1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,240 Speaker 1: Let us pray the matter is not so. But a 2 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 1: man of Mount Ephrium Sheba, son of Bitchery, by name 3 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:13,360 Speaker 1: Hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. 4 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:17,600 Speaker 1: Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,639 Speaker 1: And the woman said, and a joab behold, his head 6 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:26,760 Speaker 1: shall be thrown to thee over the wall. Second Samuel 7 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:31,400 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one. Dear God, when the enemy comes in 8 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: like an agent of chaos, I thank you God that 9 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: you will raise up support systems to help me accomplish 10 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: and fulfill the mission You've placed on my life. I 11 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:46,520 Speaker 1: will use your word like a battering ramp to break 12 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 1: down the walls of chaos surrounding my future. I thank 13 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: you that even in the midst of my fight for 14 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 1: truth and freedom, you will bring people into my life 15 00:00:57,440 --> 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 --> 00:01:07,600 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 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 1: against me. I declare that it is only a matter 20 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: of time before the head of division and tension is 21 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:22,720 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 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:32,320 Speaker 1: true peace restored. Thank you that today is the day 24 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: that I receive rest and freedom in Jesus name. Amen, 25 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. Continue listening for 26 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: an incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible in 27 00:01:48,200 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 1: a Year dot com. 28 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 2: The Death of Sheep. In our last story, Sheba began 29 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 2: a revolt against David, and many people gathered to defy 30 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:12,079 Speaker 2: David in the streets of Israel. David, knowing that Sheba's 31 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 2: rebellion could topple Israel, sent his strongest men in pursuit 32 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 2: of him. In this story, Joe Aben Abashi prepare their 33 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 2: attack against Sheba. However, their preparation turns out to be 34 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 2: in vain as the people of Israel come to their 35 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:31,119 Speaker 2: senses inspired by the Book of Second Samuel. 36 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Jack Graham with today's episode of the 37 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. In our last episode, we 38 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 3: saw that David returned to Jerusalem seeking peace, not war, 39 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 3: with those who had opposed him. He forgave those who 40 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:51,080 Speaker 3: repented for having followed Absalom, even when his advisors pushed 41 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 3: for harsh judgment. The people began to see that David 42 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:57,079 Speaker 3: wanted what was best for them and could be trusted 43 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 3: the lead with integrity and kindness. But as we also learned, 44 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 3: not all were quick to follow, and Sheba in Benjamin 45 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 3: started to mount an insurrection that was a true threat 46 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:12,960 Speaker 3: to the nation. David knew that this call for decisive action, 47 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 3: so he sent his men to deal with Sheba and 48 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 3: his army. Today we'll hear how the conflict comes to 49 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 3: a head and how Sheba's efforts prove fruitless as the 50 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 3: people opened their eyes and see Sheba for the liar 51 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 3: that he is. So let's listen now to today's reading. 52 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 2: Sheba's rebellion spread like a plague through the tribes of Israel. 53 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 2: Sheba would blow trumpets and stir up the people into 54 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 2: a frenzy of fear and doubt. Sheba was an agent 55 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 2: of chaos, a true antagonist whose only agenda was to 56 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 2: watch David's kingdom crumble. He paced the countryside, swing whispers 57 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 2: of dissension and seeds of corruption. Eventually he made his 58 00:03:57,000 --> 00:04:00,080 Speaker 2: way to the city of Abel. All the members of 59 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 2: his clan and all the rebels he could assemble, prepared 60 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 2: for the inevitable battle that awaited them. Sba prepared the 61 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 2: walls for impact and braced the city gates so an 62 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 2: army could not penetrate it. The people of Abel watched 63 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 2: as Sheba and his men sharpened their swords and fortified 64 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:23,279 Speaker 2: the barricades. The people grew concerned, so Sheba once again 65 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 2: told lies, saying, David and Joab desire to destroy your city. 66 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 2: They want to burn it to the ground. We are 67 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:35,159 Speaker 2: here to protect you. So the people allowed Sheba to 68 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 2: make their city his own personal fortress in hopes he 69 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 2: would protect him. A few miles away, Joe Abin Abershire 70 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 2: was strategizing. They camped near a small town on the 71 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 2: outskirts of Abel with their army. Joe Ab and Abershire 72 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 2: planned all night. They knew that they outnumbered Sheba. However, 73 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 2: he and his men had fortified themselves among innocent people. 74 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 2: They needed to be tactful and cautious. In the morning, 75 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 2: they had their men build a battering ram to demolish 76 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 2: the city gates. The only way they could find Shiba 77 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:10,000 Speaker 2: without setting fire to the city was through the gate. 78 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:13,280 Speaker 2: It was their only chance, and they had to topple 79 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:18,359 Speaker 2: the gate flawlessly. The men marched forward towards Abel. Shiba 80 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 2: watched them through cracks in the walls. It chuckled to himself, 81 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 2: for he knew that if they made it through the gate, 82 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 2: his men would have the advantage. It was a thin entrance, 83 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 2: and they would be easy kills. It took dozens of 84 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 2: men to carry the battering ram. They charged the gate 85 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 2: and delivered the first blow thud. The gate did not budge. 86 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:45,279 Speaker 2: They drew back again and charged thud. The gate rattled 87 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 2: slightly but did not crack. Joe Ab had them step 88 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 2: back even further, and the men ran with the battering 89 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:53,239 Speaker 2: ram as fast as they could. 90 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 3: Thud. 91 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 2: Small cracks could be seen through the beams holding up 92 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 2: the gate. Just a few more and they would be in. 93 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 2: Joab told his men to draw back again when he 94 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 2: was interrupted by a scream, Are you joe Ab? He 95 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 2: heard calling from nearby. Joab looked to his left and 96 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:15,799 Speaker 2: saw a woman running towards him. She was a beautiful woman, 97 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 2: touched slightly with age and experience. A few gray streaks 98 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,479 Speaker 2: fell down her long hair. Joab told his men to 99 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 2: stop and met her a few yards away. The woman 100 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 2: had an intense gaze as she met Joab. Her voice 101 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 2: was bold, and she spoke with the authority of her people, saying, 102 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 2: there used to be a saying here. If arguments need 103 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:39,479 Speaker 2: to be settled, ask for the wisdom of the city 104 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 2: of Abel. We love peace here in the city and 105 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:46,560 Speaker 2: will not have you destroy it. Joab looked at her, confused. 106 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:48,839 Speaker 2: She spoke to him as if they were trying to 107 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:52,920 Speaker 2: burn the city down. The woman continued, saying, this is 108 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 2: an important city to the lord. Why would the king 109 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 2: want to devour it. Joab raised his hands to his 110 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 2: chest and said, believe me, I do not want to 111 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 2: destroy Abel. We are not here for that. In your 112 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:08,839 Speaker 2: city is a man named Sheba. He is a rebel 113 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 2: and has started a revolt against King David. He is 114 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 2: dangerous to anyone who. 115 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 3: Is near him. 116 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 2: We are simply here for him. The woman looked into 117 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,360 Speaker 2: Joab's eyes in order to judge his sincerity. The two 118 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 2: spoke for a while longer. Joab explained all of Sheba's 119 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 2: lies and the chaos he had caused in the country. 120 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:32,119 Speaker 2: After a few minutes, Joab felt comfortable enough to say, 121 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:34,880 Speaker 2: if you bring him to us, there will be no 122 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 2: need to destroy anything. We do not want anybody to 123 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 2: be harmed. The woman looked back to the city. Thinking 124 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,360 Speaker 2: for a long moment, she turned to Joab and said, 125 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 2: we will do it with that. The woman snuck back 126 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 2: into the city and spoke to all her people. They 127 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 2: argued for a few hours, but ultimately agreed that Sheba 128 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 2: was deceiving them. Sheba was still chuckling through the cracks 129 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 2: of the wall, thinking it was only a matter of 130 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 2: time before they bowed at his feet, begging for mercy. 131 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 2: As he was crouching, a shadow blocked the sunlight behind him. 132 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 2: Shiba looked up to a few of the people standing 133 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 2: over him with their swords. Before he could say a word, 134 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 2: the woman swooped her sword through his neck and his 135 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 2: head fell to the floor. Joab and abersh I were 136 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: standing still with their men. They hoped that people would 137 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 2: follow through, but were still prepared to take the city 138 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: by force if it was needed. Joab looked towards the sun, 139 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 2: trying to determine the time of day. Then, in an 140 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 2: instant he saw Sheba's head flying towards him. Joab stepped 141 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 2: back as Sheba's head landed at his feet. The men 142 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 2: cheered and put down the battering ram. Joab looked to 143 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 2: the top of the gate to see the woman looking 144 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 2: down at him. They exchanged smiles, and Joab took his 145 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:56,839 Speaker 2: army and returned to Jerusalem. 146 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 3: As we begin today, Sheba is continuing to spread eyes 147 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:04,679 Speaker 3: and confusion throughout the kingdom. Like Absalom before him, his 148 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:10,439 Speaker 3: primary tactic was one of disinformation and sowing distrust. Satan 149 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 3: is the father of lies and the author of chaos 150 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 3: in confusion, and like Absalom, this man Sheba was acting 151 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 3: as an agent of the enemy, the devil, reflecting Satan's nature, 152 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 3: not God's. Sheba and his supporters made their way to 153 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:29,680 Speaker 3: a city named Abel and began fortifying its walls in 154 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:33,319 Speaker 3: preparation for battle. He knew he would need the support 155 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 3: of the people of Abel, and what better way to 156 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,559 Speaker 3: win them over than to convince them that David intended 157 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 3: to destroy their city. So that's what he told the 158 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:44,719 Speaker 3: residents of Abel, saying that David and his commander joe 159 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:48,000 Speaker 3: Ab would stop at nothing to destroy them, even burning 160 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 3: the city to the ground. Sheba told them not to worry, 161 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 3: though he was there to help crafty lies meant to 162 00:09:55,840 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 3: undermine the king and lead the people astray. As David's 163 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:03,320 Speaker 3: men drew up plans for attack, not far away. Their 164 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 3: intentions were clearly not for destruction and devastation. They could 165 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:10,520 Speaker 3: have easily destroyed the whole city, but it was only 166 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 3: Sheiba they needed, and if they could only tear down 167 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 3: the gate, the collateral damage would be minimal. So they 168 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 3: approached Abel and began ramming the gate with a battering 169 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:24,319 Speaker 3: ram as Shiba hid inside, certain that the people would 170 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 3: rally to help him fight off Joeab's men. But the 171 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 3: people of Abel were truly peaceful, and as Joab's men 172 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 3: struck the gate over and over again, a wise woman 173 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 3: approached them and ask why they would want to destroy 174 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 3: a city like Abel, whose people were faithful to Israel. 175 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 3: Joeab responds in Second Samuel twenty versus twenty and twenty one, 176 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 3: Joeab answered, far be it from me, Far be it 177 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 3: that I should swallow up or destroy. That is not true. 178 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 3: But a man of the hill country of Euphraim, called Sheba, 179 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 3: the son of Bishri, has lifted up his hand against 180 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 3: King David. It give up him alone, and I will 181 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 3: withdraw from the city. The woman could tell Joeb was 182 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 3: being truthful, and she returned to the city and convinced 183 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:13,479 Speaker 3: the people that it was Sheba who had evil intentions, 184 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 3: so they struck him down, cutting off his head and 185 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 3: threw it over the wall to Joeeb. In the end, 186 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 3: lies will never defeat God's truth, and Sheiba's campaign to 187 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,760 Speaker 3: overthrow David ended without a war. As the people's eyes 188 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 3: were open to see the deception of this one man. 189 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 3: Joeb and his men returned to Jerusalem, and now David 190 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 3: could continue the task of putting things right again. We'll 191 00:11:41,120 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 3: hear about this the next time. Dear God, we thank 192 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 3: you for this message, even though it is hard to 193 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 3: hear and contains violence, and yet we know that evil 194 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 3: will not prevail against you, that you overcome evil with 195 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:59,719 Speaker 3: good and darkness with light. We thank you that in 196 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:03,280 Speaker 3: Jesus Christ, we have victory over all the works of 197 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 3: the enemy. May we always be truthful in our words 198 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 3: and live with integrity, so that when people refer to us, 199 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 3: they know that we are speaking truth in Jesus's name. Amen. 200 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 3: Thank you so very much for listening to today's Bible 201 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 3: in a Year podcast. We are so very grateful for 202 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 3: the millions of people who have downloaded this podcast. I'm 203 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 3: Pastor Jack Graham, and when you download Theprey dot Com 204 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 3: app and make it a priority in your life to 205 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 3: listen to God's word. Your life truly will be changed. 206 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 3: We are hearing reports from so many of the power 207 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 3: of God's Word in their lives. So let me encourage 208 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 3: you to pass this podcast onto others, to share it 209 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 3: with someone you know, someone you care about, because the 210 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:53,719 Speaker 3: Word of God truly will change lives. And if you 211 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:57,720 Speaker 3: want more resources on how to experience God's power in 212 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 3: your life, be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. 213 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 3: We would love to connect with you and for you 214 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 3: to connect with us again. That's Jack Graham dot org. 215 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 3: God bless you.