What does 2 Samuel 20:21 mean?
"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." - 2 Samuel 20:21
The Bible verse 2 Samuel 20:21 in the King James Version (KJV) reads as follows: "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." This verse is part of the larger narrative of 2 Samuel, which details the reign of King David and the events surrounding it.
In this particular verse, we find Joab, a commander of David's army, in conversation with a wise woman from the city of Abel Beth Maacah. She has just pleaded with Joab to spare her city from destruction by the Israelite forces, who are seeking to capture and kill a rebellious man named Sheba. The woman offers to deliver Sheba to Joab in order to save her city, and Joab agrees to this condition.
The verse holds several layers of meaning and significance. Firstly, it speaks to the political and military strategies at play during King David's reign. It showcases the cunning and negotiation skills of the woman from Abel Beth Maacah, who seeks to protect her city from destruction by offering a solution to Joab. Additionally, it demonstrates Joab's willingness to accept her offer and avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
Furthermore, the verse reflects themes of loyalty and betrayal. Sheba, the son of Bichri, has rebelled against King David, thus betraying his leadership. This act of treachery has put the city of Abel Beth Maacah at risk, and it is only through the intervention of the wise woman and Joab's pragmatism that a resolution is sought.
Symbolically, the verse can be interpreted as a representation of the delicate balance between justice and mercy. Joab, as the representative of the king's authority, seeks to uphold the law and punish Sheba for his rebellion. However, the wise woman appeals to his sense of mercy and offers an alternative solution that would spare her city from destruction. This interplay between justice and mercy is a recurring theme in the Bible, underscoring the complex nature of human interactions and the moral dilemmas that often arise.
In a broader context, the verse can also be seen as a reflection of the power dynamics within ancient Israelite society. It reveals how individuals, particularly women, had to navigate and negotiate with those in positions of authority in order to protect their communities and ensure their survival.
Overall, 2 Samuel 20:21 is a rich and multi-layered verse that offers insights into the political, moral, and social dynamics of the time. It highlights the complexities of human relationships, the interplay of power and mercy, and the strategies employed to navigate through challenging circumstances. It serves as a reminder of the timeless themes and issues that have shaped human history and continue to resonate in contemporary society.
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2 Samuel 20:21 Artwork
2 Samuel 20:21 - "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."
"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." - 2 Samuel 20:21
2 Samuel 21:20 - "And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant."
2 Chronicles 20:21
2 Samuel 21:21 - "And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him."
2 samuel 23:8-21
2 Samuel 22:17-20
2 Samuel 20:20 - "And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy."
1 Peter 2:20-21
2 Samuel 20:25 - "And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:"
2 Samuel 20:24 - "And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:"
2 Samuel 20:26 - "And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David."
2 Samuel 5:21 - "And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."
1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."
2 Samuel 2:20 - "Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am."
2 Samuel 21:11 - "And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done."
2 Samuel 13:21 - "¶ But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."
2 Samuel 21:22 - "These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."
2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."
2 Samuel 16:20 - "¶ Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do."
2 Samuel 1:20 - "Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph."
2 Samuel 20:4 - "¶ Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present."
2 Samuel 7:20 - "And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant."
2 Samuel 20:23 - "¶ Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:"
2 Samuel 22:20 - "He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me."
2 Samuel 22:21 - "The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me."
2 Samuel 19:21 - "But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?"
2 Samuel 21:18 - "And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant."
2 Samuel 21:13 - "And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged."