2 Samuel 20:14-22

English Standard Version

¹⁴ And Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to ^(A)Abel of ^(B)Beth-maacah,^[a] and all ^(C)the Bichrites^[b] assembled and followed him in. ¹⁵ And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in ^(D)Abel of Beth-maacah. ^(E)They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. ¹⁶ Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’” ¹⁷ And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” ¹⁸ Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at ^(F)Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. ¹⁹ I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you ^(G)swallow up ^(H)the heritage of the Lord?” ²⁰ Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should ^(I)swallow up or destroy! ²¹ That is not true. But a man of ^(J)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.” ²² Then the woman went to all the people ^(K)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, ^(L)every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.