Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 19-21.
Sheba, leader of a rebellion against David, was pursued and trapped by Joab in the city of Beth-maacah. In an effort to capture this man, Joab besieged the city and his men began attacking the wall in order to topple it (2 Samuel 20:14-15). As this was happening, a wise woman came out to reason with Joab in order to spare the city.
“‘I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?’ Joab replied, ‘Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy! Such is not the case. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against King David. Only hand him over, and I will depart from the city.’ And the woman said to Joab, ‘Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.’
“Then the woman wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 20:19-22).
There are some principles of justice found in this account:
- It is not fair for people to be punished for another’s sin. The woman made this argument. Joab agreed with her. This principle is also found in Ezekiel – “The person who sins will die” (Ezekiel 18:20).
- Rebellion cannot be tolerated. Samuel told Saul, “For rebellion is as the sin of divination [witchcraft, KJV], and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23). Samuel explained that Saul’s rebellious actions caused God to reject him as king. The sin of rebellion was why Sheba deserved punishment and why the people of Beth-maacah were to give him up.
- Those who receive the wicked one become guilty themselves. John wrote that one who receives a man who progressed beyond God’s revealed will (a form of rebellion) “participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 11).
It would not be fair for many to be condemned because of one man’s sin. However, tolerating and accepting that one man’s sin is a sin in itself, thus making those who accept him also guilty and worthy of condemnation. This is why the head of Sheba had to be “thrown to [Joab] over the wall” (2 Samuel 20:21) and why Christians are told, “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves” (1 Corinthians 5:13).
Tomorrow’s reading: Psalm 5, 38, 41-42
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
