A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Volume 3 · Continuation of commentary on 2 Samuel · Chapter 20
2 Samuel, CHAP. XX.
THIS Chapter is a relation of Sheba's Rebellion, conſiſting of Two Parts; Firſt, its Riſe, and Secondly, its Ruine.
Remarks on the firſt part are,
Firſt, The Trumpet of this new Rebellion was a Son of Belial, Sheba the Son of Bichri, whom God by his providence ordered to be preſent when this Paroxiſm or hot fit of contention happened betwixt the Tribe of Judah and the Tribes of Iſrael as before.
N. B. The Devil (who loves to fiſh in troubled waters) ſtrikes in with this opportunity, as a fit hour of temptation for him, and excites this Belialiſt to blow a Trumpet and to ſound a Retreat in the ears of thoſe Iſraelites, ſaying [Seeing the Men of Judah ſay that we have no part in David, but they do Monopolize him to themſelves] let them have him, and let us chuſe another for our ſelves, hoping that they would chuſe him, becauſe he was a Benjamite a Kin to Saul, and ſuppos'd to be the chiefeſt Captain under Amaſa to Abſolom, v. 1.
The Second Remark is, This Belialiſt (ſo called) was for caſting off the Yoke of David (as the Hebrew word Belial ſignifies) and being grieved that the Kingdom was tranſlated from Saul's Houſe to David, he beſpatters David, calling him the Son of Jeſſe, a private perſon▪ ſo the Crown could not deſcend upon David by inheritance, and therefore (ſaith he) we are at liberty to chuſe a new King.
N. B. This opprobrious Title that Sheba gave David here, did ſavour of Saul (who had oft call'd him ſo in contempt) and of the old enmity: and poſſibly Sheba might aggravate to thoſe Iſraelites, that David had ſent Zadock and Abiathar to the Men of Judah that they might be perſwaded to fetch back the King, but he ſent them not to our Elders; therefore ſeeing he hath ſo ſlighted us, let us look to our own concerns, and let him look to his, v. 1.
The Third Remark is, Behold how great a flame of fire a little ſpark doth kindle, Jam. 3.5. when God gives way thereunto, Sheba's preſence and influence upon thoſe. Iſraelites, tho' caſual in it ſelf, and as to Men, yet was it ordered ſo by the Providence of God, who permitted the Devil to blow up this blaſt of rebellion for ſeveral Reaſons (ſaith Peter Martyr:) as
Firſt, For a further exerciſe of David's Faith and Patience.
Secondly, To purge out of David's Kingdom all factious and ſeditious Spirits.
Thirdly, To puniſh Sheba the Ringleader of thoſe Rebels.
Fourthly, To Animadvert David of his betraying Ʋriah, and of his ſparing Shimei, and (as ſome add) of his unjuſt dealing with his dear Mephiboſheth, &c. for theſe and other ſins of David God was pleaſed to correct him again with this new affliction, before he was well got out of the old; thus unda ſupervenit undae, one wave comes at the heels of another, and falls upon the neck of David, not ſuffering him a little breathing time as he complains, Pſal. 42.7. and 88.7. 2 Sam. 22.5.
The Third Remark is, the Inconſtancy of the common People here, Neutrum modo, mas modo Vulgus, the Vulgar Mobile are mighty fickle and mutable, Thoſe very Men, who, as they had of late rejected David, and rebelled againſt him with Abſalom; ſo juſt now they come out of an hot Contention with the Men of Judah, for their greateſt ſhare and intereſt in David; yet no ſooner do the ſame Men hear this Trumpet ſounded, but they take Fire and follow this Son of Belial, v. 2.
N. B. Thus the Type David, correſponds with the Antitye Chriſt, call'd the Son of David, unto whom the People ſang Hoſanna, and bleſſed him one day, Matth. 21.9. Yet the next day cried out [Crucifie Chriſt] Matth. 27.23. Well are they called the Mobile, they are ſo ſoon moved.
The Fourth Remark is, This Rebel Sheba turns off from David with the Diſcontented and Diſobliged Iſraelites, marcheth from Tribe to Tribe to ſtir them up to Rebellion, eſpecially where moſt of his Friends and Acquaintance were; as being moſt implacable againſt David, and thus he marched from place to place to gather more Forces, until he came to Abel, v. 14. A City in Naphtali's Tribe in the Northern Border of Canaan toward Syria, &c.
N. B. Note well; Thus the Seed of Sedition was ſown againſt David, who was now like a broken Bone newly ſet, before it had time enough to knit together: David was now not well ſettled on his Throne, nor were his Subjects ſettled in their Allegiance, when this new Rupture began; the ſecond part is the Suppreſſion of this new Sedition, &c.
Remarks upon it, are, (1.) The Time of it, namely when David was returned to his Houſe, which had been (in his Baniſhment) baſely defiled, and now at his return newly Dedicated, Pſal. 30. title. Thoſe ten Concubines contaminated by Abſalom, Chap. 16.22. He caſteth out of his Houſe, and commits them to cloſe Cuſtody to the Day of their Death, v. 3. Divorcing himſelf from them, and not ſuffering them to be ſeen, leſt the Memory of his Son's filthineſs ſhould be renewed thereby: We do not read, that theſe Concubines cried out (as God's Law requireth) Deut. 22.26, 27. when Abſalom raviſh'd them, and that in ſo publick a place, where the People might hear their out-cries, as well as ſee the Villany: They ought rather to have died, than have yielded to his Luſt; eſpecially in ſo open a manner: If it were done with their Conſent, they deſerved to be ſtoned, or burnt by the Law; but David takes it for granted, that they were forced, ſo remitts the Puniſhment, and only inflicts Impriſonment for Life, allowing them Victum & Amictum, &c. Food and Raiment.
The Second Remark is, the Inſtruments wherewith David (the principal Agent) ſuppreſſed this Sedition of Sheba. Thoſe are three, Firſt, Amaſa is made General in Joab's place, as David had promiſed him, Chap. 19.13. David commands him a ſhort time for a long task [to Aſſemble the Army of Judah within three days] v. 4. which David ſuppoſed he might quickly do, having been their General under Abſalom, but he tarried longer than the ſet time] v. 5. either through the Peoples backwardneſs, being already wearied with the late Civil War, or through his own Remiſsneſs, to render himſelf the more neceſſary to the King, and that his Profit of ſuch an high Employment might be greater by his Delays, having ſuch a Salary for every Days Service, as Chief General: But Peter Martyr ſaith, the Reaſon of his delay ſo long was, that the Men of Judah had a greater deſire to have Joab their General, than Amaſa, to whoſe ill Conduct they might poſſibly impute their unſucceſsfulneſs in the late Battle, &c. Amaſa would not ſignifie this to the King, leſt it might leſſen his own Authority. David knew delaies were dangerous, leſt Sheba having longer leiſure, might increaſe his number of Mutineers, and grow too ſtrong, and Amaſa's delay made David Jealous of his Fidelity, he being but a new reconciled Rebel under Abſalom; therefore for the quicker diſpatch, David appoints Abiſhai his ſecond General, to march away with the King's Guards, and all the Forces that were ready at Hand to purſue Sheba with all Expedition, v. 6. fearing that this Rebellion might prove worſe than that of Abſalom.
N. B. Thus the moſt Wiſe God, ſtill kept David's Body in Actions, his Mind in Paſſions, and his Graces in exerciſe with continued Troubles, that he might have little leiſure to return unto his former Luxury, as in Chap. 11.1, 2, &c. Though David was at this pinch of Diſtreſs, yet will he not employ Joab as General, leſt he ſhould encroach upon him and recover his place, ſo Abiſhai marcheth away with that Party which had formerly fought under General Joab, and Joab himſelf now marched as a Reformade only along with them, v. 7. Watching an opportunity to do what he deſigned.
N. B. How Joab became the third General and Inſtrument of ſuppreſſing Sheba's Sedition, is related, v. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, &c. Wherein Mark.
(1.) No ſooner was Abiſhai got to the Land-mark at Gibeon, but Amaſa returns with what Forces he had raiſed, appointing the reſt to repair to him at ſome certain Rendevouz, and coming to do his Honour to Joab, as to an old General (though now but a Reformade) Joab haſtens to meet him, now Joab had (as it were) taught his Sword to fall out of his wide Scabbard at ſuch a Poſture of bending his Body, that he might (taking it up into his hand again, as if but caſually fall'n out) therewith ſmite Amaſa, as he was embracing him, ſuſpecting no harm.
Mark (2.) Joab takes Amaſa by the Beard to kiſs h…, after the manner of thoſe Antient Times, when he reſolved to kill him, which he did by ſheathing his Sword in Amaſa's Bowels, inſtead of ſheathing it into his own Scabbard, out of which had cauſed it to ſlide.
N. B. Note well; And thus like the Venemous Serpent [Imter amplexandum interficit] He kills while he kiſſes and embraces. That revenge is moſt execrable which is taken with a fawning, flattering, and fleering Face.
Mark (3.) Joab had been ſo ſucceſsful in the like Butchery, acted upon Abner, for the ſame cauſe of coming into his Place of his Generalſhip, Chap. 2.23. and paſſed by without Puniſhment: This hardened Joab's Heart, to attempt this ſecond Villany, as is uſual with Sinners who have ſucceſs in Sin, and Impunity for Sin; So that David was in ſome ſort guilty of this murther of Amaſa, for his not puniſhing of Joab, all this while; from the eighth year of his Reign, Joab eſcapes ſcot-free till the thirty eighth year, when this deed was done.
Mark (4.) As God puniſh'd Joab for all his Butcheries by Solomon, though David would not do it: So God puniſh'd Amaſa by Joab here, both for his late Rebellion againſt his Uncle (being David's Siſters Son, ſo Couſin German to Joab) and for his Indulging his Couſin Abſalom to defile his Father's Concubines after ſo publick a manner, which He as Chief General of the Army ought not to have allowed, though David himſelf had both pardon'd and preferr'd him, &c.
Mark (5.) Now when Joab had thus baſely Butcher'd Amaſa, and removed him out of the way, He of himſelf reaſſumes his old Generalſhip, and marcheth with Abiſhai, and the Army as General after Sheba, the Soldiers willingly following their old chief Captain.
N. B. Note well; Some may wonder, that thoſe Souldiers which Amaſa brought along with him, did not fight here to revenge his Murther, but the wonder ceaſeth, if it be conſidered, partly how Amaſa did bring but few Men along with him, the reſt being to follow him by degrees, as the following Verſes do imply; and partly, how great Joab's Intereſt in the Military Men was, eſpecially in the King's Guards, who had no kindneſs for Amaſa, as General of the late Rebels and ſo baſely beaten, and therefore unfit for ſo high a truſt. This Authority Joab had in the Royal Army may ſomewhat excuſe David, for not puniſhing him for this foul Fact, no nor for ſo much as his not ſharply reproving him for it at his return with Sheba's Head.
The Third Remark is, Joab's purſuit after Sheba to Abel, where He beſieged him, with all the Circumſtances, v. 13, 14, 15, 16. Wherein Mark
(1.) The Men of Judah and of Iſrael rejoiced in their old General Joab (under whom they had fought many former Battels before the late Rebellion) and willingly followed him through all the Cities of Ephraim, Manaſſeh, Iſſachar, Zebulun and Naphtali, which lay between Jeruſalem and Abel. Though they had ſtood ſtill at a gaze to ſee that formidable ſight of Amaſa's wallowing in his own Blood, and in dreadful Agonies of Death, yet when Joab's Friend (that ſtood by him) proclaimed, That all who would have Joab to be General rather than ſuch a perfidious Rebel as Amaſa, muſt march forward, which they did, when Amaſa was removed, v. 11, 12, 13, 14.
Mark (2.) Yea many Men of Iſrael, not hearkening to Sheba's Solicitations, followed Joab, who marched after the Traitour as far as Abel, in the Northern border of Canaan, a confine to Syria, and called Maachah, Chap. 10.8. and there the Fox kennell'd himſelf, and thither Joab brought his Army to catch him, in order whereunto he beſieged the City for harbouring the Grand Rebel, v. 14, 15. Where (as Peter Martyr ſaith) Joab caſt great Stones out of his Engines, and put Fire to the Gates to burn them, yea and raiſed an High Bulwark, from the top of which he might beat off thoſe that defended their weak Wall. So that the City was almoſt taken.
The Fourth Remark is, the raiſing of the Siege, by the Interceſſion of a Wiſe Woman, a Citizen of that City, v. 16, to 20. Wherein Mark,
(1.) God oft delighteth to work great Matters by weak Means, as here by a Woman of the weaker Sex; yet a Wiſe Woman, and of Excellent Eloquence; ſhe ſays to Joab, The Men of Abel have been counted an Oracle for Wiſdom, to all the Countrey round about; inſomuch, that when any Controverſie aroſe among the Countreymen, it was their Cuſtom to reſort to this City, and referr all their Matters to our Citizens, Men well verſed in the Law, and they commonly ſtood to their Arbitration:
N. B. Therefore do not thou think, oh Joab, that our Wiſdom is turned into Folly: or her meaning according to the Marginal Reading, was thus: Our Wiſe Citizens, ſpake in the beginning of Sheba's coming, and of Joab's purſuing him, Surely they will ask of Abel, according to the Law of God, Deut. 20.10. Whether we will protect the Traitor, or deliver him up: If God required terms of Peace, firſt to be tendered to Strangers, how much more to a City of Iſrael. And ſo ſhe both modeſtly reproves Joab, for the neglect of that Duty, of offering Conditions of Peace, and obliges him to obſerve it.
Mark (2.) She adds, arguing, v. 19 We in this City are peaceable, and faithful to the King, having had no Hand in the late Rebellion of Abſalom; we were by our Scituation, ſo far remote from the Seat of that Civil War, that none can have the Confidence to accuſe us for being concerned in it: Beſide, 'tis a Mother City, having many Villages as Daughters depending on it for Defence as well as for Direction: Therefore O Joab, If thou deſtroy this City, thou deſtroies many in one, and our Deſtruction will alſo be an Injury to Iſrael, and to the God of Iſrael.
The Fifth Remark is, the Event of all, v. 20, to 28. Joab demands only Sheba's Head, ſhe Counſels the Citizens to grant it, the Traitor is made to Hop headleſs, and his Head made to hop over the Wall to Joab, who returns to Jeruſalem in Triumph, hath a new Confirmation of his Generalſhip as his Reward, for this good Service; and the Commonwealth flouriſhed again with Peace, and famous Governours, and David is reeſtabliſhed, &c.
N. B. Note well; (1.) Behold a wonderful Work of God: The King and Kingdom was in a way of being overturned by this wicked Man Sheba, yet both have an happy new reeſtabliſhment, by the Wiſdom of a weak Woman: 'Tis leſs Matter who is the Inſtrument, where God will be the principal Agent; many Men marvel, why this City, that ſo abounded with Wiſe Men, ſhould make a Weak Woman their Embaſſadreſs, with Propoſals of Peace, when their City was ſo near to be ſtormed, and how ſhe, whom (by her Sex) Nature had made timorous, durſt ſtand upon the Top of the Wall, where Joab's Engines were unceſſantly hurling great ſtones to batter it down, that his Army might enter and plunder the City. The Anſwer is, ſome ſuppoſe, ſhe was a Governeſs in the City, as Deborah was in Iſrael, Judg. 4.4. and Queen Athaliah, 2 King. 11.14. However, ſhe was known to be a Wiſe Woman, v. 22. Who could both wiſely and elegantly tell her Tale, and whom Joab would hear ſpeak ſooner than a Man, and doubtleſs a good Woman; whom God would and undoubtly did protect in that place of Danger.
N. B. Note well; (2.) This Wiſe Woman, having firſt wrought upon, and brought over General Joab the Beſieger, to yield unto an Accommodation, ſhe in her Wiſdom expoſtulates with her Citizens the beſieged, and (as Joſephus relateth) ſhe ſpake thus to them [Will ye utterly undo your ſelves, your Wives and Children, for the ſake of this one Wicked Fellow (Sheba) who is not only a Stranger to you All, but alſo a Rebel againſt good King David, from whom you all have received many Benefits? &c.] Moreover it is more than probable, that this Wiſe Woman did throughly underſtand the Sentiments of the City Senators, before ſhe came upon her Embaſſage; otherwiſe, Had ſhe not known before hand, their reſolve of not to run any riſque of ruining themſelves and their All for Sheba's ſake, ſhe would never have ſo readily replied to Joab, that Sheba's Head ſhall be thrown to him over the Wall, as ſhe promiſed, v. 21. Which ſhe might promiſe the more confidently, not only becauſe ſhe knew the Reſolution of her faithful Citizens to promote it; but alſo, becauſe ſhe obſerved how Sheba's own Souldiers were now ſtruck with a Pannick Fear, ſo would not protect him, nor hinder the project, Joab only deſired to have him delivered up: More was done for Peace than was deſired. The Traitor's Head was cut off, and caſt over the Wall, the Army departs without Plunder, &c.
N. B. Note well; (3.) This Hiſtory hath a Myſtery in it. Though many Allegories of the Antients, are but the frothy Exuberancy of wanton Brains, yet that of Dr. Hall here is excellent, ſaying [Sheba the Traitor is our Luſt, the City Abel is our Breaſt, God calls to us for the Traitor's Head, having no quarrel to our Perſons, but to our Sins: If we love the Head of our Luſts better than the Life of our Souls, we ſhall juſtly periſh in the Vengeance: We cannot be more willing to part with our Sins, than our merciful God is to withdraw his Judgments; as Joab did here. I add my own Alluſion, not incongruous to that of the Contemplative Doctor,] namely, Sheba the Son of Bichri, in Hebrew ſignifies [the …rſt Fruits of Captivity] reſembling out Original Concupiſcence in the faln Eſtate, which muſt be beheaded and mortified by the Spirit, Rom. 8.13. Before we can have Peace with God, and the Armies of his Judgments withdrawn from us.