<\/p>\n
2nd<\/sup> Samuel is the \u201crest of the story\u201d, and it is not preached as often as some other books. The stories of Nathan the prophet, Gad the Seer, and the book of Jasher were all part of the collaboration to make it possible. I\u2019ve been around folks that don\u2019t believe in all that \u201cSpirit stuff\u201d and it strikes me as odd that we see lots of spiritual things in this Old Testament book. Prophets and seers are in Gods\u2019 word. Back in the day we were asked how long would the Spirit dwell among men and signs and wonders be in effect. Some said spiritual manifestations ended with the apostles, some said it ceased after Pentecost. I was taught from Ephesians 4:13-15 \u2013 \u201cuntil we ALL attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. If you\u2019ve done any ministry in the church lately you will know that all unity has not taken place and all knowledge has not been dispensed, we have a ways to go. We need the Spirit, we need the offices, we need the gifts \u2013 some days more than others. Unity in the church and the city is really important.<\/p>\n When you systematically study a book, you get to see the triumphs and the tragedies. We need to go through the entire book, so we learn all the lessons \u2013 not just the super-hero narratives or the victories but the suffering, pressures, etc. This book has a combination of both wins and losses.<\/p>\n This month, I was horrified by some of these stories and for some reason they seemed so much more violent than I had realized. I read numerous commentaries that talked about Davids\u2019 dynasty and its place in history. I read about the pressure he was under and how he cracked under that pressure breaking Gods\u2019 heart and the peoples resolve. It is a fine book of leadership. How many sermons have we heard on Davids’ mighty men? I don\u2019t recall however, ever hearing one about the wise woman in this book. She has challenged me.<\/p>\n There was one phrase that stuck in my heart and pulled me back to the text. I\u2019ll apologize up front because this may seem like a soapbox or perhaps even a political appeal, but I promise you, it\u2019s not– it is more of a passionate plea to step up and to obey God.<\/p>\n Listen to this story in 2 Samuel 22. The context is that David’s’ military leader Joab has a rebel (Sheba) and his men, cornered in the town of Abel-Beth Maacah. They have chased him inside, with his troops, and they are building a way to go in and capture him and possibly all the fortified cities inhabitants.<\/p>\n Then came the desperate cry of a woman in the city, \u201cHear, hear, say I pray you, unto Joab, come here that I may speak with you\u201d. Wise here does not just mean smart but one who is learned, prudent, crafty, shrewd, and educated. It is also used of sailors who know how to maneuver their ships. She’s been around awhile and understands how things work. She cries out twice HEAR, HEAR. The soldiers let her speak \u2013 they made room for her to say what she had to say but first she intreated, beseeched and requested that she be heard. This was her Esther moment.<\/p>\n The word for city in Hebrew is \u201cir\u201d (pronounced ear). This woman in the city is yelling out Shama, Shama, which is an imperative and means listen, listen or hear, hear! She is imploring them to hear her. She pleads and demands that they come near her so she can speak with them.<\/p>\n Her city is besieged. People will die if this continues. In order for salvation to come to the nation someone must stand up. She asks the question \u2013”Art thou Joab\u201d? He answered, \u201cI am\u201d. David’s right hand man is on the scene. <\/p>\n Then she said unto him –HEAR- the words of thine handmaid and Joab answers, \u201cI do hear\u201d. He’s defensive but still listening. Then she spoke saying, \u201cThey were wont to speak in old times, saying they shall surely ask counsel at Abel; and so, they ended the matter. (In contrast) -I am one of them<\/em> that are peaceable and faithful in Israel;<\/p>\n thou seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel;<\/strong><\/p>\n why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?\u201d<\/p>\n Hold up now- Joab, these are the good guys. He needs to slow his roll because he is about to make a big mistake and she points out to him exactly who they are dealing with. It is a crucial moment in time.<\/p>\n He tells her I AM LISTENING. His response is like that of a child being addressed by his mother which is very interesting. She is thwarting his military advance and does not seem to be what he was expecting.<\/p>\n Joab answers \u201cfar be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy\u201d.<\/p>\n \u2026”then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the King.” Note that these relationships would have been fostered and developed before this crucial moment. Talk about courage, boldness and faith! <\/p>\n