and added this was the way disputes could be resolved. The inhabitants of the town had a reputation for being wise. By repeating this saying, she suggested to Joab that he should listen to her words and advice because they had merit and value. In any conflict, a key factor is whether those involved are willing to truly listen to the other party. The unnamed woman identified herself as one of the peaceful and faithful in Israel. It can be assumed that she included her city in that company as well as herself. If this was true, then Abel probably was a center of wisdom and reconciliation. These two qualities are foundational to any dispute resolution process. Doing the things that make for peace and communicating truth are skills that typically bring resolution to a conflict. The next step in the woman s approach was to probe the intentions of Joab. What he was doing was obvious; the question was why he was doing it. She suggested two possibilities: (1) he sought the destruction of a nurturing and caring city in Israel or (2) he desired to capture or swallow up the Lord s inheritance, that is, the city of Abel. What she was doing has been described by some as the process of making thinking visible. It is communicating to others the mental steps that you went through to arrive at a decision or a conclusion. Helping others see how you came to your position can facilitate a possible solution. She was forcing Joab to rethink why he was doing what he was doing. Session 10 : Averted 97

How could tracing the mental process by which you came to a particular conclusion help resolve a conflict? VERSES 20-21 In response to the woman s question, Joab clarified his goal and motivation. He didn t initiate a siege of the city for any reason other than to capture Sheba and quell the uprising. To his credit, Joab entered into a conversation with the woman and didn t allow ego or arrogance to keep him from talking to her. Also, he demonstrated trust by even approaching her in such dangerous conditions. There is a time and a place to practice the art of compromise but never at the expense of core values and beliefs. In the end, wisdom won the day. The woman and Joab were able to reach a compromise that saved the city, though it would cost Sheba his life. Yet the usurper of the tribe of Benjamin earned this fate through his own actions and guilt. There is a time and a place to practice the art of compromise but never at the expense of core values and beliefs. The Scriptures give us more than adequate guidance so that we can know the difference between peripheral matters and inviolable articles of faith. What principles of effective communication did the woman demonstrate? What principles of communication did Joab demonstrate? KEY DOCTRINE: War and Peace In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ believers should do all in their power to put an end to war. 98 Explore the Bible Personal Study Guide

IN MY CONTEXT Sin leads to questioning God s provisions and leaders. The wisdom from God must be consulted when facing a crisis. Believers can skillfully negotiate with others to create mutually beneficial resolutions. Examine your life for sins that cause you to question God s provisions and His leaders. As God shows you these sins, confess them to Him and ask Him to replace them with His wisdom and character. Identify existing or potential conflicts within your family, church, or community. Pray for wisdom from God to help avert or defuse those conflicts. Read and memorize Psalm 34:10. As a group, discuss the principles or ground rules you should follow when looking for mutually beneficial solutions to conflicts? How can you use these group rules to defuse a conflict in your life? Prayer Needs Session 10 : Averted 99