King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 20:1 Mean?

2 Samuel 20:1 in the King James Version says “And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trum... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

2 Samuel 20:1 · KJV


Context

1

And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

2

So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.

3

And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. ward: Heb. an house of ward shut: Heb. bound living: Heb. in widowhood of life


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Sheba's Rebellion, emphasizing ongoing challenges to authority. Sheba's rebellion demonstrates that David's troubles continue despite Absalom's defeat. The wise woman's intervention prevents unnecessary bloodshed. Theological themes include ongoing resistance to God's appointed leader, the value of wisdom in crisis resolution, the danger of divisive rhetoric, and God's provision of unexpected solutions through unlikely people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 20 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding ongoing challenges to authority provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of ongoing challenges to authority?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְשָׁ֨ם1 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

נִקְרָ֜א2 of 25

And there happened

H7122

to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner

אִ֥ישׁ3 of 25

every

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּלִיַּ֗עַל4 of 25

of Belial

H1100

without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness

וּשְׁמ֛וֹ5 of 25

whose name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שֶׁ֥בַע6 of 25

was Sheba

H7652

sheba, the name of a place in palestine, and of two israelites

בְּבֶן7 of 25

in the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִּכְרִ֖י8 of 25

of Bichri

H1075

bikri, an israelite

אִ֥ישׁ9 of 25

every

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יְמִינִ֑י10 of 25
H3228

a jeminite (collectively) or descendants of jamin

וַיִּתְקַ֣ע11 of 25

and he blew

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

בַּשֹּׁפָ֗ר12 of 25

a trumpet

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר13 of 25

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵֽין14 of 25
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָ֨נוּ15 of 25
H0
חֵ֜לֶק16 of 25

We have no part

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)

בְּדָוִ֗ד17 of 25

in David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְלֹ֤א18 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נַֽחֲלָה19 of 25

neither have we inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

לָ֙נוּ֙20 of 25
H0
בְּבֶן21 of 25

in the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשַׁ֔י22 of 25

of Jesse

H3448

jishai, david's father

אִ֥ישׁ23 of 25

every

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְאֹֽהָלָ֖יו24 of 25

to his tents

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃25 of 25

O Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 20:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 20:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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