15. And 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.
16. And a wise woman cried out from the city: Hear, hear, and say to Joab: Come near hither, and I will speak with thee.
17. And 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.
18. And 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.
19. Am 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?