2 samuel 20:11 - One of Joab’s young men stood by him, and said, “He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab!”
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What does "2 samuel 20:11" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 20:11 is part of the story of Sheba's rebellion against King David. After Joab kills Amasa (David's appointed commander who was sympathetic to Absalom) in a treacherous manner, the verse describes the chaos and confusion that ensued. Let's break down its meaning:
Context: Sheba, a Benjamite, has started a rebellion against David. David had tasked Amasa with gathering the men of Judah to quell the rebellion. However, Amasa was slow to assemble the troops, leading to Joab's intervention (and murder of Amasa).
"One of Joab's young men stood by him": This refers to a soldier or attendant loyal to Joab. He is taking charge of the situation after Joab's violent act.
"He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab!": This is the key phrase. It is a carefully crafted statement with several layers of meaning:
Surface Level: It's a call to action. The soldier is urging those who support Joab and those who support David to join Joab's pursuit of Sheba. He frames it as being for David, even though Joab has just committed a heinous act that could be seen as undermining David's authority.
Deception and Manipulation: The statement is likely manipulative. Joab has just murdered Amasa, a commander appointed by David. The soldier is trying to paper over this fact and present Joab's actions as being in David's best interest. By linking support for Joab with support for David, he forces people to choose a side without fully understanding the situation.
Power Grab: In reality, the statement asserts Joab's power. He's basically saying, "Whether you like it or not, if you're with David, you're with me (Joab)." This reinforces Joab's dominance over the army and the kingdom.
Practical Considerations: Joab was a seasoned and effective military leader. Some soldiers might genuinely believe that following Joab was the most practical way to end the rebellion, regardless of the morality of his actions. They might see him as the only one capable of quickly dealing with Sheba.
In summary, the verse depicts a moment of political and military maneuvering after a violent act. Joab's loyal follower uses a carefully worded statement to consolidate power, quell dissent, and rally support for Joab under the guise of serving King David. It highlights the ruthlessness and ambiguity of power dynamics in the ancient world. It leaves the reader with the question: is it truly for David if it's built on such a foundation?
2 samuel 20:11 - One of Joab’s young men stood by him, and said, “He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab!”
What does "2 samuel 20:11" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 20:11 is part of the story of Sheba's rebellion against King David. After Joab kills Amasa (David's appointed commander who was sympathetic to Absalom) in a treacherous manner, the verse describes the chaos and confusion that ensued. Let's break down its meaning:
Context: Sheba, a Benjamite, has started a rebellion against David. David had tasked Amasa with gathering the men of Judah to quell the rebellion. However, Amasa was slow to assemble the troops, leading to Joab's intervention (and murder of Amasa).
"One of Joab's young men stood by him": This refers to a soldier or attendant loyal to Joab. He is taking charge of the situation after Joab's violent act.
"He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab!": This is the key phrase. It is a carefully crafted statement with several layers of meaning:
Surface Level: It's a call to action. The soldier is urging those who support Joab and those who support David to join Joab's pursuit of Sheba. He frames it as being for David, even though Joab has just committed a heinous act that could be seen as undermining David's authority.
Deception and Manipulation: The statement is likely manipulative. Joab has just murdered Amasa, a commander appointed by David. The soldier is trying to paper over this fact and present Joab's actions as being in David's best interest. By linking support for Joab with support for David, he forces people to choose a side without fully understanding the situation.
Power Grab: In reality, the statement asserts Joab's power. He's basically saying, "Whether you like it or not, if you're with David, you're with me (Joab)." This reinforces Joab's dominance over the army and the kingdom.
Practical Considerations: Joab was a seasoned and effective military leader. Some soldiers might genuinely believe that following Joab was the most practical way to end the rebellion, regardless of the morality of his actions. They might see him as the only one capable of quickly dealing with Sheba.
In summary, the verse depicts a moment of political and military maneuvering after a violent act. Joab's loyal follower uses a carefully worded statement to consolidate power, quell dissent, and rally support for Joab under the guise of serving King David. It highlights the ruthlessness and ambiguity of power dynamics in the ancient world. It leaves the reader with the question: is it truly for David if it's built on such a foundation?