13. After Amasa’s body was taken off the road, all the men followed Joab to chase Sheba son of Bicri.
14. Sheba went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maacah. All the Berites also came together and followed him.
15. So Joab and his men came to Abel Beth Maacah and surrounded it. They piled dirt up against the city wall, and they began hacking at the walls to bring them down.
16. But a wise woman shouted out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here. I want to talk to him!”
17. So Joab came near her. She asked him, “Are you Joab?”He answered, “Yes, I am.”Then she said, “Listen to what I say.”Joab said, “I’m listening.”
18. Then the woman said, “In the past people would say, ‘Ask for advice at Abel,’ and the problem would be solved.
19. I am one of the peaceful, loyal people of Israel. You are trying to destroy an important city of Israel. Why must you destroy what belongs to the Lord?”
20. Joab answered, “I would prefer not to destroy or ruin anything!
21. That is not what I want. But there is a man here from the mountains of Ephraim, who is named Sheba son of Bicri. He has turned against King David. If you bring him to me, I will leave the city alone.”The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown over the wall to you.”
22. Then the woman spoke very wisely to all the people of the city. They cut off the head of Sheba son of Bicri and threw it over the wall to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and the army left the city. Every man returned home, and Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.
23. Joab was commander of all the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada led the Kerethites and Pelethites.
24. Adoniram was in charge of the men who were forced to do hard work. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder.
25. Sheba was the royal secretary. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests,
26. and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.