The Wise Woman Saves Her City

16Then a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab, ‘Come near to here, so that I may speak with you.’”

17He came near to her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He said, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” He said, “I am listening.”

18Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them surely ask at Abel,’ and so they ended the matter.”

19I am one of the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of Yahweh?

20Joab answered and said, “Far be it from me, far be it, if I should swallow up or destroy!”

21That is not the matter. Rather, a man from the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Hand him over alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Look, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.”

22Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. Then he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, each man to his tent; and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

23Joab was over all the army of Israel, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites.

24Adoram was over the forced labor, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder.

25and Sheva was secretary, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests.

26And Ira the Jairite also was priest to David.