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 20:1KJV
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2 Samuel 20:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 20:1 mean?

2 Samuel 20:1 describes how a man named Sheba, called a "man of Belial" (meaning a wicked or worthless person), started a rebellion against King David by declaring that the people of Israel had no share or inheritance with David, urging everyone to return to their own homes. This verse marks the beginning of a new conflict for David, right after the trouble with Absalom.

Sheba, who is identified as a Benjamite (from the tribe of Benjamin), blows a trumpet to get attention and publicly calls for Israel to break away from David’s rule. The phrase "man of Belial" signals that Sheba is seen as a troublemaker or someone acting against God's order. This event takes place just as David is trying to restore his kingdom after previous unrest, showing how fragile his hold on the nation still is.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 20:1

  • בְּלִיַּעַל (beliyya‘al, "Belial"): This word means "worthless" or "wicked" and is used here to label Sheba as someone acting in open rebellion and moral opposition, not just a political rival.
  • חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, "part"): When Sheba says, "We have no part in David," the word suggests a share, portion, or stake in David’s kingship, emphasizing a total rejection of his authority.
  • נַחֲלָה (naḥălāh, "inheritance"): This word refers to a lasting possession or heritage, often with covenant or family overtones. By denying any "inheritance in the son of Jesse," Sheba is rejecting any claim or connection to David’s dynasty.

Why 2 Samuel 20:1 matters

  • This verse shows that even after Absalom’s rebellion, David’s rule was still unstable, with deep divisions remaining among the tribes of Israel.
  • The use of "man of Belial" highlights that Sheba’s actions are not just political but are seen as morally and spiritually wrong in the narrative.
  • The call for everyone to return "to his tents" echoes earlier moments in Israel’s history when the people withdrew from a leader, showing a recurring pattern of disunity and the challenges of holding the nation together.

Where else these words appear

“Bichri” Hebrew H1075 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Samuel 20:2 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.
  • 2 Samuel 20:7 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.
  • 2 Samuel 20:13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

“Sheba” Hebrew H7652 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 19:2 And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,
  • 2 Samuel 20:7 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.
  • 2 Samuel 20:21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.

“happened” Hebrew H7122 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 42:4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
  • Leviticus 10:19 And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD?
  • Job 4:14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

“Benjamite” Hebrew H1145 · used in 18 verses

  • Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
  • Judges 20:43 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
  • 2 Samuel 19:16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.