written by Paul Schmitt

Israel was a united kingdom made up of 12 tribes. These tribes often had difficulty agreeing on the goals of the nation as a whole. Tribal jealousies kept Israel from conquering the Promised Land. There was one person in particular that was a troublemaker. His name was Sheba, the son of Bicri, who did not want David to rule over him.

After defeating Absalom, David returned to Jerusalem. Sheba, a Benjamite incited a rebellion against David, so he sent Joab, Abishai, and a small army after him. Joab and his troops besieged the town Abel Beth Maacah, Sheba’s hideout, until the people of that town, finally killed Sheba themselves.

Before that encounter, Joab had met up with Amasa on the road to Abel Beth Maacah. Because of jealousy Joab had towards him, he killed him on the road. Once again, his murderous acts go unpunished, just as it did when he killed Abner earlier in Chapter 3. Eventually, however justice catches up with him in 1 Kings 2: 28-35, where Benaiah was told by King Solomon to strike him down. It may seem that sin and treachery often go unpunished, but God’s justice is not limited to this life’s rewards. Even if Joab had died of old age, he still would have to face God on the day of judgement.

Jealousy may not seem to be a major sin, but in reality, it is one step short of murder. Jealousy starts as you dislike a rival: it leads to your wishing that he or she were removed: then it can manifest itself in your seeking ways to harm that person in word or in action. Beware of jealousy; it is a very dangerous sin. Do not let it get a foothold in your life. Pray to the Lord when you get involved in acts of jealousy or when a relationship starts to become bitter. On the other hand, people may have been jealous towards you and have attacked you in some way. They may be intimidated by your strengths, which make them conscious of their own shortcomings. It would be natural to strike back or to avoid them. A better response is to make friends with them (Matt.5:43-44) and to ask God for the strength to continue to love and forgive them, as David continued on forgiving and loving his own people.

A fellow traveler,
Paul