“…But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” 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. (II Samuel 20:21,22 ESV)
The Head of the Snake
Sometimes the best path to victory, even for a rough and tumble general like Joab, is to simply destroy the leader of the enemy army, rather than slog through lines of soldiers.
The quickest, most efficient, and often only way to kill a snake is to chop off it’s head.
Recently, in an encounter with a snake, this proved difficult, but still just as necessary. A snake that was dwelling too close to my door had escaped my pursuit by slithering into a small hole under a door jamb. The long body writhed in plain sight. But the head was safely hidden. I could almost hear that creature laughing at me. But I used TWO tools. One dragged the snake out, and the other took care of the head.
It’s a good military strategy, and a good strategy in life.
God foretold the defeat of Sin in the first prophecy of the Bible: He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. (Genesis 3:15 ESV)
David and Goliath fought under those circumstances. Defeated the champion meant defeating the enemy.
The wise woman of the city of Abel did it with the rebel Sheba.
Best of all Christ, our champion, defeated ALL of God’s enemies, through His life, His death, and His life again.