A Worthless Fellow

Follow Along with the Message

When the Bible tells a story, there is something universal, timeless in it.  Something from God for us.  "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Sheba's story

"Now Israel had fled, each to his tent. (9) All the people were quarreling throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, 'The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled out of the land from Absalom. (10) However, Absalom, whom we anointed over us has died in battle. Now then, why are you silent about bringing the king back?' (40) Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him; and all the people of Judah and also half the people of Israel accompanied the king.  (41) And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, 'Why had our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household and all David's men with him over the Jordan?  (42) Then all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, 'Because the king is a close relative to us.  Why then are you angry about this matter?  Have we eaten at all at the king's expense, or has anything been taken for us? (43) But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, 'We have ten parts in the king, therefore we also have more claim on David than you.  Why then did you treat us with contempt?  Was it not our advice first to bring back the king?'  Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.  (20:1) Now a worthless fellow happened to be there whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet and said, 'We have no portion in David, nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel' "(2 Samuel 19:8b-10, 40-43, 20:1-2).

Worthless--Belial.  Not morally BAD, just not morally GOOD.  Not useful.  Dead weight.  Close to the NT idea of immaturity.

--A DIVIDED NATION

Quarreling.  All of them.  Strong opinions.  Angry emotions.

David goes to Gilgal.  All of Judah.  Half of Israel.  Quarreling continues. Harsh words.

"A house divided against itself will not stand" (Matthew 12:25).  Like a fever, more damaging the longer it goes.

Acts 15--Peter and Paul and James.  Excellent leadership.  "It seemed good to the apostles and the elders and the whole church" (Acts 15:22).  The WHOLE church.

--UNITY SHATTERED

Into this fragile situation stepped a MAGNIFICENTLY IMMATURE man!  Rather than unite, he divides.  Rather than respect, he insults.  Plays on tribal fears.

We have no stake in David.  No inheritance.  No future.  Secede from the union.

--A WISE WOMAN

Army chases Sheba and his dwindling forces to the city of Abel.  Wise woman averts a disaster by skillfully talking with Joab and city leaders.

"Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. (14) But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. (15) This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. (16) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (17) But the wisdom from above first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. (18)  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:13-18).

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).

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"Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?'  Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven' "(Matthew 18:21-22).

"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?  Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?"(James 4:1)

     "And He shall be called. . .Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).