Sheba שֶׁ֫בַע
Benjamite rebel against King David
Who is Sheba in the Bible?
Sheba was a Benjamite who led a rebellion against King David, as recorded in 2 Samuel 20. After David's return to Jerusalem following Absalom's failed revolt, Sheba exploited the tensions between Israel and Judah by rallying the northern tribes with the cry, "We have no share in David, no part in Jesse's son!" (2Sa.20.1). When David sent Joab and Abishai to capture him, Sheba fled to the city of Abel-beth-maacah, where he was eventually besieged. A wise woman of the city negotiated Sheba's death, and his head was delivered to Joab over the city wall (2Sa.20.22), ending the rebellion. Sheba's uprising demonstrates the precarious political stability of David's kingdom and the enduring tribal divisions that threatened Israel's unity.
Biography
Sheba, mentioned in 2 Samuel 20, was a Benjamite who led a rebellion against King David. After the quelling of Absalom's rebellion and David's return to Jerusalem, Sheba took advantage of the lingering tensions between Israel and Judah. He rallied the men of Israel to abandon David, proclaiming, "We have no share in David, no part in Jesse's son!" (2Sa.20.1). David, recognizing the threat posed by Sheba's rebellion, ordered his men, led by Joab and Abishai, to pursue Sheba. Sheba fled to the city of Abel-beth-maacah, where he sought refuge. Joab besieged the city, but a wise woman intervened and negotiated with him. She convinced the people of the city to behead Sheba and throw his head over the wall to Joab, thus ending the rebellion. The incident with Sheba highlights the fragile unity between Israel and Judah during David's reign and the challenges he faced in maintaining control over the kingdom. It also demonstrates the importance of wise counsel and the role of negotiation in resolving conflicts.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book2 Samuel 5 verses
- 2 Samuel 20:1
"Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!”"
- 2 Samuel 20:2
"So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem."
- 2 Samuel 20:6
"And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.”"
- 2 Samuel 20:7
"So Joab’s men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri."
- 2 Samuel 20:10
"Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שֶׁ֫בַע |