🪔 2 Samuel 20

2 Samuel 20 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “There happened to be there a wicked fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet, and said, “We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!”” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.

Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites. They were gathered together, and went also after him.” 2 Samuel 20 opens with these words: “There happened to be there a wicked fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet, and said, “We…” The line to keep is 2 Samuel 20:19: “I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up Yahweh’s inheritance?”” Carry the word “peaceable” from that verse into the rest of the day.

The line worth learning out loud is 2 Samuel 20:19: “I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up Yahweh’s inheritance?”” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.

What happens first in 2 Samuel 20? Then try this: Read “I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.