Was Joab justified in killing Amasa to protect David’s kingdom—or was this a sinful power grab?

Joab’s actions reveal ambition and a lack of accountability. Though he removed a threat, his method undermined righteous authority.

How can believers pursue peace without compromising righteousness?

True peace flows from godly wisdom, humility, and trust in the Lord—not from manipulation or unjust compromise.

July 20, 2025 – 2 Samuel 20:1–26

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 1 min read

🎙️ Rebellion and Wisdom – 2 Samuel 20:1–26

Show Title: Reading the Bible Daily with Dave
Air Date: July 20, 2025

📖 Episode Summary

In today’s passage, Sheba’s rebellion fractures Israel’s fragile unity. Joab’s ambition resurfaces, but it’s the wisdom of an unnamed woman that spares a city from destruction. Through the chaos, we see our need for a King greater than David—one who brings lasting peace and righteous rule. That King is Christ.

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🧠 Key Points

Fragile Unity: Israel’s quick descent into division shows how unstable human kingdoms are.
Unchecked Ambition: Joab’s murder of Amasa is a warning against power without accountability.
Wisdom in Crisis: A wise woman’s diplomacy prevents the destruction of Abel—a picture of godly intervention.
Christ-Centered Contrast: Jesus is the Shepherd-King who lays down His life rather than taking it.

📖 Memory Verse

2 Samuel 20:20
“Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy!”

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Dave Jenkins( Executive Director )

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.