2 Samuel 20

Both Judah in the south and the remaining tribes of Israel in the north had sought the return of David to Jerusalem after the death of Absalom. But David's kinsman in Judah were more fervent with their words regarding the king than were the leaders of the other tribes. Given the opportunity to follow Sheba, the son of Bichri, the northern tribes, called “Israel” here, defected to Sheba, whom the Bible calls “a worthless man.”

Joab took advantage of this moment in order to murder Amasa, whom David had put over all the army in place of Joab. One of Joab's men turned the soldiers away from focusing on Amasa's dead body. He shouted out these words: “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.”

With this message uniting their loyalty to Joab with loyalty to David, Joab was able to lead the army in pursuit of Sheba. Trapping Sheba and his men in a walled city, Joab was prepared to do whatever was necessary to defeat the man who would have led Israel away from David. As the providence of God unfolded, Joab would have the head of Sheba, but not by his own sword. A wise woman in that city persuaded the people to turn against Sheba in order to save their lives. These events were recorded for us, so that we might understand how it was that Joab remained in charge of the army even after the king had announced that Amasa would take Joab's place.

Joab was loyal to David, but his loyalty did not extend to letting the mind of David govern his own mind. David did not order the murder of Amasa. That came from Joab's soul. Joab found a way to accomplish his own purposes and still profess his loyalty to David. He was able to lead others back to the king and to be useful in defeating the king's enemies, but there was something lacking in Joab's way of obeying the king. There was too much of Joab in his life and too little of David.

We are called to follow Jesus in a different way than Joab followed David. We have the mind of Christ in us by the Holy Spirit. We are to yield to our Lord's wisdom in every way. He will execute justice according to His holy plans. He calls us to mercy today even toward those that we might consider to be our enemies.

The words of Paul in Philippians 2 show us what it means to truly follow a King who defeated His and our enemies through His own death and resurrection. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” If we want to be fully loyal to Jesus we must love as He loves.