Who were the Bikrites?

The Bikrites were a small clan or family group in ancient Israel associated with a man named Sheba son of Bichri, who rebelled against King David. The term “Bikrites” (Hebrew: בִּכְרִֽי, Bikri) appears only in 2 Samuel 20:1 and refers to the descendants or family of Bichri (Bikri), Sheba’s father. Though the name appears only briefly in the biblical text, the Bikrites are significant because of their connection to a major threat against the Davidic monarchy.

Hebrew Meaning and Origin

The name Bichri (בִּכְרִי, Bikri) is derived from the Hebrew root bkr (בכר), meaning “firstborn” or “young camel.” Some scholars interpret Bikri as “youthful” or “of the firstborn.” The term Bikrites, then, simply refers to the clan or descendants of this man Bichri, from the tribe of Benjamin (2 Samuel 20:1).

Biblical References

• 2 Samuel 20:1 – “Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted, ‘We have no share in David, no part in Jesse’s son! Every man to his tent, Israel!’”

• 2 Samuel 20:2 – The tribes of Israel follow Sheba, while Judah remains loyal to David.

• 2 Samuel 20:6-22 – The rebellion is suppressed; Sheba is killed in Abel Beth Maakah.

Cross-references include:

• 1 Kings 12:16 – Similar language of rebellion against the house of David.

• Judges 19-21 – Background on the tribe of Benjamin’s tensions with the rest of Israel.

• Psalm 2 – A warning to those who rebel against the Lord’s anointed king.

What Happened in the Bible?

After the quelling of Absalom’s rebellion, a new revolt arises led by Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite. He calls the northern tribes to reject David’s kingship, reigniting tribal divisions. His cry—“We have no share in David!”—is a rejection of God’s chosen king, reflecting earlier and future sentiments of discontent in Israel (cf. 1 Kings 12).

Sheba’s rebellion is short-lived but dangerous. David orders Amasa, then Abishai, and finally Joab to pursue Sheba. Joab ultimately leads the chase and murders Amasa in the process. Sheba takes refuge in the fortified city of Abel Beth Maakah, but a wise woman negotiates with Joab and ensures Sheba is executed—his head is thrown over the wall to Joab, ending the rebellion (2 Samuel 20:22).

Though the Bikrites as a clan are not mentioned again, their legacy is tied to rebellion against God’s anointed king.

Theological and Gospel Implications

The story of the Bikrites—through Sheba—highlights a recurring theme in Scripture: rebellion against God‘s appointed authority. In David‘s kingship, we see a foreshadowing of the greater King to come—Jesus Christ, the true Son of David. To rebel against David, God‘s anointed king, was to rebel against God Himself (cf. 1 Samuel 16:1, 13).

In this light, the Bikrites’ association with Sheba places them symbolically among those who reject God‘s rule. This rebellion serves as a picture of the broader human condition—mankind’s rejection of God’s rightful kingship over their lives.

But just as the rebellion of Sheba was crushed and peace restored through wise intercession, the gospel tells us that our rebellion is answered not with destruction for those who repent, but with grace through Christ, who bore the penalty for our sin so that we might be reconciled to God (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:20).

Broader Biblical Themes

Rebellion vs. Submission

The Bikrites’ association with rebellion echoes the deeper biblical theme of human defiance against God. From the garden of Eden (Genesis 3) to Babel (Genesis 11) and beyond, Scripture tells the story of mankind’s repeated turning away from God’s authority.

Tribal Division and Unity

The Bikrites, being Benjamites, represent ongoing tribal tensions within Israel. These tensions appear again in the split of the kingdom under Jeroboam (1 Kings 12). But God‘s ultimate plan is not division, but unity in Christ—a restored kingdom made up of all tribes, tongues, and nations (Revelation 7:9).

The Role of the Anointed King

David as God‘s chosen king is a type of Christ. The rejection of David by Sheba mirrors the rejection of Jesus by His own people (John 1:11). The gospel calls us not to repeat the error of Sheba and the Bikrites but to embrace Jesus as Lord and King.

The Wisdom that Brings Salvation

The wise woman in 2 Samuel 20 stands in stark contrast to Sheba and the Bikrites. Her wisdom preserves her city and prevents greater bloodshed. She is a picture of how God uses wisdom and intercession to bring peace, ultimately pointing to Jesus, our Mediator and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; 1 Timothy 2:5).

Application for Today’s Christians

The story of the Bikrites reminds us that partial loyalty to God is not enough. Sheba was a Benjamite, from a tribe formerly favored (Saul’s tribe), yet he used his position to divide God’s people. Christians are called to submit fully to the lordship of Christ and to guard against the seeds of rebellion in their own hearts.

We are also reminded of the importance of wise counsel and faithful leadership in the church and in life. The contrast between Sheba’s defiance and the wise woman’s diplomacy shows that godly wisdom can avert disaster and restore peace.

Moreover, this passage calls Christians to seek unity in the body of Christ rather than division (Ephesians 4:3). Just as Sheba’s rebellion was a threat to the nation’s unity, so division in the church hinders the gospel’s witness.

How the Story Points to Jesus

David‘s kingship and the rejection he faces from the Bikrites through Sheba prefigures Jesus Christ, who was also rejected by many of His own people (Luke 19:14; John 19:15). Yet unlike David, who punished rebels with the sword, Jesus offers forgiveness to those who repent. The decisive end to Sheba‘s rebellion through death points to the truth that sin and rebellion lead to death, but Jesus came to bear that death on our behalf (Romans 6:23).

In Jesus, the true King, God has made a way for rebels to be made citizens of His Kingdom—not by force, but by faith. The question for each person is: Will you submit to the King, or will you follow the path of the Bikrites?

Reflection Questions

1. What does the story of the Bikrites teach us about rebellion against God‘s authority?

2. In what ways might believers today be tempted to act like Sheba—divisive, prideful, or unwilling to submit?

3. How does the role of the wise woman in this story point to the kind of wisdom God values?

4. How does this passage encourage us to pursue unity within the church?

5. What does the contrast between Sheba and Jesus reveal about God’s mercy and justice?

The Bikrites, though mentioned briefly, serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers of rebellion and the glory of submission to God’s chosen King—fulfilled in Jesus Christ.