Sheba (VIII)

VIII. SHEBA, Son of Bichri, of the Tribe of Benjamin, a very turbulent Fellow, who was very near engaging the Israelites in a Civil War. After the Defeat of Absalom, when the Tribe of Judah, without waiting for the other Tribes, came to King David, and brought him over the River Jordan on his Way to Jerusalem; the other Tribes resented the little Notice that was taken of them, and said¹, Why have you taken our King away, and brought him over Jordan without us? Those of Judah answer’d, Because we are most concerned in the King. There was other provoking Language given on both Sides, insomuch that Sheba the Son of Bichri sounded a Trumpet, put himself at the Head of the Mal-contents of Israel, and proclaim’d; We have no Share 2 Sam. xx. 1,2,3,&c.in David, nor any thing to do with the Son of Jesse: O Israel, return every Man to his own House. Thus all Israel forsook David, and followed Sheba.

When David came to Jerusalem, he sent Abishai, with what Troops were at hand, in pursuit of this Traytor. Joab also took the Soldiers under his Command, and crossing over the Country which is to the North of Jerusalem, he arrived at Abel- Beth-maacha a City lying at the Entrance of the Pass that is between Libanus and Antilibanus, whither Sheba was retired, with the Choice of his Army. Joab besieged the Place, and began to demolish the Walls, when a Woman of the City, who was wiser than the rest, spoke to him from the Wall, and asked, If he was come to destroy Abela? Joab answer’d, That he had to do with none but with Sheba the Son of Bichri, who was a Rebel. She told him, That Sheba’s Head should be thrown to him over the Wall. She then persuaded the People to cut off Sheba’s Head, and to throw it to Joab. This was no sooner done, but Joab and his Army retired, without entring into the Town.

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