1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,160 Speaker 1: Let us pray the matter is not so. But a 2 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:08,840 Speaker 1: man of Mount Ephriem Sheba, son of Bitchery, by name 3 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: Hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. 4 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,600 Speaker 1: Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. 5 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:22,599 Speaker 1: And the woman said, and to Joab behold, his head 6 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: shall be thrown to thee over the wall. Second Samuel 7 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one. Dear God, when the enemy comes in 8 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: like an agent of chaos, I thank you God that 9 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:38,559 Speaker 1: you will raise up support systems to help me accomplish 10 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: and fulfill the mission You've placed on my life. I 11 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 1: will use your word like a battering ram to break 12 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 1: down the walls of chaos surrounding my future. I thank 13 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: you that even in the midst of my fight for 14 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 1: truth and freedom, you will bring people into my life 15 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: that will fight alongside me and will help deliver me 16 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: from the hands of my enemies, like you did for 17 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:07,560 Speaker 1: David and Absalom. I declare that because I am in 18 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: step with you, God, time is for me and not 19 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:14,679 Speaker 1: against me. I declare that it is only a matter 20 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: of time before the head of division and tension is 21 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 1: severed from the body of strife in my life. The 22 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 1: victory is mine and only in your power God is 23 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 1: true peace restored. Thank you that today is the day 24 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: that I receive rest and freedom in Jesus name. Amen, 25 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. Continue listening for 26 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: an incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible in 27 00:01:48,200 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 1: a Year dot com, The Death of she Bah. In 28 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:05,920 Speaker 1: our last story, Sheba began a revolt against David, and 29 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: many people gathered to defy David in the streets of Israel. David, 30 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 1: knowing that Sheba's rebellion could topple Israel, sent his strongest 31 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 1: men in pursuit of him. And this story, Joe ab 32 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 1: and Abashei prepared their attack against Sheba. However, their preparation 33 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 1: turns out to be in vain as the people of 34 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,080 Speaker 1: Israel come to their senses inspired by the Book of 35 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:36,080 Speaker 1: Second Samuel. Hello, this is Jack Graham with today's episode 36 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,960 Speaker 1: of the Bible in a Year podcast. In our last episode, 37 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: we saw that David returned to Jerusalem seeking peace, not war, 38 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 1: with those who had opposed him. He forgave those who 39 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:51,080 Speaker 1: repented for having followed Absalom, even when his advisers pushed 40 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 1: for harsh judgment. The people began to see that David 41 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:57,040 Speaker 1: wanted what was best for them and could be trusted 42 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: the lead with integrity and kindness. But as we also learned, 43 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: not all were quick to follow, and Sheba in Benjamin 44 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: started to mount an insurrection that was a true threat 45 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: to the nation. David knew that this call for decisive action, 46 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: so he sent his men to deal with Sheba and 47 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: his army. To day, we'll hear how the conflict comes 48 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 1: to a head, and how Sheba's efforts proved fruitless as 49 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: the people open their eyes and see Sheba for the 50 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:29,959 Speaker 1: liar that he is. So let's listen now to today's reading. 51 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 1: Sheba's rebellion spread like a plague through the tribes of Israel. 52 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: Sheba would blow trumpets and stir up the people into 53 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: a frenzy of fear and doubt. Sheba was an agent 54 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: of chaos, a true antagonist whose only agenda was to 55 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: watch David's kingdom crumble. He paced the countryside, sewing whispers 56 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: of dissension and seeds of corruption. Eventually he made his 57 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 1: way to the city of Abel. All the members of 58 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: his clan and all the rebels he could assemble, prepared 59 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 1: for the inevitable battle that awaited. Them. Sheba prepared the 60 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 1: walls for impact and braced the city gates so an 61 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: army could not penetrate it. The people of Abel watched 62 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 1: as Sheba and his men sharpened their swords and fortified 63 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:23,240 Speaker 1: the bebricades. The people grew concerned, so Sheba once again 64 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 1: told lies, saying, David and Joab desire to destroy your city. 65 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 1: They want to burn it to the ground. We are 66 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:35,159 Speaker 1: here to protect you. So the people allowed Sheba to 67 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,599 Speaker 1: make their city his own personal fortress in hopes he 68 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: would protect him. A few miles away, Joab and Abershei 69 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:45,720 Speaker 1: were strategizing. They camped near a small town on the 70 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:49,839 Speaker 1: outskirts of Abel with their army. Joab and Abershei planned 71 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: all night. They knew that they outnumbered Sheba. However, he 72 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:57,800 Speaker 1: and his men had fortified themselves among innocent people. They 73 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 1: needed to be tactful and cautious. In the morning, they 74 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: had their men build a battering ram to demolish the 75 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 1: city gates. The only way they could find Siba without 76 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 1: setting fire to the city was through the gate. It 77 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:13,359 Speaker 1: was their only chance, and they had to topple the 78 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:18,760 Speaker 1: gate flawlessly. The men marched forward towards abel Shiba watched 79 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 1: them through cracks in the walls. He chuckled to himself, 80 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 1: for he knew that if they made it through the gate, 81 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: his men would have the advantage. It was a thin entrance, 82 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:32,719 Speaker 1: and they would be easy kills. It took dozens of 83 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 1: men to carry the battering ram. They charged the gate 84 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: and delivered the first blow thud. The gate did not much. 85 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:45,239 Speaker 1: They drew back again and charged Thad. The gate rattled 86 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 1: slightly but did not crack. Joab had them step back 87 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:52,040 Speaker 1: even further, and the men ran with the battering ram 88 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 1: as fast as they could Thad small cracks could be 89 00:05:56,560 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: seen through the beams holding up the gate. Just a 90 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 1: few more or and they would be in. Joab told 91 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:05,480 Speaker 1: his men to draw back again when he was interrupted 92 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:10,280 Speaker 1: by a scream, Are you Joab? He heard calling from nearby. 93 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:13,520 Speaker 1: Joab looked to his left and saw a woman running 94 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:17,160 Speaker 1: towards him. She was a beautiful woman, touched slightly with 95 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 1: age and experience. A few gray streaks fell down her 96 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: long hair. Joab told his men to stop and met 97 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: her a few yards away. The woman had an intense 98 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: gaze as she met Joab. Her voice was bold, and 99 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 1: she spoke with the authority of her people, saying, there 100 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,880 Speaker 1: used to be a saying here. If arguments need to 101 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: be settled, ask for the wisdom of the city of Abel. 102 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: We love peace here in the city and will not 103 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 1: have you destroy it. Joab looked at her, confused. She 104 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,039 Speaker 1: spoke to him as if they were trying to burn 105 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:53,080 Speaker 1: the city down. The woman continued, saying, this is an 106 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: important city to the lord. Why would the king want 107 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: to devour it. Joab raised his hands to his chest 108 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 1: and said, believe me, I do not want to destroy Abel. 109 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 1: We are not here for that. In your city is 110 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 1: a man named Sheba. He is a rebel and has 111 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: started a revolt against King David. He is dangerous to 112 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: anyone who is near him. We are simply here for him. 113 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:19,559 Speaker 1: The woman looked into Joab's eyes in order to judge 114 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:23,760 Speaker 1: his sincerity. The two spoke for a while longer. Joab 115 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 1: explained all of Sheba's lies and the chaos he had 116 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: caused in the country. After a few minutes, Joab felt 117 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 1: comfortable enough to say, if you bring him to us, 118 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 1: there will be no need to destroy anything. We do 119 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: not want anybody to be harmed. The woman looked back 120 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 1: to the city. Thinking for a long moment, she turned 121 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 1: to Joab and said, we will do it with that. 122 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 1: The woman snuck back into the city and spoke to 123 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 1: all her people. They argued for a few hours, but 124 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:57,960 Speaker 1: ultimately agreed that Sheba was deceiving them. Sheba was still 125 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 1: chuckling through the cracks of the wall, thinking it was 126 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 1: only a matter of time before they bowed at his feet, 127 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 1: begging for mercy. As he was crouching, a shadow blocked 128 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 1: the sunlight behind him. Sheba looked up to a few 129 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: of the people standing over him with their swords. Before 130 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: he could say a word, the woman swooped her sword 131 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: through his neck and his head fell to the floor. 132 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 1: Joab and abersh I were standing still with their men. 133 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 1: They hoped that people would follow through, but were still 134 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 1: prepared to take the city by force if it was needed. 135 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,679 Speaker 1: Joab looked towards the sun, trying to determine the time 136 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 1: of day. Then, in an instant he saw Sheba's head 137 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: flying towards him. Joab stepped back as Sheba's head landed 138 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 1: at his feet. The men cheered and put down the 139 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: battering ram. Joab looked to the top of the gate 140 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 1: to see the woman looking down at him. They exchanged smiles, 141 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 1: and Joab took his army and returned to Jerusalem. As 142 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 1: we begin today, Sheba is continuing to spread lies and 143 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:05,319 Speaker 1: confusion throughout the kingdom. Like Absalom before him, his primary 144 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: tactic was one of disinformation and sowing distrust. Satan is 145 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: the father of lies and the author of chaos and confusion, 146 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: and like Absalom, this man, Siba was acting as an 147 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 1: agent of the enemy, the devil, reflecting Satan's nature, not God's. 148 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:26,839 Speaker 1: Shiba and his supporters made their way to a city 149 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:30,920 Speaker 1: name Abel and began fortifying its walls in preparation for battle. 150 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 1: He knew he would need the support of the people 151 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 1: of Abel, and what better way to win them over 152 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 1: than to convince them that David intended to destroy their city. 153 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: So that's what he told the residents of Abel, saying 154 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 1: that David and his commander Joeb would stop it nothing 155 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,040 Speaker 1: to destroy them, even burning the city to the ground. 156 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 1: Shiba told them not to worry, though he was there 157 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: to help crafty lies meant to undermine the king and 158 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 1: lead the people astray. As David's men drew up plans 159 00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: for attack, not far away. Their intentions were clearly not 160 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 1: for destruction and devastation. They could have easily destroyed the 161 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 1: whole city, but it was only Sheba they needed, and 162 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,479 Speaker 1: if they could only tear down the gate, the collateral 163 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: damage would be minimal. So they approached Abel and begin 164 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 1: ramming the gate with a battering ram as Shiba hid inside, 165 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 1: certain that the people would rally to help him fight 166 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 1: off joe AB's men. But the people of Abel were 167 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 1: truly peaceful, and as joe AB's men struck the gate 168 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:34,720 Speaker 1: over and over again, a wise woman approached them and 169 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: asked why they would want to destroy a city like Abel, 170 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: whose people were faithful to Israel. Joeab responds in Second 171 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: Samuel twenty versus twenty and twenty one, joe Ab answered, 172 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 1: far be it from me, Far be it that I 173 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 1: should swallow up or destroy? That is not true. But 174 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 1: a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba, 175 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:59,679 Speaker 1: the son of Bishri, has lifted up his hand against King. 176 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 1: Dave it give up him alone, and I will withdraw 177 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: from the city. The woman could tell joe Ebb was 178 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: being truthful, and she returned to the city and convinced 179 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:13,800 Speaker 1: the people that it was Sheba who had evil intentions, 180 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:16,679 Speaker 1: so they struck him down, cutting off his head and 181 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 1: threw it over the wall to joe Ebb. In the end, 182 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:26,080 Speaker 1: lies will never defeat God's truth, and Sheba's campaigned to 183 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:29,760 Speaker 1: overthrow David ended without a war as the people's eyes 184 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 1: were opened to see the deception of this one man. 185 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 1: Joe Ebb and his men returned to Jerusalem, and now 186 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 1: David could continue the task of putting things right again. 187 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 1: We'll hear about this the next time. Dear God, we 188 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 1: thank you for this message, even though it is hard 189 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 1: to hear and contains violence, and yet we know that 190 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 1: evil will not prevail against you, that you overcome evil 191 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 1: with good and darkness with light. We thank you that 192 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:03,079 Speaker 1: in Jesus Christ, we have victory over all the works 193 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: of the enemy. May we always be truthful in our 194 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: words and live with integrity, so that when people refer 195 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 1: to us, they know that we are speaking truth in 196 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: Jesus name. Amen. Thank you so very much for listening 197 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: to Today's Bible in a Year podcast. We are so 198 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 1: very grateful for the millions of people who have downloaded 199 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 1: this podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham, and when you download 200 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:32,479 Speaker 1: the prey dot com app and make it a priority 201 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: in your life to listen to God's word. Your life 202 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:38,360 Speaker 1: truly will be changed. We are hearing reports from so 203 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 1: many of the power of God's Word in their lives. 204 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 1: So let me encourage you to pass this podcast onto others, 205 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 1: to share it with someone you know, someone you care about, 206 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 1: because the Word of God truly will change lives. And 207 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: if you want more resources on how to experience God's 208 00:12:57,040 --> 00:13:00,679 Speaker 1: power in your life, be sure to visit Jack Graham 209 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 1: dot org. We would love to connect with you and 210 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:07,439 Speaker 1: for you to connect with us again. That's Jack Graham 211 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 1: dot org. God bless you. This episode is sponsored by Medician, 212 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: an innovative healthcare solution for Christians to save money without 213 00:13:21,679 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 1: sacrificing quality