Day 161 – 2 Samuel 20:14-22

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 20:14-22

"And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him."

(2 Samuel 20:14)

Sheba's rebellion has run north. Joab is pursuing him after the murder of Amasa.

He finally comes to Abel and Bethmaachah. This was in the northern part of Israel, far from Jerusalem. The Bible mentions "the Berites." These were a group connected with this northern movement, he is gathering whoever will still go after him.

"And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down."

(2 Samuel 20:15)

Joab's army is surrounding Abel of Bethmaachah. They "cast up a bank," or built up a raised mound also called a siege ramp against the city. The "trench" was likely part of the city's defensive area. The army began strike repeatedly and forcefully in order to break it down.

The whole city is now in danger because Sheba is inside. We just finished VBS and it was a Jonah theme. Reminds me of the Ship Jonah was on.

"Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee."

(2 Samuel 20:16)

A woman is crying out for attention before the wall comes down and blood fills the streets.

She asks that Joab come near so she can speak with him. That takes courage. Joab has already killed Abner, Absalom, and now Amasa. Yet this woman believes words may still stop destruction. The Bible does not give her name, but it gives her wisdom. That is important. Some people are unnamed in Scripture but not unimportant in God's work.

"And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear."

(2 Samuel 20:17)

The woman wants to speak directly to the man who can stop the assault. She asks, "Art thou Joab?" She calls herself "thine handmaid." She is respectful, but she is also bold.

Joab says, "I do hear."

"Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter."

(2 Samuel 20:18)

The woman reminds Joab of Abel's reputation. In former days, people would say, "They shall surely ask counsel at Abel." In other words, Abel was known as a place of wisdom, counsel, and settlement. People came there to resolve matters, not create them. The city had a history of helping problems end. She is not just saying, "Please spare us." She is saying, "Joab, you are about to destroy a place that has been known for wisdom in Israel."

"I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?"

(2 Samuel 20:19)

Now the woman says she is not rebellious or violent but loyal, dependable, and true. Then she calls the city "a mother in Israel." A mother city was a leading, nurturing, protective city in the region. It was not a worthless place. It had given stability and counsel to others. She asks why Joab would destroy, consume, or wipe out God's people and what belonged under His covenant care.

"And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy."

(2 Samuel 20:20)

Joab answers, "Let it not be so," or "That is not my intention at all." This is an interesting moment. Joab is a hard man, and his hands are bloody. Yet here he says he does not want to destroy the city. He is willing to clarify the mission. Even flawed and rough people may still have a limited goal in a conflict. The wise woman did not assume, she asked. Joab did not continue blindly, he answered.

"The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall."

(2 Samuel 20:21)

Joab explains that the city itself is not his target. The problem is Sheba. He says, "deliver him only, and I will depart from the city." Joab demands her give up the rebel, and the city will be spared. She understands the city cannot protect the traitor and expect safety. Sheba must be surrendered. Many times peace with God, peace in the home, or peace in the church cannot come while the sinfulness of a person is still protected. The sin must be dealt with. It cannot be hidden behind the wall.

"Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king."

(2 Samuel 20:22)

The woman persuades the people inside the city to deal with Sheba. They cut off Sheba's head and cast it out to Joab. The rebellion ends, not with the city destroyed, but with the guilty rebel removed. Then Joab blows the trumpet. Earlier, Sheba blew a trumpet to start rebellion. Now Joab blows a trumpet to end the siege. The people retire from the city, every man to his tent, and Joab returns to Jerusalem unto the king.

This is a sober ending. One unnamed wise woman saved many lives because she knew how to speak, reason, and act. She did not defend the rebellion. She did not allow fear to silence her. She helped the city choose survival over foolish loyalty to a traitor.