King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 20:6 Mean?

2 Samuel 20:6 in the King James Version says “And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's serv... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. escape: Heb. deliver himself from our eyes

2 Samuel 20:6 · KJV


Context

4

Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. Assemble: Heb. Call

5

So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. Assemble: Heb. Call

6

And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. escape: Heb. deliver himself from our eyes

7

And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

8

When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

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.

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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 · 26 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 26

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִד֙2 of 26

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲבִישַׁ֔י4 of 26

to Abishai

H52

abishai, an israelite

עַתָּ֗ה5 of 26
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יֵ֧רַֽע6 of 26

do us more harm

H3415

properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e., (figuratively) to fear

לָ֛נוּ7 of 26
H0
שֶׁ֥בַע8 of 26

Now shall Sheba

H7652

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

בֶּן9 of 26

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

בִּכְרִ֖י10 of 26

of Bichri

H1075

bikri, an israelite

מִן11 of 26
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם12 of 26

than did Absalom

H53

abshalom, a son of david; also (the fuller form) a later israelite

אַ֠תָּה13 of 26
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

קַ֞ח14 of 26

take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת15 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַבְדֵ֤י16 of 26

servants

H5650

a servant

אֲדֹנֶ֙יךָ֙17 of 26

thou thy lord's

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וּרְדֹ֣ף18 of 26

and pursue

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אַֽחֲרָ֔יו19 of 26

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

פֶּן20 of 26
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

מָ֥צָא21 of 26

him lest he get

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

ל֛וֹ22 of 26
H0
עָרִ֥ים23 of 26

cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּצֻר֖וֹת24 of 26

him fenced

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

וְהִצִּ֥יל25 of 26

and escape

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

עֵינֵֽנוּ׃26 of 26

us

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)


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 20:6 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 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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