Key Verse Spotlight
2 Samuel 20:23 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites, "
2 Samuel 20:23
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
21 The matter is not so. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. Just deliver him, and I will depart from the city.” The woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.”
22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
23 Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites,
24 Adoram was over the men subject to forced labor, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder,
25 Sheva was scribe, Zadok and Abiathar were priests,
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Create Free AccountBible Guided Commentary
Here is an account of the state of David’s court after he was restored. Joab kept his office as commander of the army, because he was too powerful to remove. Benaiah, as before, was captain of the guards.
One new office is mentioned here, one we did not see in (2 Samuel 8:16-18): the office of treasurer, or the man in charge of tribute, that is, public taxes. It was not until near the end of David’s reign that he began to levy taxes. Adoram held this office for a long time, but it later cost him his life (1 Kings 12:18).
From This Chapter
2 Samuel 20:1
"There happened to be there a wicked fellow, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet, and said, “We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, 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."
2 Samuel 20:3
"David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody and provided them with sustenance, but didn’t go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood."
2 Samuel 20:4
"Then the king said to Amasa, “Call me the men of Judah together within three days, and be here present.”"
2 Samuel 20:5
"So Amasa went to call the men of Judah together, but he stayed longer than the set time which had been appointed to him."
2 Samuel 20:6
"David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight.”"
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