^19 (A)Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

¹³ I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. ¹⁴ There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. ¹⁵ But there was found in it ^(A)a poor, wise man, and he by his ^(B)wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ But I say that ^(C)wisdom is better than might, though ^(D)the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

¹⁷ The words of the wise heard in ^(E)quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. ^18 (F)Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but ^(G)one sinner destroys much good.

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 ^(A)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 ^(B)swallow up ^(C)the heritage of the Lord?” ²⁰ Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should ^(D)swallow up or destroy! ²¹ That is not true. But a man of ^(E)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 ^(F)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, ^(G)every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

^6 (A)And the king and his men went to Jerusalem ^(B)against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” ⁷ Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, ^(C)that is, the city of David. ⁸ And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David's soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” ⁹ And David lived in the stronghold and called it ^(D)the city of David. And David built the city all around from the ^(E)Millo inward.