2 Samuel 20 22

2 Samuel 20:22 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 20:22 nkjv

Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 20:22 niv

Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 20:22 esv

Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

2 Samuel 20:22 nlt

Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba's head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram's horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 20 verses

2 Samuel 20 22 Meaning

This verse succinctly concludes the military campaign against Sheba's rebellion. It describes Joab, David's military commander, blowing a trumpet to signal the end of the siege at Abel of Beth-maachah. Consequently, all the Israelite soldiers immediately dispersed, returning to their respective homes. Joab himself then returned to Jerusalem, signaling the successful resolution of the rebellion and the restoration of order in the kingdom.

2 Samuel 20 22 Context

This verse immediately follows the climax of Sheba's rebellion, a dangerous internal uprising against King David following Absalom's defeat. Joab, leading David's army, had pursued Sheba to Abel of Beth-maachah and began a full-scale siege. The critical turning point came in 2 Samuel 20:16-21, where a "wise woman" from the besieged city intervened, calling for a parley with Joab. Through shrewd negotiation, she convinced Joab to spare the city if Sheba, the rebel leader, was delivered. The city's inhabitants then executed Sheba and threw his head over the wall to Joab. Verse 22 describes the direct consequence of this successful, bloodless (for the city) resolution. It marks the abrupt end of hostilities, demonstrating the decisive nature of Joab's command and the practicality of resolving conflict to preserve lives and resources when possible. It also showcases David's reliance on Joab for military solutions despite their often strained relationship.

2 Samuel 20 22 Word analysis

• Then Joab (וַיִּתְקַע יוֹאָב - wa·yit·qa‘ yo·'av): "Joab" (יוֹאָב) is David's seasoned and effective, though often ruthless, military commander. The verb wa·yit·qa‘ (from תָּקַע - taqa‘) means "he blew" or "he thrust." It implies a forceful and definitive action, signaling a command or decision, not merely a soft sound. This highlights Joab's authority and control over the army's actions and movements.
• blew the trumpet (הַשּׁוֹפָר - hash·sho·far): The "shofar" (שֹּׁופָר) is a ram's horn, an ancient instrument with significant symbolic and practical use in Israel. It served multiple purposes: signaling war (Judg 3:27), gathering assemblies (Num 10:2), sounding alarms (Joel 2:1), and even announcing kings (1 Kgs 1:34, 39). Here, it is specifically used to signal the cessation of military operations and the disbandment of the army. Its blast indicates a clear, widely understood command.
• and all the people (כָּל־הָעָם - kol-ha·'am): This refers to the entirety of the military forces under Joab's command. It underscores the complete and collective response to the given command.
• dispersed (וַיָּפֻצוּ - wa·ya·fu·tsu): From the verb פּוּץ - putz, meaning "to scatter," "spread abroad," or "disperse." In this military context, it signifies an orderly demobilization or retreat, not a chaotic scattering. They were no longer massed for battle or siege.
• from the city (מֵעַל הָעִיר - me·'al ha·'ir): Literally "from upon the city." It indicates their immediate withdrawal from the elevated positions and siege works they had established around Abel of Beth-maachah.
• each to his tent (אִישׁ לְאֹהָלָיו - ish lə·'o·ha·lav): This is a widely used idiom in the Old Testament, signifying a return to one's home, family, or normal habitation, often after a period of collective action such as war or assembly (e.g., Judg 7:8, 1 Kgs 12:16). While some soldiers might have lived in actual tents during campaigns, "tent" here serves as a metaphor for one's dwelling or homestead, marking the transition from military duty to civilian life.
• Joab then returned to Jerusalem (וְיוֹאָב שָׁב יְרוּשָׁלַיִם - wə·yo·'av shav Yərushalayim): This concludes the commander's part of the operation. Joab's return to the capital, David's seat of power, symbolizes the successful completion of his mission, the restoration of royal authority throughout the kingdom, and his ongoing indispensable, albeit often problematic, role in David's court.

Words-group analysis:

• "Joab blew the trumpet": This phrase epitomizes Joab's ultimate authority and control over the army, signaling the decisive end to a significant military campaign. It marks his initiative in concluding hostilities rather than waiting for further royal decrees.
• "all the people dispersed from the city, each to his tent": This idiom vividly describes the immediate and orderly demobilization of the army. It marks the shift from a collective, military state to individual domestic life, signifying the restoration of peace and the successful conclusion of their mission.
• "Joab then returned to Jerusalem": This phrase not only confirms the commander's successful mission completion but also implicitly asserts his return to his position of power at the royal court, highlighting his continued vital role in maintaining the kingdom's security.

2 Samuel 20 22 Bonus section

• The contrast in this narrative is stark: the brute force and siege tactics employed by Joab's army are ultimately brought to an end, not by a head-on battle, but by the strategic wisdom and negotiation of a single woman (2 Sam 20:16-21). This illustrates that not all victories are won purely by military might, and discernment can often be more potent than destruction.
• The phrase "each to his tent" serves as a repeated refrain in the Bible (e.g., Judg 7:8; 1 Kgs 12:16), consistently marking the dispersal of troops or people after conflict or major public events. Its use here reinforces the complete termination of the immediate military threat and the physical return to daily life.
• The shofar, used to signal both assembly for war and disbandment, encapsulates the cyclical nature of conflict and peace in ancient Israel. Its sound served as an immediate, binding command for the whole assembly.
• This brief account highlights the lingering fragility and potential for internal division within David's kingdom, even after Absalom's massive rebellion. Sheba's brief but potent threat necessitated another swift military intervention to preserve unity.

2 Samuel 20 22 Commentary

2 Samuel 20:22 marks the abrupt and efficient end of Sheba's rebellion, showcasing the military precision and authority inherent in Joab's command. The decisive blast of the shofar acts as a universal signal, bringing an immediate halt to hostilities that moments earlier threatened the very existence of Abel of Beth-maachah. This quick resolution underscores the effectiveness of the wise woman's intervention, as Joab's direct command for dispersal proves that the threat has been neutralized without further destruction to the city. The troops' immediate return "each to his tent" symbolizes the return to peace and normalcy after a period of significant national strife. It highlights the temporary nature of warfare for the common soldier, who yearns for the stability of home life. Joab's return to Jerusalem affirms his successful suppression of yet another rebellion, solidifying his complex, often morally ambiguous, but undeniably essential role as the protector of David's kingdom, regardless of David's personal sentiments toward him. The swift resolution prevented further prolonged conflict, reflecting a desire to re-establish order within David's often fractured kingdom.