Sheba’s Revolt
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The return of David was not smooth. Israel and Judah had recently disputed over who was most loyal. This spirit of rivalry had existed throughout Israel’s history, and the tribes had fought incessantly among themselves—as far back as their disagreement concerning the fate of their brother Joseph. “Under the judges God had made each tribe virtually independent. Taxes were extremely low. Although the tribes worked together as allies, ‘there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes’ (Judges 21:25).” Now a Benjamite named Sheba took advantage of these differences to fan the flames of controversy against David. He issued a call for each man to return to his own tribe and revolt against having one king over all. This was especially attractive to the northern tribes, who had little stake in giving allegiance to a man not of their tribe. His message was calculated to create a divide between Judah and the rest of the tribes. Why should they swear allegiance to a king who was not a relative? “Only a short time before the men of Israel were loud in their protestations that they had a greater claim upon David than had the men of Judah. . . . Human nature is fickle indeed. David’s throne was still far from secure in spite of all the loud words of welcome.” If David was to regain control over the entire kingdom, he would have to fight a civil war to do so.
“The rebellion of Absalom had originated in Judah, and it was Judah that had been tardy in returning to the standard of David ([2 Samuel] 19:11), but now Judah clave to him. It was well for David that he had wooed rather than alienated the affections of Judah, for it was to these men who were so slow to welcome him that he now owed his throne.” Could one man rule over these contentious people and get them to agree on anything? Consider: covetousness of an exalted position was the original sin in heaven.
