Joab himself of his own accord would needs accompany his brother Abishai in this Expedition intending when he met with an opportunity to kill Amasa Abishai and Joab being come to the great stone which was near Gibeon they discovered Amasa with the forces he had raised not far before them Joab now resolving to kill him he girt his garment close about him that it might not encumber him and on it girded his sword and put it into a wide scabbard that it might upon the bending of his body fall out Joab now coming up to Amasa bowed his body to salute him and said to him Art thou in health my brother upon his bowing his sword fell out of the scabbard as if it had been by accident and he stoop'd to take it up Amasa not suspecting any thing and then having his sword in his left hand he took Amasa with his right by the beard as if he would have kissed him and then with his sword gave him such a deadly stab under the fifth rib that he immediately fell down and his bowels gushed out This was a vile and treacherous act in Joab and not to be mentioned without detestation yet there was a just hand of God in it in punishing Amasa for joining with Absalom against his Vncle David who was his Lord and Sovereign and though David had pardoned him for it yet God it seems would not let him go unpunished Joab having thus taken Amasa out of the way he now resumed his office of General over the Army without any commission from David and so with his brother Abishai went to pursue after Sheba but before he went it seems he appointed one to stand by the body of Amasa and to make this Proclamation to the Souldiers as they passed by He that favoureth Joab and desires to have him restored to his place of General Amasa being dead and he that is for David and desires he should have good success in this expedition against the common enemy let him follow after Joab and let not this accident hinder him But notwithstanding this Proclamation many of the Souldiers when they came where Amasa lay and saw him wallowing in his own blood they stood still as astonished at the dreadfulness of the sight and possibly murmured that Amasa should be so basely murdered whereupon the man removed the body out of the way and cast a cloth over it to hide it from the sight of the Souldiers and then they followed after Joab without staying So that we see in what high favour Joab was with the Army and the Military men notwithstanding Davids great displeasure against him Joab and Abishai pursued Sheba through all the Tribes where he had been gathering people to follow him even unto Abel and Beth-maacha in the North of Canaan in the Tribe of Naphtali where was the Country of the Berites (a) Aliqui per Berim Provinciam intelligunt in qua erat Abela Bethmaaca Menoch many of whom joined with Sheba who betaking himself with his followers to the strong City of Abel there Joab besieged him and casting up a great Bulwark or bank against the outmost wall he from thence with his Engines battered the wall to beat it down A wise woman that was in the City came upon the wall and desired to speak with Joab who coming within hearing of her she tells him that their City formerly had been had in high esteem for wisdom and ability to give counsel insomuch that it went for a Proverb They shall ask counsel at Abel so that they used to come from all the neighbouring parts when any controversie arose among them to take advice here and so they ended the matter or difference between them as the men of this City advised and directed This being so give me leave though a woman yet one that is of a peaceable spirit and faithful to the King to speak a few words unto thee Why goest thou about to destroy such an ancient and eminent City as this is that is a mother-Mother-city and chief of the Province having many other Towns and Villages under it Why wilt thou destroy a City that is part of the inheritance in which God hath placed his people Joab answer'd that he had no design to destroy their City or to do any damage to the Commonwealth but his aim was to preserve both by cutting off a pestilent enemy to both namely Sheba who had lifted up his hand against the King if they would but deliver him up to him he would presently depart from their City She tells him Sheba's head should be thrown over the wall to him very speedily It seems she was assured that the men of her City being wise men would do it And though they could not hinder Sheba's sudden getting into their City with his forces yet they would never hazard their City by sheltring such a Traytor Accordingly by her wisdom and the reasons she gave them the men of the City were perswaded and seized upon Sheba and cut off his head and threw it over the wall to Joab who thereupon drew off his forces from the City Joab having thus quell'd this rebellion went to Jerusalem to the King who though he could not chuse but be highly offended with him for killing Amasa in such a base and treacherous manner yet he having done him so great a service in subduing Sheba and his accomplices and being in so great esteem with the Souldiers and the people the King thought it best to let him alone and continue him in his place of General David being now reestablished in his Kingdom all things were setled in their former order Joab was General Benaiah Captain of the Kings Guard Adoram over the Tribute This Office was not mentioned Ch. 8. but David having now enlarged his Dominions and made many Nations Tributary to him he erected this office Jehoshaphat Recorder and Shevah called Seraiah * 'T was usual among the Hebrews for the same man to have two names Ch. 8.17 Scribe Abiathar the High-Priest and Zadock next to him and Ira of the Country of Jair in Gilead a chief ruler about the King David's Sons mentioned Ch. 8. are not here spoken of because divers of them were dead viz. Amnon Absalom and as 't is like Chileab also 2 Sam. Ch. 20. from v. 1 to the end SECT CXCVIII. AFter these things God punished the land of Israel with famine for three years together occasioned by drought and want of rain David at first lookt upon it as a punishment laid upon them for the common sins of the land but when he saw it continued three years together he thought there was some more special thing for which God was so highly offended (a) Populus punitur quia de eo facto gaudebant sperabant se frui posse bonis illorum Videbatur etiam David rem negligere potitus regno non succurrebat oppressis therefore he enquired of the Lord concerning it by the High-Priest
fifty thousand the greatest number that came out of any one Tribe men expert in war and arm'd with all Military instruments and who could keep rank and order and were not of a divided or double heart but men of great singleness and sincerity Of Naphtali a thousand Captains and with them thirty seven thousand armed with Shield and Spear Of the Danites twenty eight thousand and six hundred expert Soldiers Of Asher forty thousand Of the Reubenites Gadites and half Tribe of Manasseh an hundred and twenty thousand furnisht with all manner of weapons and military instruments All these which are reckoned to be in all three hundred twenty two thousand two hundred twenty two being men of war who knew how to keep rank and observe Military order and discipline are said to have come with an upright heart to Hebron to make David King over all Israel and those that came not up with them yet joined in heart and affection with them therein And there they stayed with David eating and drinking and feasting three days together their brethren of Hebron making what preparations for them they could and others that were nigh unto them sending in provisions yea as far as from Issachar (a) V. 40. Usque ab Issachar c. sic Jun. Tremel Zebulon and Naphtali they brought bread and other provisions some on Asses and Camels and Mules and some drawn by Oxen and meat and meal cakes of figs and bunches of raisins wine and oyl they brought also oxen and sheep in great abundance to make the Feast for there was then great joy in Israel 2 Sam. Ch. 5. from v. 1. to 6. 1 Chron. Ch. 11. from v. 1 to 4. 1 Chron. Ch. 12. from v. 23 to the end SECT CLXXXIV DAvid having now so many of his subjects together and most of them armed he resolved to make some good use of them to the taking of Jerusalem which stood in the confines of Judah and Benjamin the men of Judah had taken that part of it which belonged unto them see Judg. 1.8 but the Children of Benjamin could not drive out the Jebusites out of their part see Judg. 1.21 no not when they had the help of their brethren the men of Judah see Josh 15.63 and therefore we read that afterwards it was a City of strangers when the Levite with his Concubine went that way Judg. 19. and so it continued to this time It was a place it seems of very great strength because the Jebusites had held it ever since Joshua had entred the land and it was even in the heart of the Country David having therefore so vast a number of his subjects that were men of war about him who on this solemn occasion had come up to him to Hebron he thought fit to take this opportunity to lead them forth against Jerusalem viz. that part of it that was held by the Jebusites resolving that the wresting of that place out of their hands should be his first enterprize after his being anointed King over all Israel and intending when he had taken it to make it the chief seat of his Kingdom Accordingly he led his Army up thither but when he had laid siege thereto the Jebusites that were within presuming upon the strength of the place in a flouting manner told him That except he could take from them their Tutelar gods that is their Idols and Images in which they put their trust though he and his people counted them and in contempt called them blind and lame gods he must not expect to come in thither And so confident they were of the power and protection of their Idols that they thought David and all Israel could never take their Fort or Castle David hereupon to encourage his Captains in the enterprize promised them that whoever with his Soldiers did first scale the walls and get into the Gutter and kill the Jebusites and destroy the lame and blind Idols they so much trusted in which his soul hated he should be chief Captain and General of his forces Joab possibly that he might recover the Kings favour whom he had highly offended by killing Abner did hereupon first scale the walls and so was made Lord General of the Kings forces see 1 Chron. 11.6 And David did the rather promise this reward to him that should take the Fort because the Jebusites had said in scorn the blind and the lame as you call them being here we need not fear that you shall ever come into this house * Some think it was used as a Proverb The blind and the lame being here he shall not come into this house that is Take heed lest your confidence prove like that of the Jebusites seeing oftentimes as it was with them that which begins in confidence ends in shame Others think that the people of Israel did thus insult over the Jebusites after they had taken the Fort Your blind and lame Idols that should have kept us out are never like to enter into this Fort again For no blind or lame or dumb Idols shall ever be tolerated in this place David having thus taken the Fort he built it round about from Millo inward that is he did at his own cost and charges build and reedifie the inside of the City from Millo and left the care of building the out-walls to Joab 1 Chron. 11.8 Millo was a deep and broad ditch that separated Mount Sion from the lower City which Solomon afterwards filled up 1 King 9.15 24. And so David dwelt in this City and it was called the City of David no less than Bethlem where he was born and he grew great and the Lord of Hosts by his especial favour was with him and blessed him And as an effect thereof at this time Hiram (b) See the like concerning Solomon 1 King 5.1 2. King of Tyre a stranger sent Ambassadours to him to congratulate his settlement in the Kingdom and upon David's request he sent him Cedar-trees and Carpenters and Masons to build him a Palace And David perceived by his own experience and the inward perswasion of Gods Spirit that it was the immediate hand of God that had establisht him King over all Israel and that God had exalted him to the Kingdom and made his Kingdom famous for the good of his Church and people And David took to him more Concubines and Wives out of Jerusalem after he was come from Hebron and this it seems he did that thereby he might multiply his friends and allies for the strengthening of him in his Kingdom But herein he shewed much humane frailty * Habuit David 8 uxores decem concubinas sed neque ex tot uxoribus libido adulterandi extincta est and weakness in making use of that as a means to establish him in his Kingdom which God had expresly forbidden to the Kings of Israel viz. the multiplying of wives See Deut. 17.7 2 Sam. Ch. 5. from 6 to 17. 1 Chron. 11. from 4 to 10.
folly and bringeth upon men those very evils which they so unreasonably feared Hanun like a young foolish King hearkens presently to the rash counsel of these unadvised Courtiers and instead of kindly entertaining David's Ambassadours as he ought to have done he resolves to put all indignities upon them and to expose them to the derision and scorn of every one that should see them and according first causes one half of their beards to be shaved off partly to deform and disgrace them and partly to put a scorn on their Religion the Jews being by the Law forbidden even in their greatest mournings to cut or shave their beards Levit. 19.27 In regard to which Law the Israelites it seems forbare to shave their beards at all 2ly Whereas in those Countries they used to wear long loose garments not only for ornament and comeliness but also to hide their nakedness and keep their uncomely parts from open view Hanun caused their garments to be cut off at the middle even to the buttocks that those parts which nature it self teacheth men to hide might lye open to their shame herein also crossing the Law of God which so carefully provided that such nakedness might not be discovered see Exod. 20.26 Exod. 28.41 42. So that the Ammonites in thus maliciously and despitefully abusing these Ambassadours offended against the Law of God of Nature and of Nations and thereby deserved most severe punishment David being informed of these insufferable injuries done to his Ambassadours he sent some of his servants to meet them and to comfort them and to cloth them anew and appointed them to stay by the way at Jericho (a) That is in some cottage or private house set up in or near the place where Jericho once stood For it was not rebuilt till the days of Ahab 1 King 16.24 and the more obscure the place was the fitter it was for them to stay in till their beards were grown again till their beards were grown and then to return to him The children of Ammon who were descended of Lots Incest with his younger daughter as the Moabites were of his Incest with the Elder began now to be sensible that by this abominable abuse of these Ambassadours they had made themselves so odious to David that he would certainly seek to be revenged on them and therefore they thought it needful to make all possible preparations against him and accordingly they hired with a thousand talents of silver the Syrians of Beth-rehob a City at the foot of Libanus and the Syrians of Zoba a City lying between Damascus and Euphrates and the people of the King of Maacha another part of Syria near Gilead Trachonitis and the people of Ishtob where Jephtah dwelt Judg. 11.3 and some also of the Syrians of Mesopotamia (b) Call'd in the Hebrew Aram Naharaim This was the place from whence Isaac had his wife Gen. 24.10 and the Country out of which God call'd Abraham Act. 7.2 and therefore the Israelites were to acknowledg that a Syrian was their Father Deut. 26. in all thirty three thousand whereof some rode and fought in Chariots and the rest were Footmen who were all ready enough to engage in this war against David that thereby they might deliver themselves from the yoke which he had lately put upon their necks and revenge themselves on him David hearing of these vast preparations against him thought it best policy to be beforehand with them and accordingly sent Joab with a great host to invade them and to make their Country the seat of the war The Israelites drawing nigh unto them the Ammonites put themselves in battel array before their City Medba that if they were beaten they might retreat into it and they caused the Syrians and their Auxiliaries to put themselves in battel array in the fields that so they might hem in the Israelites and engage them both in front and rear Joab seeing this he thought with himself that the Syrians being Mercenaries were not like to stand to it if couragiously assaulted and if they were once beaten the Ammonites would quickly be put to flight wherefore he chose the flower of his Army whom he himself led to set upon the Syrians and the rest he put under the command of his Brother Abishai with them to engage the Ammonites telling his Brother that if the Syrians were too hard for him he should come and help him and if the Ammonites were too hard for him he would accordingly come and help him And then he spake to his Souldiers after this manner Let us be of good courage fellow-souldiers and play the men for our people and for the Cities of our God and then let the Lord do that which seemeth him good Joab accordingly drew up his forces against the Syrians and they soon fled before him which when the children of Ammon saw they fled also before Abishai and retreated into the City Joab having now obtained a great victory yet did not think it fit at present to pursue it any further possibly the season of the year was not then fit for the keeping of the field any longer and so he returned triumphantly to Jerusalem The Syrians being thus shamefully beaten by the Israelites and having no hope that David would ever make peace with them they having rebelled and join'd with the Ammonites against him they gathered themselves together and recruited their Army resolving there was no way for them but to stand it out and to do their utmost to shake off his yoke Hadadezer accordingly sent out his Agents and hired the Syrians that inhabited beyond Euphrates and they marched to Helam (a) A place no where else mentioned in holy Scripture but here a Town as it seems not far from Jordan and Shobach was the General of this Army David hearing of it mustered a great Army out of Israel and passing over Jordan fought them at Helam and totally vanquished them He slew seven thousand (b) Ten men fought in every Chariot which makes up the number of seven thousand mentioned 1 Chron. 19.18 men which fought in Chariots and besides these the greatest part of the Army both Horse and Foot to the number of about forty thousand (c) 2 Sam. 10.18 't is said he slew forty thousand Horsemen and 1 Chron. 19.18 't is said he slew forty thousand Footmen that is so many men horse and foot being mingled together And when all the Kings and Princes that were subject to Hadadezer and which were engaged with him in this war saw how they were beaten by David they sought and made peace with him and came under his protection and paid him tribute and they were afraid to assist the Ammonites any more 2 Sam. Ch. 10. whole Chapter 1 Chron. Ch. 19. whole Chapter SECT CXCII THE Winter having hindred David and his Captains from prosecuting their victory in the land of the Ammonites in the Spring of the next year which was the usual time that Kings went
and so would not go home to his own house but lay in the Court among the Kings houshold-servants And thus the Lord counterplotted David and would not suffer him to smother his sin as he earnestly endeavoured to have done David seeing that none of these devices would do resolves now upon a worse project than any of the former he writes a Letter to Joab and sends it by Vriah himself commanding him to set Vriah in the forefront of the hottest battel and to retire from him that he might be smitten and die Behold here the fearful progress of sin from one degree to another David whose conscience was once so tender that it smote him for cutting off the lap of Sauls garment being now left to himself groweth to such an hardness in sin that he scrupleth not to murder a faithful innocent and valiant subject and together with him divers others of his good subjects and draweth Joab also to partake with him in the same wickedness so great cause have we daily and earnestly to pray unto God not to lead us into temptation or not to leave us unto the power of it Joab having received these orders not regarding as it seems whither they were just or unjust right or wrong but resolving to please his Prince upon whose favour he depended whither he pleased God or no he sets himself to put them in execution and perhaps he hoped thereby to recover the Kings favour to the full height which had been much lessened and abated towards him since he had killed Abner and possibly he thought that David would be the more propitious to him when himself was become guilty in the like kind Observing therefore in what part of the City the stoutest Soldiers of the enemy manned the walls he assigned Vriah with a commanded party to that quarter and the City sallying out upon them several of them were slain and Vriah among the rest Then Joab sent a messenger to David to inform him how things went and put words into his mouth and instructed him what he should say if he found the King displeased at the loss of his men he tells him that possibly the King would be angry that they approached so near the walls of the City seeing they could not but think the enemy would shoot upon them from thence and would say what did they not remember how Abimelech the Son of Jerubbesheth (a) Call'd Jerubbaal Judg. 7.1 but here Jerubbesheth because the Hebrews detestation of Idols did expunge the word Baal out of their names and put Bosheth or Besheth in the room of it signifying an infamous thing as the Idol was Hos 9.10 compare 1 Chron. 8.33 with 2 Sam. 2.8 and 1 Chron. 8.34 with 2 Sam. 4.4 where Eshbaal and Meribaal in the one place are called Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth in the other or Gideon was slain Judg. 9.53 by venturing too near to the wall of Thebez He bids him that if the King expressed himself to him after this manner then he should forthwith say thy servant Vriah the Hittite is slain among the rest The messenger coming to David told him it seems only that the men of Rabbah had sallied out upon them and at first prevailed against them but they soon forced them to retreat and pursuing them too hotly even to the Gate of the City and the shooters shooting from the wall upon them they slew some of the Kings servants and among the rest his servant Vriah The King hearing this expressed no such displeasure at the loss of his men as Joab imagined he would do seeing Vriah whose death he mainly designed was taken off but bad the messenger tell Joab that he must not be over much troubled at this loss for the sword devoureth one as well as another therefore he must be content and bear with patience such accidents and take care to strengthen his siege for the future against the City that he might take it The King further bad the Messenger in his name to comfort and encourage Joab that he might go on chearfully with the war When Bathsheba heard that her husband Vriah was dead she put her self into mourning * The time of ordinary as Josephus writes lasted but seven days see Gen. 50.10 but their more solemn mournings lasted thirty days Deut. 34.8 for him the better to conceal her sin but whether she were inwardly grieved or no (a) Lacrymas non sponte cadentes effudit gemitusque expressit pectore laeto Lucan be sure she had cause enough of heart-bleeding and heart-breaking mourning if she considered that by her sin she had occasioned her husbands untimely death But when the time of her mourning (b) Tempus luctus quod Romanis mulieribus erat annus vel decem menses intra quod tempus nubere eis non licebat Haebreis in lege non erat constitutum was over which undoubtedly was as short as conveniently might be David sent for her and made her his wife that she might be thought to be with child by him after they were married but their adultery could not be so concealed for she soon was brought to bed of a Son and the thing that David had done highly displeased the Lord and he soon found the bitter effects of it 2 Sam. Ch. 11. whole Chapter SECT CXCIII IOab resolutely pursuing the siege of Rabbah at last he took that part of the City which was called the Royal City wherein the Kings Palace stood and the City of waters because it was invironed with waters both for safety and delight and knowing that the other part could not long stand out he sent to David to intreat him to come thither with some new forces that so he might have the honour of taking it and the glory and renown of this great enterprize For he knew that Kings were apt to be jealous and did not love that their subjects should eclipse their glory David accordingly went thither and took the City and with it their King Hanun and putting his Crown of State the weight whereof was a talent of Gold (c) A Crown of State and too weighty to be worn adorned with precious jewels upon his head and then taking it off they set it upon Davids to shew that the Royal dignity of that Nation was removed from him and conferred on David and then Hanun as 't is probable was either instantly deposed or put to death and his Brother made Governour of Rabbah under David whence it was that he shewed such respect to David when he fled from Absalom David was never so severe and cruel as at this time when he lay under the guilt of Adultery and murder Ch. 17.27 28. David having thus taken the City he brought forth the spoil of it in great abundance and took so many of the people as he thought fit to make exemplary and such of their Elders and Rulers as had been the chief ringleaders in all their vile and wicked actings and inflicted most severe
that time fourscore years old and therefore 't was time for him to think of dying and not of enjoying the pleasures of the Court I cannot now says he taste what I eat or what I drink neither can I hear the voice of singing men or singing women wherefore then should I go to be a burden to my Lord the King Besides let not the King think of recompencing me for the poor kindness I did him in lately sending him in some supplies seeing what I did was no more than my duty obliged me to I will therefore wait upon the King over Jordan and then I pray thee let thy servant return back again to his own house that there I may retire my self and prepare for my latter end for I desire to die in my own City and to be buried with my Fathers but as for my Son Chimham I am very willing he should go over with my Lord the King let him therefore I pray thee be taken into thy favour and employ him as thou thinkest fit David readily entertained the motion and promises Barzillai to do for his Son whatsoever he should desire of him So the King and the people passing over Jordan Barzillai there took leave of him and at their parting the King kissed him and blessed him and retained so great a sense of his kindness to him that afterwards he commanded his Son Solomon to take an especial care of his Sons and to let them be of the number of those that did eat at his Table 1 King 2.7 2 Sam. Ch. 19. from v. 9 to 40. 17. The King being now come over Jordan the generality of the Tribe of Judah and some few of the ten Tribes viz. as many as in that hast could come together conducted him to Jerusalem the rest of the Israelites that as it seems could not get ready to come so soon came to the King and exprest themselves greatly discontented that they had not in hand in bringing him back as well as the Tribe of Judah Why say they have the children of Judah stollen thee away and carried thee home as it were by stealth without calling us or expecting our company and so have endeavoured as it were to ingross thee to themselves and to appropriate to themselves the intire glory of this action The men of Judah hearing this answered that the King was of their Tribe and near a kin to them wherefore then say they be ye angry for this matter We have not put the King to any expense we have born our own charges neither have we received nor do we expect any reward from him for this service The men of Israel replied that they being Ten Tribes had more right to the King than Judah who with Benjamin join'd to them were but two and they being the greatest part of his subjects had most interest in him And therefore say they why did you thus despise us as not to think us worthy to be sent unto or advised with about bringing back the King the men of Judah presuming upon the dignity of their Tribe gave them a rough and stout answer and their words were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel This contention the King heard and 't is like was troubled at but not setting himself speedily to compose it being loth to displease either party it brake out into a great inconvenience soon after for seeing Judah challenged so great a part in the King and the King did not contradict it Israel being impatient of such a disparagement resolv'd as it seems they would have no interest in him at all 2 Sam. Ch. 19. from v. 40 to the end 18. The King being now come to Jerusalem he shut up the ten Concubines that had been defiled by Absalom in an house of custody where he provided for them but went not in unto them and so they remained shut up unto the day of their death in a state of widdowhood but though David was come to his Royal City yet his troubles were not yet at an end For as bones new set are easily put out again if great care be not taken so people that have broken out into sedition and are newly quieted are very apt to break out again if they be not charily handled and thus it was with the Israelites at this time for upon this quarrel between them and the men of Judah Sheba a Benjamite by descent but of the hill-country of Ephraim by residence and possibly of the house of Saul having this opportunity out of hatred to David and hope to reduce the Crown back again to that Tribe and Family he blew a Trumpet to assemble the Israelites together who being met he spake to them after this manner You all see my Brethren that we have no part in David nor portion in the Son of Jesse see 1 King 12.16 Alass we are counted pitiful people not worthy to be regarded the men of Judah they are the only brave men they it seems have a King but we have none at least they desire to have him wholly to themselves and for my part let them take him and let us chuse another for our selves who will own us for his subjects let us all now return to our own houses and Tribes and there advise and consider what is fit for us to do in this case The men of Israel readily embraced this motion and leaving David followed Sheba but the men of Judah unanimously followed the King and conducted him from Jordan to Jerusalem David was much startled at this unexpected defection of the Israelites from him and therefore resolves to raise an Army speedily to reduce them in order hereunto he makes Amasa his General being inwardly offended with Joab for slaying Absalom and commands him to assemble the people of Judah within three days and then to come to him and receive further orders This was a short time for so great a work but David thought Expedition absolutely necessary lest Sheba by their delaying should so encrease his numbers and grow so strong that it would be difficult to suppress him But the time being so short and many of the people as 't is like being addicted to their old General Joab who had been successful were loth to engage under this new who had been unprosperous or whatever else the cause was Amasa could not accomplish it within the time limited David being impatient of this delay appoints Abishai to take his own guard viz. the Cherethites and Pelethites and his other servants and attendants who were valiant and faithful men and with them to pursue after Sheba with all speed for says he if this Sheba be not suddenly suppressed he will raise a more dangerous rebellion against me than Absalom did and will with his forces get into fenced Cities and then it may be difficult to deal with him Abishai immediately marched out with that party to seek Sheba with whom some that were formerly under Joab's command joined themselves and as it seems