2 samuel 20:2 - So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 samuel 20:2" mean?
This verse in 2 Samuel 20:2 describes a schism within Israel following Absalom's rebellion and David's restoration to the throne. Let's break down what's happening:
"So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri;": This indicates a widespread rebellion led by Sheba. "Israel" here refers to the northern tribes (separate from Judah), and their leaving David implies that they were not fully reconciled to his rule after the chaos of Absalom's revolt. Sheba, a Benjamite (likely feeling resentment towards David's dominance), capitalized on this discontent.
"but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.": "Judah" represents the southern tribe, David's own tribe, who remained loyal to him. "From the Jordan even to Jerusalem" specifies the geographical region where Judah's loyalty was concentrated, essentially the heartland of David's kingdom.
In essence, the verse highlights:
A divided nation: The verse signifies that David's return to power did not immediately unite all the tribes. There was lingering resentment and a desire for autonomy in the northern tribes.
Sheba's rebellion: This marks the beginning of another challenge to David's authority. Sheba successfully rallied the northern tribes against David.
Judah's Loyalty: David could still count on the support of his own tribe, which was crucial for maintaining his position.
Political Instability: The events after Absalom's rebellion had left Israel unstable, with underlying tensions and a readiness for further division.
This verse sets the stage for another conflict that David must overcome to solidify his rule and fully reunite the kingdom of Israel.
2 samuel 20:2 - So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.
What does "2 samuel 20:2" mean?
This verse in 2 Samuel 20:2 describes a schism within Israel following Absalom's rebellion and David's restoration to the throne. Let's break down what's happening:
"So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri;": This indicates a widespread rebellion led by Sheba. "Israel" here refers to the northern tribes (separate from Judah), and their leaving David implies that they were not fully reconciled to his rule after the chaos of Absalom's revolt. Sheba, a Benjamite (likely feeling resentment towards David's dominance), capitalized on this discontent.
"but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.": "Judah" represents the southern tribe, David's own tribe, who remained loyal to him. "From the Jordan even to Jerusalem" specifies the geographical region where Judah's loyalty was concentrated, essentially the heartland of David's kingdom.
In essence, the verse highlights:
A divided nation: The verse signifies that David's return to power did not immediately unite all the tribes. There was lingering resentment and a desire for autonomy in the northern tribes.
Sheba's rebellion: This marks the beginning of another challenge to David's authority. Sheba successfully rallied the northern tribes against David.
Judah's Loyalty: David could still count on the support of his own tribe, which was crucial for maintaining his position.
Political Instability: The events after Absalom's rebellion had left Israel unstable, with underlying tensions and a readiness for further division.
This verse sets the stage for another conflict that David must overcome to solidify his rule and fully reunite the kingdom of Israel.