2 Samuel 20:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A worthless agitator named Sheba sounds a trumpet and calls Israel to abandon David and go home.
What Does 2 Samuel 20:1 Mean?
David is returning to Jerusalem after Absalom's revolt, and the northern tribes and Judah are quarreling over who loves the king most. Into that raw moment steps Sheba, a Benjamite of Saul's old tribe, who seizes the discontent and turns it into open rebellion with a single blast of the trumpet.
His cry, 'We have no part in David,' is the language of rejection, and it would echo darkly down the centuries. Where the people should have rallied to their anointed king, a bitter voice persuaded them to scatter. It is a sober picture of how quickly a heart already divided will follow whoever shouts loudest, and a reminder to cling to the King who will never fail us.
2 Samuel 20:1 in the Original Language
belial (בְּלִיַּעַל), 'worthless' -- a term for one given over to wickedness and ruin.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 20:1
What does 2 Samuel 20:1 mean?
A worthless agitator named Sheba sounds a trumpet and calls Israel to abandon David and go home.