2 Samuel 20

This chapter is rated R for violence, as we get the gory details of Joab dispatching his rival Amasa, and David's rebellious subject Sheba 'losing his head' over the wise woman at the wall at Abel Beth Maacah. Lest it be said that the Bible provides sanitized versions of the men of the Old Testament, exhibit A is this ongoing picture of Joab's treachery, and the seeming willingness of the tribes of Israel to follow anyone who speaks against the King.

David has long ago been publicly anointed by God for the throne, but Sheba incites the people to declare that they 'have no share in David, no part in Jesse's son' (v. 1). Faced with unmistakable God-ordained leadership, Sheba and the others nonetheless reject His man - desiring to throw off his mantle. Several hundred years later, God would again indicate His pleasure in His Anointed One...and many would still reject Jesus' rule.

Questions: 1) Read Luke 3: 21-22 for the affirmation God provided to Jesus. 2) In 2 Samuel 20:2 we are told that the men of Judah 'stayed by their king all the way'. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay by your King, Jesus, when you encounter opposition or persecution for your steadfast decision to stay with Him.