Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 19:8-21:22
My selection: II Samuel 19:43-20:2
And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and in David also we have more than you. Why then did you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, “ We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!” 2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
My reflections: The political atmosphere in Israel was completely unstable. Absalom had won a huge following from all the tribes but he was gone. There was a willingness to restore David to the throne among the 11 tribes, but Judah was reticent to do so. David, seeking to consolidate his support, convinced the leaders of Judah, as his own tribe, to lead the way in restoring his kingdom, but then the 11 tribes took offense at Judah for leaving them out of the celebration. Sheba from the tribe of Benjamin took advantage of this general feeling of alienation to mount yet another attempt to overthrow David.
The rebellion of Sheba was short-lived, but it shows the political instability that existed in the united kingdom. Indeed, David’s grandson, Rehoboam, would see that instability result in a permanent division from which the kingdom would never recover.
Human pride and touchiness can lead to great disaster. Sheba was an astute, but evil, leader who used the jealousy of the 11 tribes to leverage support for his rebellion.
My challenge: Are you aware of how seemingly small, “respectable” sins, like pride, can lead to great consequences? Are you vigilant in not allowing bitterness, resentment, and jealousy to take hold of your heart?
Walk in the light today. Do not allow Satan a foothold in your heart. Be quick to confess and forsake sin as the Holy Spirit shows it to you.
1 John 1:7 (ESV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:39
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