While David was returning from his forced exile beyond the Jordan a Benjamite name Sheba leads a rebellion so that most of Israel except Judah don’t accompany David (v1-2). David asks his newly appointed commander Amasa to summon the men of Judah in order to pursue Sheba (v4). He took longer than was asked and David sends Abishai and Joab after Sheba (v5-7).

On the way they meet Amasa and Joab who is always very ruthless kills him (v8-10). 1 Kings 2 v5 implies it was out of revenge for Amasa taking the opposite side in Absalom’s rebellion and therefore involved in killing men Joab knew.

Sheba is then pursued to a place called Abel and it is only the intervention of a wise woman that prevents the whole town suffering destruction (v14-22).

These were very dark and cruel days and someone like Joab, who although he got the job done, was someone who needed restraint. We need to be very careful that feelings of revenge and bitterness do not control us. We need to pray for more and more of the grace of Christ to rule our hearts.