2 Samuel 20:16-22

Legacy Standard Bible

¹⁶ Then ^(A)a wise woman called from the city, “Hear, hear! Please tell Joab, ‘Draw near that I may speak with you.’” ¹⁷ So he drew near to her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” And he answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” ¹⁸ Then she spoke, saying, “Formerly they used to speak in this way, saying, ‘They will surely ask advice at Abel,’ and thus they ended the dispute. ¹⁹ I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. ^(B)You are seeking to put to death a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up ^(C)the inheritance of Yahweh?” ²⁰ And Joab answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy! ²¹ Such is not the case. But a man from ^(D)the hill country of Ephraim, ^(E)Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give him over alone, and I will go from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” ²² Then the woman came to all the people in her ^(F)wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So ^(G)he blew the trumpet, and they were scattered from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem.