1 Now A2 Sam 16:7a worthless fellow happened to be there whose name was Sheba, the son of BGen 46:21Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet and said,

3 Then David came to his house at Jerusalem, and A2 Sam 15:16; 16:21, 22the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and placed them under guard and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows.

4 Then the king said to A2 Sam 17:25; 19:13Amasa, “Call out the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself.” 5 So Amasa went to call out the men of Judah, but he A1 Sam 13:8delayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him. 6 And David said to A2 Sam 21:17Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom; B2 Sam 11:11; 1 Kin 1:33take your lord’s servants and pursue him, so that he does not find for himself fortified cities and escape from our sight.” 7 So Joab’s men went out after him, A2 Sam 8:18; 1 Kin 1:38along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the large stone which is in A2 Sam 2:13; 3:30Gibeon, Amasa came 1Lit beforeto meet them. Now Joab was 2Lit girded with military garment as clothingdressed in his military attire, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened at his waist; and as he went forward, it fell out. 9 Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And AMatt 26:49Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

10 But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab’s hand so A2 Sam 2:23; 3:27; 1 Kin 2:5he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 11 Now there stood by him one of Joab’s young men, and said, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, A2 Sam 20:13let him follow Joab.” 12 But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he 1Lit caused to turnremoved Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.

13 As soon as he was removed from the highway, all the men passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

14 Now he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, even Beth-maacah, and all the Berites; and they were gathered together and also went after him. 15 They came and besieged him in A1 Kin 15:20; 2 Kin 15:29Abel Beth-maacah, and B2 Kin 19:32; Ezek 4:2they 1Lit poured outcast up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood by the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall. 16 Then A2 Sam 14:2a wise woman called from the city, “Hear, hear! Please tell Joab, ‘Come here that I may speak with you.’ ” 17 So he approached 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 say, ‘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. ADeut 20:10You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up B1 Sam 26:19; 2 Sam 14:16; 21:3the inheritance of the Loʀᴅ?” 20 Joab replied, “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 AJosh 24:33the hill country of Ephraim, B2 Sam 20:2Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against King David. Only hand him over, and I will depart from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman A2 Sam 20:16; Eccl 9:13-16wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So B2 Sam 20:1he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem.

23 A2 Sam 8:16-18; 1 Kin 4:3-6Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 and Adoram was over the forced labor, and A1 Kin 4:3Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25 and Sheva was scribe, and Zadok and A1 Kin 4:4Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was also a priest to David.