The Wise Woman of Abel and Sheba's Rebellion

Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjaminite, blew a trumpet and called Israel to break away from David. Many men of Israel followed Sheba, but the men of Judah stayed with their king and went with him from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

When David reached Jerusalem, he placed the ten concubines he had left to keep the house under guard and provided for them, but they lived shut away in widowhood. Then David told Amasa to gather the men of Judah within three days.

Amasa was late. David said Sheba could become more dangerous than Absalom, so he told Abishai to pursue him before he reached fortified cities. Joab's men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the mighty men went out from Jerusalem.

At the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa met them. Joab greeted him like a friend, but killed him. People stopped in shock at the sight on the road. After Amasa was moved aside and covered, the pursuit continued under Joab.

Sheba travelled through the tribes and came to Abel of Beth Maacah, where others gathered around him. Joab's forces besieged the city, built up a mound against it, and battered the wall. Then a wise woman called from the city and asked to speak with Joab.

The woman said Abel had long been known as a place for wise counsel, and she asked why Joab would destroy a city in Israel. Joab replied that he wanted only Sheba, who had rebelled against King David. In her wisdom she spoke to the people. They cut off Sheba's head and threw it over the wall to Joab. He blew the trumpet, the troops withdrew, and Joab returned to Jerusalem. David's officers continued in their roles. What do you notice about the way one wise voice changed this crisis?