Sheba's Revolt

Sheba, a Benjamite and son of Bichri, blew a trumpet and declared that the men of Israel had no portion in David, prompting the Israelites to leave David and follow him (2 Samuel 20:1-2). David returned to his palace in Jerusalem and instructed Amasa to assemble the men of Judah within three days. When Amasa delayed beyond the set time, David ordered Abishai to pursue Sheba to prevent him from reaching fortified cities. Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men followed Abishai out of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 20:4-7).

At the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa met them. Joab, wearing his military garment with a sword fastened at his waist, approached Amasa. As Joab moved forward, his sword fell out. He took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him, and Amasa did not notice the sword in Joab's other hand. Joab struck Amasa in the stomach, and his intestines spilled out on the ground; the text does not say Amasa spoke before he died. A young man stood by the body, instructing the people to follow Joab and David. Amasa’s body was eventually moved from the highway into a field and covered with a garment because everyone who saw it stopped (2 Samuel 20:8-12).

Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth-maacah. They built a siege mound against the city and began battering the wall to throw it down. A wise woman called from the city to Joab, asking why he sought to destroy a mother city in Israel. Joab replied that he only sought Sheba son of Bichri, who had lifted his hand against King David. The woman stated that the man's head would be thrown over the wall. She spoke to the people in her wisdom, and they cut off Sheba's head and threw it to Joab (2 Samuel 20:15-22).