17. When Joab had come near her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” And he replied, “Yes.” She said to him, “Listen to what your servant has to say.” He replied, “I am listening.”
18. Then she went on to say: “There is a saying from long ago, ‘Let them ask if they will in Abel or in Dan whether loyalty is finished
19. or ended in Israel.’ You are seeking to batter down a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you wish to swallow up the heritage of the Lord?”
20. Joab answered, “Not at all, not at all! I do not wish to swallow or batter anything.
21. That is not the case at all. A man from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name is Sheba, son of Bichri, has rebelled against King David. Give him up, just him, and I will withdraw from the city.” Then the woman said to Joab, “His head shall be thrown to you across the wall.”
22. In her wisdom, the woman went to all the people, and they cut off the head of Sheba, son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He then sounded the horn, and they scattered from the city to their own tents, while Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
23. Joab was in command of the whole army of Israel. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was in command of the Cherethites and Pelethites.
24. Adoram was in charge of the forced labor. Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was the chancellor.
25. Shawsha was the scribe. Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
26. Ira the Jairite was also David’s priest.