2 Samuel 20
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Samuel 20
NJB (MT versing) Sheba's Revolt The Rebellion of Sheba New Revolt in Israel; Joab Murders Amasa, Regains His Position and Quells the Revolt Sheba's Rebellion Sheba's Revolt 20:1-2 (1b) 20:1-2 (1b) 20:1-2 (1b) 20:1-2 20:1 (1b) 20:2 20:3 20:3 20:3 20:3 20:3 Assassination of Amasa 20:4-9 20:4-13 20:4-10a 20:4-10a 20:4-10 Amasa Murdered 20:10-12 20:10b-13 20:10b-13 Revolt Put Down 20:11-13 20:13 End of the Revolt 20:14-22 20:14-15 20:14-22 20:14-17a 20:14-22 20:16-22 20:17b 20:17c 20:17d 20:18-19 20:20-21a 20:21b-22 David's Government Officers A List of David's Officials David's Officials David's Principal Officers 20:23-26 20:23-26 20:23-26 20:23-26 20:23-26 Etc.
2 Samuel 20:1-2
20:1 "a worthless fellow" The NOUN (BDB 116) is a compound of "not" and "worth," "use," "profit." BDB translates it as "worthless," "good-for-nothing," or "base fellow." It is used several times in Samuel. worthless women ‒ 1 Sam. 1:16 worthless men ‒ 1 Sam. 2:12; 10:27 worthless man (Nabal) ‒ 1 Sam. 25:17,25; 2 Sam. 16:7; 20:1 the wicked and worthless men ‒ 1 Sam. 30:22 destruction (NASB) but possibly a title for evil (Belial, as later in the NT; see full note at 2 Cor. 6:15) ‒ 2 Sam. 22:5 the worthless ‒ 2 Sam. 23:6 Josephus, Antiq. 7.11.6, adds "a certain wicked man, who took a pleasure in seditious practices." ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, JPSOA, Peshitta "Bichri" "Bikri" "Bochori" This was a clan or family of the tribe of Benjamin that traces its lineage back to "Becher" (cf. Gen. 49:21; 1 Chr. 7:6,8). This name has the DEFINITE ARTICLE in v. 14, therefore, refers to a clan/family, not just a person. However, the surprise is that a clan of Benjamin had a large city in the tribal area of Dan, in the far north of Canaan. ▣ "happened to be there" This apparently refers to David crossing the Jordan on his way back to Jerusalem (i.e., 2 Sam. 19:40-43 and 20:2). ▣ "a Benjamite" This is an abbreviated form found also in 1 Sam. 9:1,4; here; and Esther 2:5. Why it was used is uncertain. ▣ "he blew the trumpet" This was a way to communicate (cf. v. 22). SPECIAL TOPIC: HORNS USED BY ISRAEL ▣ "portion" From the next parallel line, it is obvious "portion" equals "inheritance." Israel felt slighted by Judah (2 Sam. 19:40-43). Judah apparently was very harsh with them (esp. v. 43). ▣ "Every man to his tents, O Israel!" This is an idiom (anachronism) from the exodus and wandering period. It means "to your homes." See note at 2 Sam. 18:17. In later periods it has a distinct military connotation (cf. Jdgs. 7:8; 20:8; 1 Sam. 4:10; 13:2; 2 Kgs. 13:5; see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 300-302). I often use the textual notes in Rotherham's Emphasized Bible; it mentions "We are told in the Mechiltha, which contains the earliest record on this subject, that this is not the original reading, but that it exhibits an alteration of the Sopherim. Originally the text read, 'every one to his gods, O Israel.' . .The ancient authorities tell us the expression in question was also altered to the "same phrase in 1 Kings xii. 16 and 2 Chron. x. 16, which record a similar event," p. 343. 20:2 No sooner than David crosses the Jordan, another revolt involving Saul's tribe breaks out. The other tribes were also hurt by Judah's actions/words and joined the rebellion.
2 Samuel 20:3
20:3 This verse relates to the ten concubines that David had left in Jerusalem when he fled (2 Sam. 15:16), which Absalom had publicly (i.e., on the roof of the palace) had sex with (2 Sam. 16:21-22). They were still royal wives but they had been compromised. David cared for them but never was involved with them again (i.e., "living as widows"). The Aramaic Targums translates this as "widows of a living man." It is tragic to me how women are treated in Patriarchal cultures, ancient and modern. I so long for the mutuality of Genesis 1. It has come in Christ (cf. Gal. 3:26-29)! See Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy, IVP, ISBN 0-8308-2834-6.
2 Samuel 20:4-9
20:4-5 This is a telling account of Amasa's lack of military readiness. There is some uncertainty about the VERB "delayed" (BDB 29, KB 35) in v. 5. MT has a VERB stem that means "tarry" or "hinder" (Piel) the Masoretic scholars (Qere) suggested the same root consonants but different VERB stem (BDB 29, KB 35), "delay," "tarry" (Niphal) 20:6 David realized that he could not trust Amasa but he was reluctant to summon Joab, so he gave Joab's brother, Abishai, the task of pursuing the rebels, knowing that Joab would take over the cause! ▣ David realized the real danger of another rebellion involving Saul's tribe uniting with all Israel. The tension between Judah and the other tribes was intensifying! ▣ "and escape from our sight" This phrase has many variations in the ancient manuscripts and versions. The UBS Text Project, p. 256, supports the MT ("and snatch away our eye"), but only with a "C" rating (considerable doubt). The LXX has "and will overshadow our eyes." The JPSOA has "and eludes us" (NRSV, REB). 20:7 Notice who made up David's attack force. Joab and the Judean soldiers David's mercenaries Cherethites Pelethites all the mighty men 20:8-13 Joab tricks and kills Amasa, just like Abner, apparently for being late in accomplishing David's orders restoring himself as military leader Amasa's military men were shocked and appalled at this action. They stood still looking at Amasa until he was dragged off the road and covered up by one of Joab's loyalists. Josephus, Antiq. 7.11.7, adds "having left a man with the dead body who was ordered to proclaim aloud to the army that Amasa was justly slain and deservedly punished." 20:8 "it fell out" This seems to have been part of the trick or subterfuge played on Amasa. Joab had no sword available Joab had another sword hidden Joab dropped it on purpose to grab it quickly and strike (Josephus, Antiq. 7.11.7) This was eyewitness detail.
2 Samuel 20:10-12
20:10 This is another eyewitness detail.
2 Samuel 20:14-22
20:14 "to Abel, even Beth-maacah" This location is to the west of the northern city of Dan, about five miles. Sheba or Joab moved through all the tribal area of the northern tribes and came to a small fortified city in Dan (cf. 1 Kgs. 15:20; 2 Kgs. 15:29). The PRONOUN ANTECEDENT is uncertain. In context it seems to refer to Sheba trying to gain support from Israelite tribes. ▣ NASB, NKJV "all the Berites" NRSV, NJB "all Bichrites" "the clan of Bikri" "all the clan of Bichri" "all the Beerites" "all the Charri" "and to Berin" The MT has "Berites," but the UBS Text Project, p. 257, gives "and all the chosen ones" (Vulgate) a "D" rating (highly doubtful). The UBS Text Project suggests that the MT is corrupt and the Vulgate tried to make sense of it. 20:15 "were wreaking destruction" NKJV, Peshitta "battered" "were battering" "began to dig under" "begin undermining" "were engaged in battering" "were intending to throw down" "trying to break through" The MT is reflected in the JPSOA translation. The LXX may reflect the original Hebrew text better. MT ‒ משׁחיתם, BDB 1007, KB 1469, Hiphil PARTICIPLE; they were destroying the wall LXX reflects ‒ מחשׁבים; they intended to destroy the wall but had not started 20:16-19 "a wise woman" Apparently this town was well known for its "wise" women. I get this from vv. 18-19, but the problem is that these verses are uncertain. The UBS Text Project has a three page note with options (pp. 257-259). These scholars are unsure if the MT or the LXX has the original wording. It gives a "B" rating (some doubt) to the MT. "in Abel, and so they concluded I (am) of the peaceable and faithful of Israel." The LXX has "in Abel, and in Dan if they had abandoned what the faithful of Israel had established." The Peshitta is very different. 20:18 There are two emphatic constructions involving an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root. "formerly they used to say" ‒ BDB 180, KB 210, Piel "they will surely ask advice" ‒ BDB 981, KB 1371, Piel 20:19 "a city, even a mother in Israel" This is an idiomatic statement for an important fortified city with many surrounding unwalled villages. ▣ "swallow up" This is an idiom for destruction (BDB 118, KB 134, Piel IMPERFECT, cf. 2 Sam. 17:16). ▣ "the inheritance of the Lord" This was a way of referring to YHWH's covenant people and covenant promise of a land (cf. Deut. 32:9; 1 Sam. 26:19; 2 Sam. 14:16; 21:3). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 20:20 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA "Far be it, far be it" "never" "the last thing" "God forbid, far be it" "Be gracious to me, be gracious to me" "Far be it" "Get serious!" The MT has the NEGATIVE INTERJECTION (BDB 321, KB 318) which is used in Gen. 18:25; 44:7,17; Josh. 22:29; 24:16; 1 Sam. 2:30; 12:23; 14:45; 20:9; 22:15; 24:6; 26:11; 2 Sam. 23:17; 1 Kgs. 21:3; Job 27:5; 34:10. It is analogous to Paul's "God forbid" of the NT. 20:21 The city is spared by the head of Sheba being thrown over the wall. The text does not say what happened to the supporters of Sheba in v. 14. ▣ "lifted up his hand" This imagery is used of several motivations. oath-taking, Exod. 6:8; Num. 14:3 rebellion, 2 Sam. 20:6] blessings, Lev. 9:22; Ps. 143:2 SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND
2 Samuel 20:23-26
20:23-26 This same information is found earlier in 2 Sam. 8:16-18. Moderns do not know the time, place, or persons involved in the final rendition of the OT. There have obviously been some editorial additions and summaries. SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (it's uniqueness and inspiration) SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (Bob's Presuppositions)