2 Samuel 20

1There happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. He blew the trumpet and said, “We have no share in David, and no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, O Israel!”

2So every man of Israel went up from following David to follow Sheba son of Bichri, but the men of Judah held fast to their king, from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

3When David came to his house at Jerusalem, the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in guarded custody and provided for them, but he did not go in to them. So they were kept confined until the day of their death, living as widows.

4Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together for me within three days, and you, remain here.”

5So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the appointed time that he had set for him.

6Then David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. You, take your lord’s servants and pursue after him, lest he find fortified cities for himself and escape from our sight.”

7Joab’s men, the Kerethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men went out after him. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

8When they were by the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. Now Joab was dressed in his military garment, and over it was a belt with a sword fastened to his waist in its sheath; and as he went out, it fell.

9Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took hold of Amasa’s beard with his right hand to kiss him.

10But Amasa was not on guard against the sword that was in Joab’s hand, and he struck him with it in the belly, and his entrails spilled out to the ground; he did not strike him again, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

11And one of Joab’s young men stood over him and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, follow Joab!”

12Amasa was wallowing in blood in the middle of the highway. When the man saw that all the people were stopping, he moved Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him, because he saw that everyone who came upon him stopped.

13As soon as he had been removed from the highway, every man passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

14He passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth-maacah, and all the Berites assembled and also followed after him.

15They came and besieged him in Abel-beth-maacah, and they cast up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were destroying it to bring down the wall.

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.