Daily Devotional for Thursday, January 25

Sheba’s Undoing

“Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king,” 2 Samuel 20:22.

One of the overarching themes we see in the story of David was the impact his sin had on so many people. It has often been said that no man is an island, and any time we do anything, we can affect someone or something. Even the simplest actions affect those around us. The effects of David’s sins were still being felt by the nation of Israel, even after the defeat of Absalom and restoration of Judah to David. A new threat now emerged named Sheba, the son of Bichri. Sheba had convinced many of the Israelites to rebel against David.

Joab and his men pursued Sheba to Abel Beth-maachah. There, they encountered a “wise woman” who logically pleaded with Joab not to destroy the city (2 Samuel 20:16-19). After she pled her case, Joab ensured her that he would not destroy the city if the Israelite inhabitants would give up Sheba. Second Samuel 20:21 shares the conversation between Joab and the woman. “The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall” (verse 21). These people were not willing to die for Sheba, so his head flew over the wall.

There are always consequences when you rebel against the Lord. Sheba, son of Bichri, learned this, as have many others throughout history. People die and go to hell every day because they reject Jesus. Rebelling against God never has a good outcome.

JUST A THOUGHT
Do you ever rebel against the Lord?

Chris Floyd