13. Once Amasa was moved out of the road, everyone who followed Joab marched past in pursuit of Bichri’s son Sheba.
14. Sheba went through all the Israelite tribes up to Abel of Beth-maacah. All the Bichrites assembled and followed Sheba in.
15. Then Joab’s men arrived and attacked Sheba at Abel of Beth-maacah. They piled up a ramp against the city, and it stood against the outer wall. All of Joab’s troops were hammering the wall, trying to bring it down.
16. Then a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come over here, so I can talk to him."
17. So Joab approached her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?""I am," he answered."Pay close attention to the words of your female servant," she said."I’m listening," Joab replied.
18. She said, "People used to say long ago: ‘Ask your question at Abel,’ and that settled the matter.
19. I am one of the peaceful and faithful in Israel, but you are trying to kill a city that is one of Israel’s mothers! Why would you annihilate the Lord’s inheritance?"
20. Joab answered, "I would never, ever annihilate or destroy such a thing!