II Samuel 20:14-22 · Bible study
2 Samuel 20:14-22 Commentary: The Wise Woman of Abel
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
A wise woman negotiates peace during a siege, saving her city and preserving Yahweh's inheritance.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A wise woman negotiates the surrender of a rebel leader, sparing her city from destruction and preserving unity in Israel.
- Key words: ḥāḵāmâ (wise), šālôm (peaceable), năḥălat YHWH (Yahweh's inheritance).
- Main debate: Whether the subject “he” in verse 14 is Sheba (fleeing and gathering support) or Joab (continuing his pursuit).
- Theological theme: Wisdom as a gift for preserving community; God's inheritance must be safeguarded, not consumed by civil war.
- Best use: A case study in de-escalation, the power of thoughtful speech, and the value of every member of God's people.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
14Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel-beth-maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him.
15And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it,
16a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.”
17When he had come near to her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said. “I am listening,” he answered.
18Then the woman said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Seek counsel at Abel,’ and that is how disputes were settled.
19I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel, but you are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”
20“Far be it!” Joab declared. “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy!
21That is not the case. But a man named Sheba son of Bichri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him alone, and I will depart from the city.” “Look,” the woman replied, “his head will be thrown to you over the wall.”
22Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.
WEB World English Bible 2000
14He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites. They were gathered together, and went also after him.
15They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down.
16Then a wise woman cried out of the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come near here, that I may speak with you.’”
17He came near to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.” He answered, “I’m listening.”
18Then she spoke, saying, “They used to say in old times, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter.
19I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up Yahweh’s inheritance?”
20Joab answered, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21The matter is not so. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. Just deliver him, and I will depart from the city.” The woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.”
22Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
KJV King James Version 1769
14And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth–maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
15And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth–maachah, 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.
16Then 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.
17And 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.
18Then 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.
19I 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?
20And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21The 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.
22Then 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
14And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth-maacah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
15And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
16Then 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.
17And he came near unto her; and the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thy handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
18Then 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.
19I am 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 Jehovah?
20And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21The matter is not so: but a man of the hill-country of 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.
22Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. And he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
14And he passeth over through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth-Maachah, and to all the Berites, and they are assembled, and go in also after him,
15and they go in and lay siege against him, in Abel of Beth-Maachah, and cast up a mount against the city, and it standeth in a trench, and all the people who are are with Joab are destroying, to cause the wall to fall.
16And a wise woman calleth out of the city, `Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, and I speak unto thee.'
17And he cometh near unto her, and the woman saith, `Art thou Joab?' and he saith, `I am .' And she saith to him, `Hear the words of thy handmaid;' and he saith, `I am hearing.'
18and she speaketh, saying, `They spake often in former times, saying, Let them diligently ask at Abel, and so they finished.
19I am of the peaceable--faithful ones of Israel; thou art seeking to destroy a city, and a mother in Israel; why dost thou swallow up the inheritance of Jehovah?
20And Joab answereth and saith, `Far be it--far be it from me; I do not swallow up nor destroy.
21The matter is not so; for a man of the hill-country of Ephraim--Sheba son of Bichri his name--hath lifted up his hand against the king, against David; give ye up him by himself, and I go away from the city.' And the woman saith unto Joab, `Lo, his head is cast unto thee over the wall.'
22And the woman cometh unto all the people in her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri, and cast it unto Joab, and he bloweth with a trumpet, and they are scattered from the city, each to his tents, and Joab hath turned back to Jerusalem unto the king.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
14who went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth-Maacah, and all the Berim; and they gathered together, and went also after him.
15And they came and besieged him in Abel-Beth-Maacah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it was raised in the trench; and all the people that were with Joab sapped the wall, to throw it down.
16And a wise woman cried out of the city, Hear, hear: say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
17And he came near to her; and the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he said, I [am he]. And she said to him, Listen to the words of thy handmaid. And he said, I am listening.
18And she spoke saying, They were wont to speak in old time saying, Just inquire in Abel; and so they ended.
19I am peaceable [and] faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of Jehovah?
20And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21The matter is not so; but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David: give up him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
22Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
14Now he had passed through all the tribes of Israel unto Abela and Bethmaacha: and all the chosen men were gathered together unto him.
15And they came, and besieged him in Abela, and in Bethmaacha, and they cast up works round the city, and the city was besieged: and all the people that were with Joab, laboured to throw down the walls.
16And a wise woman cried out from the city: Hear, hear, and say to Joab: Come near hither, and I will speak with thee.
17And when he was come near to her, she said to him: Art thou Joab? And he answered: I am. And she spoke thus to him: Hear the words of thy handmaid. He answered: I do hear.
18And she again said: A saying was used in the old proverb: They that inquire, let them inquire in Abela: and so they made an end.
19Am not I she that answer truth in Israel, and thou seekest to destroy the city, and to overthrow a mother in Israel? Why wilt thou throw down the inheritance of the Lord?
20And Joab answering said: God forbid, God forbid that I should, I do not throw down, nor destroy.
21The matter is not so, but a man of mount Ephraim, Seba the son of Bochri by name, hath lifted up his hand against king David: deliver him only, and we will depart from the city. And the woman said to Joab: Behold his head shall be thrown to thee from the wall.
22So she went to all the people, and spoke to them wisely: and they cut off the head of Seba the son of Bochri, and cast it out to Joab. And he sounded the trumpet, and they departed from the city, every one to their home: and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Samuel 20:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators widely agree this narrative illustrates how wisdom can avert needless bloodshed. The story turns on a single sharp exchange between Joab and an unnamed woman who speaks for the city of Abel Beth Maacah. Gill and Matthew Henry identify the subject of verse 14 as Sheba the son of Bichri, who passed through Israel gathering support after his rebellion against David. Cambridge and Barnes follow this reading, noting that Sheba took refuge in Abel, a city known for its proverbial wisdom. When Joab besieged the city, a wise woman, perhaps a governess, as Clarke suggests, called out to negotiate. She reminded Joab that Abel was a peaceable, faithful city and called it a “mother in Israel,” a metaphor for a chief town. Joab replied with a double oath (“Far be it, far be it from me”) that he had no quarrel with the city itself; he only wanted Sheba. The woman then used her wisdom to persuade the citizens to hand over Sheba's head, ending the siege. Barnes notes that Joab, though often ruthless, was not needlessly destructive. The passage thus celebrates prudent speech that saves lives and preserves the unity of God's people.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Sheba as subject: Narrative context: Sheba is fleeing (2 Sa 20:1-2); Joab is pursuing. Verse 14's itinerary through all tribes fits a fugitive gathering support, not a general with an army already in tow. Majority of commentators (Gill, Barnes, Matthew Henry) adopt this reading.
- Joab as subject: Grammatical antecedent: verse 13 ends with 'all the people went on after Joab,' so the next 'he' naturally refers to Joab. The Septuagint's addition of 'Abishai' in some manuscripts supports this reading.
What is clear: The passage's resolution is unaffected: Sheba is besieged in Abel Beth Maacah, a wise woman negotiates his surrender, and the city is spared.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Subject of “he went” in verse 14 | Both possibilities lead to the same narrative convergence: Sheba ends up besieged in Abel. | Most commentators (Gill, Matthew Henry, Wesley) identify Sheba as subject: he passed through tribes gathering recruits. Others (based on grammatical antecedent from v.13) argue Joab is subject, describing his swift pursuit. Neither reading changes the outcome. |
| Identity of “the Berites” in verse 14 | It refers to a group associated with the northern region, otherwise unknown. | The word's meaning is uncertain. Some (Barnes, Lange) suspect a textual corruption; the Septuagint and Vulgate suggest “chosen men.” Others accept “Berites” as a clan or inhabitatants of a place called Berim. |
| Role of the wise woman | She acts as a representative mediator who speaks effectively to save the city. | Clarke suggests she was the governess; others (Cambridge, Matthew Henry) simply see her as a wise citizen. The text does not specify an official position, but her access to Joab and her authority with the people show she was highly respected. |
| Meaning of “mother in Israel” (v. 19) | It describes a leading or chief city that gives life and identity to surrounding communities. | All traditions agree it is a metaphor for a metropolis. Some also see a maternal responsibility: the city nurtures and protects its inhabitants, so attacking it is like attacking a mother. |
| Joab's character in this episode | He restrains his violence, accepting the single head instead of destroying the city. | Barnes and others argue this shows Joab's political calculation: he is ruthless toward obstacles (Amasa) but not indiscriminately destructive. Others see genuine openness to the woman's reasoning. The text does not probe his motives. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Abel Beth Maacah stood in the far north of Israel, near the border with Syria and close to the tribe of Naphtali. Cross-references (1 Kings 15:20; 2 Kings 15:29; 2 Chronicles 16:4) show it was a strategic city, mentioned alongside Ijon, Dan and Chinneroth. The full name may have meant “meadow of the house of Maacah,” distinguishing it from other places named Abel (a word for “meadow”). This region was a gateway for invading armies, so a siege there threatened the whole northern frontier.
The attack described matches ancient siege warfare. Joab's forces “cast up a mound” against the city, a ramp of earth and stone built to allow battering rams to reach the upper wall. The word ḥēl (“rampart” or “trench”) refers to the fortified space outside the main wall. Clarke and Lange explain that the mound positioned the attackers to breach the wall. The language of “pouring out” (šāp̄aḵ) a mound suggests a deliberate, relentless assault.
In this crisis, a woman intervened. The phrase “wise woman” echoes another figure in 2 Samuel 14 (the woman of Tekoa). Such women often served as mediators or leaders in Israelite cities. She described Abel as a “mother in Israel,” a term for a capital or influential city (compare “mother city”). Her appeal to “Yahweh's inheritance” draws on the covenantal idea that the land belongs to God and must not be wantonly destroyed. The proverb in verse 18, that people used to “ask counsel at Abel”, shows the city was once famous for settling disputes, a reputation the woman leveraged to plead for mercy.
Textual Notes
The Hebrew text of verse 14 includes the phrase “and all the Berites,” which is obscure. The Septuagint reads “and all in Charri,” possibly reflecting a different Hebrew Vorlage (“bachurim,” chosen men). The Vulgate similarly suggests “all the chosen men.” This leads many commentators (Lange, Clericus) to suspect a corruption. The word Ba‘al (rampart) in verse 15 is also debated: some translate as “trench” or “outer wall.” The Septuagint reads “from the wall” (not “out of the city”) in verse 16, a minor variant. None of these affect the main narrative. The supplied sources note no significant variants that change the meaning of the passage.
Reception History
This story has been valued in Christian tradition as a vivid example of Proverbs 21:22: “A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.” The Cambridge Bible notes that the Preacher of Ecclesiastes may have had this incident in mind when he wrote Ecc 9:13-16 about wisdom better than strength. Early church writers like Ambrose and Chrysostom referenced the woman as a model of prudence and eloquence. In Reformation-era commentaries, the wise woman was seen as an image of the church pleading for peace. The passage is sung in few hymns but often cited in sermons on conflict resolution, showing how God can use the unexpected to preserve His people.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Crisis and threat (vv. 14-15). A rebel seeks refuge, and a city faces destruction. Tensions run high, and violence escalates.
- A wise mediator steps up (vv. 16-19). An unnamed woman cries out, identifies the city as peaceable and faithful, and challenges Joab's purpose. She appeals to a shared heritage and a history of wisdom.
- Justice with restraint (vv. 20-22). Joab clarifies the targeted enemy, accepts a limited solution, and the woman acts to deliver the rebel. The city is spared, and Joab returns to Jerusalem.
Five-point outline
- The rebel's flight (v. 14). Sheba passes through Israel gathering support, drawing Joab and the army north.
- The siege begins (v. 15). Joab's forces surround Abel Beth Maacah, building a siege ramp.
- The wise woman's appeal (vv. 16-19). She calls out, negotiates with Joab, and reminds him of Abel's heritage as a place of counsel and faithfulness.
- Joab's response (vv. 20-21). He disavows any intention to destroy the city and names his one demand: Sheba's head.
- Resolution and restoration (v. 22). The woman persuades the city, Sheba is executed, the siege lifts, and Joab returns to the king.
Illustration hooks
- A neighborhood dispute escalates until a calm neighbor steps in to mediate, listening to both sides and finding a solution no one else saw.
- A workplace team is divided by one person's ambition; a respected colleague speaks truth and redirects the conflict toward the real issue, preserving the team's unity.
- A family argument over an inheritance threatens to break relationships; a relative who keeps her head reminds everyone of what they share, and a compromise is reached.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why was Sheba's head thrown over the wall? Was that justice or brutality?
- How can one wise person change the outcome of a crisis?
- What does it mean for a city to be a “mother in Israel” and “Yahweh's inheritance”?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how God can use the wisdom of an ordinary person to prevent disaster and preserve His people. The wise woman of Abel did not hold a position of official power, yet her words turned the tide. As you discuss these verses, notice how she combined respect for authority with a clear challenge, and how Joab was willing to listen and limit his demands.
Discussion questions
- Whose perspective does verse 14 take, Sheba's or Joab's? What clues in the surrounding verses help decide? (Look at v. 13 and the flow of events.)
- Why do you think the woman called the city “a mother in Israel” (v. 19)? What does that image suggest about the city's role and value?
- Read the woman's speech in verses 18-19. How does she use the city's history and reputation to argue for mercy?
- Joab repeats “Far be it from me” (v. 20). What does this response reveal about his character and his priorities in this moment?
- The woman promises Sheba's head will be thrown over the wall (v. 21). In what ways does this solution satisfy both justice and mercy?
- How does the proverb in verse 18 reinforce the theme of wisdom? What does it mean for a city to be consulted like an oracle?
- Can you recall a situation where one person's wise intervention prevented a larger conflict? What can we learn from this story about speaking up in tense moments?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Numbers 21:16 | From there they traveled to Beer; that is the well of which Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.” |
| Joshua 18:25 | Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, |
| I Kings 15:20 | Ben Hadad listened to King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel, and struck Ijon, and Dan, and Abel Beth Maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. |
| II Kings 15:29 | In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria. |
| II Chronicles 16:4 | Ben Hadad listened to King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they struck Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali. |
| II Kings 19:32 | “Therefore Yahweh says concerning the king of Assyria, ‘He will not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there. He will not come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. |
| Isaiah 37:33 | “Therefore Yahweh says concerning the king of Assyria, ‘He will not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither will he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. |
| Jeremiah 6:6 | For Yahweh of Armies said, “Cut down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem. This is the city to be visited. She is filled with oppression within herself. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke reads the woman's words not as her personal plea but as the city itself speaking, calling itself a peaceable and faithful mother in Israel, meaning a chief city. He also sees the famous counsel at Abel as a proverb about that city's wisdom, which Joab should have sought before attacking.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights Joab's calculated ruthlessness in this episode: he is politic, bold and unscrupulous, but never needlessly cruel. No life is safe if it blocks his path, yet he sacrifices even the most insignificant person only when it serves a clear purpose.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that Abel had a reputation for wisdom so ancient that people consulted it like an oracle to settle disputes. The wise woman implies that if Joab had sought the city’s counsel instead of attacking, the siege might have been avoided entirely.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the wise woman's appeal to Abel's ancient reputation as a place where people sought counsel to settle disputes. She argues that Joab should have first offered terms of peace, as the law required, instead of attacking a peaceful and faithful city. This appeal spares the city and secures Sheba's surrender.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB suggests the wise woman who negotiates with Joab was likely a judge or governess of Abel, similar to Deborah. He reads the ancient saying she quotes as the citizens expecting Joab to offer peace according to Deuteronomy's law. Joab is shown as a patriot who stops bloodshed once the rebel leader is surrendered.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange sees God's hidden hand working through the chaos of human sin and error. He emphasizes that God permits evil to run its course, using even the murder of Amasa by Joab to restore David's kingdom and teach the king that the Lord alone is his strength.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights the wise woman of Abel as a model of prudent negotiation, using the city's ancient reputation for peaceful counsel to persuade Joab. Rather than destroy an entire "mother in Israel," she secures the city's safety by delivering the single rebel, showing how one wise person can prevent widespread ruin.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights the "wise woman" of Abel as the city's true deliverer, noting that none of the men stepped forward to negotiate. He points out that she appealed to the city's ancient reputation as a "mother in Israel" whose counsel settled disputes, making Joab's attack an injury to Israel itself.