Gospel Reflections #1150: The Self-centered Divide

2 Samuel 20:1 “Now there was a rebel there named Sheba, the son of Bichri from the tribe of Benjamin. He blew a trumpet and proclaimed, ‘We have no share in David; we have no inheritance with the son of Jesse. Return to your own tents, O Israel.’”

This is a significant scripture depicting the beginning of a new rebellion (the rebellion of Sheba) that arose during the process of national reunification, immediately following the suppression of the coup led by King David’s son, Absalom.

King David had once been driven from the palace by the rebellion of his own son, Absalom, but following Absalom’s death in battle, he was on his way back to the palace in Jerusalem.

During this return, a power struggle (and emotional conflict) had intensified between the ‘Tribe of Judah’, from which David hailed, and the ‘Ten Tribes of Israel’ in the north, over which would be the first to welcome the king. The word ‘there’ in verse 1 of chapter 20 refers precisely to the very scene where such tense political and emotional friction was taking place.

Sheba was a member of the ‘Tribe of Benjamin’, the same tribe as David’s predecessor, King Saul.

It is thought that within the Tribe of Benjamin, deep-seated resentment and a spirit of opposition remained regarding the transfer of the kingship from their own tribe to the Tribe of Judah (David).

The Bible categorically describes Sheba as a ‘rebel’.

This is the Bible’s negative assessment of a man who raised a rebellion against God’s anointed king (David) and incited the division of the kingdom.

Sheba blew a ram’s horn and stirred up the ten northern tribes with the following words.

He exploited their grievance that ‘David’s rule favours the tribe of Judah, whilst they (the northern tribes) derive no benefit whatsoever’.

 By deliberately refraining from calling David ‘king’ and instead referring to him by his father’s name (Isaiah), he intentionally undermined and disparaged David’s authority as king.

This was a clear call for independence and defection, implying: ‘We no longer need to obey David. Let us disband and return to our own tribes (nations).’

Although they had only just overcome a national crisis (Absalom’s rebellion), tribal pride and lingering emotional resentment meant they were once again on the brink of division.

This illustrates just how easily human self-centredness and arrogance can destroy a community.

It also reveals that, at this point, a deep ‘north-south divide’ already existed within Israel.

In every age, rebellion and division arise from within.

They, too, are born of our own emotions—such as discontent, distrust and envy.

Yet, even in such times, God stands by us.

And He speaks to us ceaselessly.

‘Come back to me,’ He says.

May we ask God to grant us the grace to keep our eyes fixed upon Him at all times.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.