Further Troubles in Israel

INTRODUCTION: Messes tend to beget more messes. That is why it seems to take so long to get things right after they have really been messed up. However, that is the case in David’s reign and that is often the case in our own lives. The best thing is to simply pay the price and do whatever is necessary to put things right.

1. THE REBELLION OF SHEBA (2 Samuel 20:1-7)
1. Sheba, the Benjamite, Leads a Rebellion (2 Samuel 20:1-2).
1. The man (2 Samuel 20:1)
1. A man of Belial
2. A Benjamite
2. His rebellion (2 Samuel 20:1-2)
1. He blows a trumpet (2 Samuel 20:1).
2. He denies any part in David (2 Samuel 20:1).
3. He gathers the men of Israel (2 Samuel 20:2).
4. Judah remains faithful to David (2 Samuel 20:2).
2. David Shuts His Concubines in a House (2 Samuel 20:3).
1. Absalom had gone in to them (2 Samuel 16:20-22).
2. David shuts them up.
3. They live in widowhood.
3. David Orders Amasa to Gather an Army (2 Samuel 20:4-5).
1. He is to assemble the men of Judah (2 Samuel 20:4).
2. He is to be ready within three days (2 Samuel 20:4).
3. He tarries longer than the set time (2 Samuel 20:5).
4. David Sends Abishai to Quell the Rebellion (2 Samuel 20:6-7).
1. The concern over Sheba (2 Samuel 20:6)
1. He can do more harm than Absalom.
2. He can obtain fenced cities.
2. Abishai is sent with servants of David (2 Samuel 20:6).
3. They leave immediately (2 Samuel 20:7).
2. THE MURDER OF AMASA (2 Samuel 20:8-13)
1. Joab Deceitfully Kills Amasa (2 Samuel 20:8-10).
1. They meet at Gibeon (2 Samuel 20:8).
2. Joabs sword falls from its sheath (2 Samuel 20:8).
3. Joab takes Amasas beard to kiss him (2 Samuel 20:9).
4. Joab smites Amasa under the fifth rib (2 Samuel 20:10).
5. Joab and Abishai pursue Sheba (2 Samuel 20:10).
2. A Man Stirs the People to Follow Joab (2 Samuel 20:11-13).
1. He stirs them to loyalty (2 Samuel 20:11).
2. He removes the obstacle (2 Samuel 20:12).
3. The people follow Joab (2 Samuel 20:13).
3. THE DEFEAT OF SHEBA (2 Samuel 20:14-22)
1. Joab Besieges Sheba in the City of Abel (2 Samuel 20:14-15).
1. Joab gathers more troops (2 Samuel 20:14).
2. Joab seeks to overthrow the wall of protection (2 Samuel 20:15).
2. A Wise Woman Delivers the Head of Sheba (2 Samuel 20:16-22; Proverbs 14:1).
1. The wise woman calls for Joab to come near (2 Samuel 20:16).
2. The wise woman questions Joab and his intentions (2 Samuel 20:17-19).
3. Joab explains his desire to capture Sheba (2 Samuel 20:20-21).
4. The wise woman offers and delivers Shebas head (2 Samuel 20:21-22).
4. THE OFFICERS OF DAVID (2 Samuel 20:23-26)
1. Officers of the Army (2 Samuel 20:23)
1. Joab is over all the host of Israel.
2. Benaiah is over the Cherethites and Pelethites.
2. Officers of the Government (2 Samuel 20:24-26)
1. Adoram is over the tribute (2 Samuel 20:24).
2. Jehoshaphat is the recorder (2 Samuel 20:24).
3. Sheva is the scribe (2 Samuel 20:25).
4. Zadok and Abiathar are the priests (2 Samuel 20:25).
5. Ira is a chief ruler about David (2 Samuel 20:26).
5. THE AVENGING OF THE GIBEONITES (2 Samuel 21:1-14)
1. God Defends the Cause of the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:1-2).
1. The Lord sends a famine in defense of the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:1).
2. David sends for the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:2).
2. The Gibeonites Demand Seven Sons of Saul (2 Samuel 21:3-9).
1. Davids asks the Gibeonites how he can make things right (2 Samuel 21:3).
2. The Gibeonites ask for seven sons of Saul (2 Samuel 21:4-6).
3. David delivers the sons (2 Samuel 21:7-8).
1. He spares Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 21:7).
2. He delivers two sons of Rizpah (2 Samuel 21:8).
3. He delivers five sons of Michal (2 Samuel 21:8).
4. The seven sons are put to death by the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:9).
3. Rizpah Mourns the Loss of Her Sons (2 Samuel 21:10-11).
1. She mourns night and day (2 Samuel 21:10).
2. David learns of the mourning of Rizpah (2 Samuel 21:11).
4. David Buries the Bones of the Dead (2 Samuel 21:12-14).
1. He gathers the bones of Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 21:12).
2. He gathers the bones of the sons of Saul that were hanged (2 Samuel 21:13).
3. The bones are buried in the sepulchre of Kish (2 Samuel 21:14).
4. God is intreated for the land (2 Samuel 21:14).
6. THE SONS OF THE GIANT (2 Samuel 21:15-22)
1. Ishbibenob (2 Samuel 21:15-17)
1. David waxes faint in the battle with the Philistines (2 Samuel 21:15).
2. Ishbibenob, a son of the giant, desires to slay David (2 Samuel 21:16).
3. Abishai smites Ishbibenob and kills him (2 Samuel 21:17).
2. Other Sons (2 Samuel 21:18-22)
1. The death of Saph (2 Samuel 21:18)
2. The death of Lahmi (2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 20:5)
3. The death of an unnamed man (2 Samuel 21:20-21).

CONCLUSION: Absalom is dead, but the battles continue. First, David and his men put to rest the rebellion led by Sheba. David atones for the wrongs of Saul with the Gibeonites, and he finishes off the brothers of Goliath.