2 Samuel Chapter 20 Verses 1 – 2

 This Sheba is called a “rebel” in the NKJV however the word in the

Hebrew is, “Belial.” A word meaning literally worthless, unprofitable,

one who is a source of ruin. One who introduces destruction. Paul said

in Romans 16:17-18, “Now I urge you, brethren, note (“skopeo” in

the Greek, scope them, take aim at them) those who cause divisions

and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid

them! For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but

their own belly (gluts), and by smooth words and flattering speech

deceive the hearts of the simple.” The crazy thing is that folks actually

follow these people!

 Sheba introduces problems, loss, destruction! Don’t be like Sheba.

Contrary to the doctrine of OUR Lord Jesus Christ who introduces

humility, service and grace!

 Sheba’s slogan is an insult to David. Jesse wasn’t anyone of special or

royal blood. He was a common farmer. For Sheba to call this out was

to demean David and it proves effective.

 Last chapter we saw how there was a dispute amongst the people and

the division was between Judah and Israel. The people of Judah had

remained loyal to David while the people of Israel had sided with

Absolom. And once Absolom had died, they argued over David. The

ten tribes of Israel, or the northern tribes, called out that they had ten

shares in the king being ten tribes, but the rebuttal of Judah, or the

southern tribes, was, “Yea but you deserted him.” So, Judah’s voice

was greater than the voice of Israel. Sorta sets Sheba up to stir the pot.

 I just want to point out here that there IS a reason for unity. There

certainly is a reason for dispute. No doubt about that. War was just

waged. 20,000 plus soldiers have fallen including the son of the

king…, AND, they had again a common king.

 There is almost always a seemingly stronger pull and good reason to

not serve another as brother or as sister. Unity is in fact against the

nature of man. Our fallen nature calls out for us to serve ourselves,

protect ourselves, live solely and firmly in our own perspective. But

the way of God is to step into the perspective of others.

 For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son that whosoever

would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus

stepped into the perspective of all of us because of love. Love seeks

to, strives to, come together with someone. Find the common ground

and keep getting back there…

 Naturally though, we won’t do that. We will dwell in our own

perspective and in that we will miss much of the heart of God for the

matter and for the other person…, and truly, for us…

 Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:1-3, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one

another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond

of peace.”

 There are tons among tons of reasons to be a bit spiteful to almost

everyone, but we all have the same King. There IS also a reason to

strive for unity. And, may I just add one more thing, please? We truly

ought to secure unity for others. Speaking well of others and

encouraging each other by example and by exhortation to love, serve,

forgive, and commune with each other. The best way to serve someone

is to protect and secure lost unity and peace amongst others in their

life.

 If we speak poorly or critically about others to people, doesn’t that

train them that we will do the same thing about them? No wonder

some folks have so few people that trust them!!

2 Samuel Chapter 20 Verses 3 - 5

 Amasa was the general of Absolom’s army that David had promoted

in an action of peace and unity once he regained control of the

kingdom. He took a risk on Amasa, for the right reasons and for the

people. But that risk turned out to be realized as Amasa shows total

disregard for David’s authority.

 Here’s the thing about obedience to authority. Don’t obey your boss or

your husband or your wife or your father or your mother because you

should. I mean, you can do that, but at least 1% of you will be in

rebellion in your heart of hearts. It’s just how we are. If we are forced

to do something, then even if we do it, there will be a portion of us

that resents the forcing.

 I don’t obey my boss only because it’s the right thing to do to keep my

job or the right thing to do in the eyes of God. I mean, of course I do,

but it’s not my priority motivation. I obey the authority in my life

because it messages to them that they are important to me. And

that is the definition of respect. To reinforce someone’s worth is to

respect them. Let me say that again for the folks in the back, because

as Christians, respect is HUGELY important. Even that we respect

those that reject Jesus Christ…

 To reinforce someone’s worth is to respect them. And to God, even

those that are lost, are worth the life of His Son. So, I listen to and

obey my boss, and this even spills over into stepping into someone

else’s perspective, to message to them that they are important. And

that is a pure reflection of my heart for God!

 Disobedience is disrespect, because it messages a lack of

unimportance. Same with those that lack empathy, it messages

unimportance. And ultimately it reveals a flippant, one sided self-

serving relationship with God.

2 Samuel Chapter 20 Verses 6 – 15

 A siege mound is one like we see at Masada when we go to Israel. It’s

essentially a land bridge that is built one bucket of dirt at a time. Those

living behind the walls of the city can see it building, those building

the mound can see it building. So, for one it is a daily stress and fear

that is building and for the other it is a daily hope that continues to

grow stronger.

 Life is like that for a Christian in ways. Many ways. One is as we age.

I have this incredible hope of what is ahead for me, once this tent

gives up its tensions and falls. The mound of my own mortality builds,

but I know that Jesus is my Salvation and the moment this life ends,

my eternal life begins!

2 Samuel Chapter 20 Verses 16 – 22

 You know what she said when she tossed Sheba’s head over the wall,

right? “Heads UP!” HA!! Thank God for this wise woman! It doesn’t

say she was aged, that she was an elder in the city. It just says that she

was wise. The word in the Hebrew for wise means, “learned.” You

can be very full of years and yet still not be “learned.” How much do

you learn every day? On a daily basis? If your answer is anything but

A LOT, then you’ve got a problem! There is A LOT to learn around

us, and in us, everyday!!!

 To learn, you must have an internal admission that you’re less than

right. Not sure how else to say that. And so many are so stuck on

making sure everyone knows how smart and powerful they are that

they avoid any humility at all if possible. You’ll still learn, just really

slowly.

 This woman could be twenty years old and yet she has the wisdom to

save an entire city. Why? Because she has activated the super power

we all have. She is a learner. Ok with not being the rightest! And

before you write this little principle off, I would say one in 50 people

are learners. Most are self-protective to the point that they can’t face

the fact that at least in some circumstances, all of us are stupid. HA!

 Quick test. HA. Oh, this one is going to get me and many in trouble

but this is an effective test. You have to do this to a friend, can’t do

this to a stranger or just a cordial acquaintance. But here’s a sure test.

When the opportunity arises and someone says something less than

smart, even if it’s a slip, say with a smile and almost in jest, “Man, you

are stupid!” AND SEE WHAT THEY DO! HA!

 If they agree, they’re a learner! Learners have no problem being called

dumb because they’ve accepted that they know less than 1% of all

there is to know. If they say that you’re the stupid one or they get

offended, welp, there you go…, stuck on self… Oh man, that one is

going to get me some emails! HA!

2 Samuel Chapter 23 – 26

 The greatness of David’s leadership is in his heart after God’s for

sure… And that comes forth and reveals itself through wisdom! He

knows to build the strongest of kingdoms, a kingdom great and the

greatest it can be for everyone, that he cannot do it his way. He needs

the collective ways of the men and women around him. And together,

they need to seek the Lord, because in all that we all know put

together, we know infinitely less than God!