We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?” – 2 Samuel 20:19

Today’s Scripture Reading (August 19, 2019): 2 Samuel 20

Alexander McCall Smith in his “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” remarks that “every man has a map in his heart of his own country and that the heart will never allow you to forget this map.” This is true of countries, and of regions and tribes. I have lived longer in the city I currently inhabit than I have lived anywhere else during my lifetime. And yet, in my heart, there is a deep affection for both the place of my birth and the place where I spent my late childhood and early teenage years. I have a love for the tribe of my early years, even though they hurt me and caused me to abandon them and leave for another clan. Neither of these things makes any sense except that there is a map inside our hearts that keep us leaning in a particular direction.

But what happens if you are missing that map, or more precisely if the allegiance of your youth is divided and that map never develops in your heart and your emotions. It is the question that the people of Abel Beth Maakah had to answer. For most of their existence, they were a frontier, border community existing on the north edge of Israel. While it is likely that during the days of David the border had been pushed further to the north, Abel Beth Maakah was still seen as a border community. And the question that hovered around the town was where exactly did their allegiance lie? Were they cheering for a healthy, united Israel, or did they think that any conflict that would weaken Israel would be in their favor? The answer to that question would ultimately determine their fate.

So Sheba runs to Abel Beth Maakah hoping that they will protect them. But as the army of Israel gathers around the community, a wise woman, probably some kind of oracle, demands to speak to the general of the army. And when Joab comes near, she issues her defense of her community. Abel Beth Maakah might be a border town, but the city's allegiance lies solidly with Israel. And in her defense of the city, she uses this phrase; Abel Beth Maakah is “a city that is a mother in Israel.” This is the only place in the Bible where that phrase is used to describe a community, and it is likely a statement of political and religious allegiance with the people of Jerusalem. There is no tendency toward rebellion in Abel Beth Maakah. And there is no need for the army of Israel to surround the city. The people of the town will be faithful servants of the king, and they will do whatever the king, through Joab, demands.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 21