Sheba’s Rebellion: 20:1–2 In many ways this incident is presented as an appendix to Absalom’s rebellion rather than as a separate story. Sheba, a Benjamite described as a troublemaker, perhaps thought he could take up where Absalom left off. This incident could have occurred toward the end of David’s reign, although happened to be there may indicate that it happened at the rather bad-tempered meeting between representatives of the northern and southern tribes relating to David’s return after Absalom’s rebellion (19:41–43).

Sheba, whether as an intentional encouragement to full-scale rebellion or as an assertion of independence against what might be seen as Judean arrogance, called the Israelites to boycott the procession and return to their own homes—which they did. The Judeans were left to…