Add parallel Print Page Options

Sheba Leads Israel Away From David

20 At that place there was a man named Sheba son of Bicri. Sheba was a worthless troublemaker from the tribe of Benjamin. He blew a trumpet to gather the people together and said,

“We have no share in David.
    We have no part in the son of Jesse.
Israel, let’s all go home.”

So all the Israelites[a] left David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the people from Judah stayed with their king all the way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

David went back to his house in Jerusalem. He had left ten of his slave women to take care of the house. He put these women in a special house.[b] Then he put guards around the house. They stayed in this house until they died. David took care of the women and gave them food, but he did not have sexual relations with them. They lived like widows until they died.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 20:2 Israelites Here, this means the tribes not united with Judah.
  2. 2 Samuel 20:3 David … special house David’s son Absalom had ruined David’s concubines by having sexual relations with them. See 2 Sam. 16:21-22.

Bible Gateway Recommends

PDT Children's Softcover Bible, Case of 20
PDT Children's Softcover Bible, Case of 20
Retail: $219.80
Our Price: $162.99
Save: $56.81 (26%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
Ukrainian City Bible ERV-UK--softcover
Ukrainian City Bible ERV-UK--softcover
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $18.49
Save: $1.50 (8%)
ERV Flexcover Bible, Case of 28
ERV Flexcover Bible, Case of 28
Retail: $223.72
Our Price: $167.72
Save: $56.00 (25%)
Kannada Bible with References
Kannada Bible with References
Retail: $23.99
Our Price: $21.49
Save: $2.50 (10%)
PDT Spanish Paperback Bible
PDT Spanish Paperback Bible
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $7.99
Save: $2.00 (20%)
3.0 of 5.0 stars
ERV Duotone Bible, Black/Grey - Case of 24
ERV Duotone Bible, Black/Grey - Case of 24
Retail: $455.76
Our Price: $334.99
Save: $120.77 (26%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars