Sheba Rebels Against the King
20 1 A worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, was there. He blew the trumpet and shouted, "We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse's son! Everyone to your tents, Israel!"
2 So all Israel's men abandoned David to follow Sheba son of Bichri; but Judah's men held to their king, from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
3 David came to his house in Jerusalem, and the king took the ten concubines he had left to keep the house and put them under guard. He provided for them but did not sleep with them. They stayed confined until they died, living as widows.
4 The king told Amasa, "Call the men of Judah to me within three days, and be here yourself."
5 Amasa went to summon Judah, but delayed beyond the time the king had set for him. 6 David told Abishai, "Sheba son of Bichri will now harm us more than Absalom. Take your lord's men and chase him, or he'll reach fortified cities and escape us."
7 So Joab's men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty warriors went out after him from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri. 8 At the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa met them. Joab wore his tunic, with a belted sword in its sheath on his waist; as he stepped forward, it fell out. 9 Joab said to Amasa, "Are you well, my brother?" With his right hand Joab grasped Amasa's beard to kiss him. 10 Amasa did not notice the sword in Joab's hand. Joab struck his belly, spilling his intestines to the ground. Without a second blow, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri. 11 One of Joab's young men stood by Amasa and said, "Whoever favors Joab, whoever is for David—follow Joab!" 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw all the troops stopping there, he dragged Amasa from the road into the field and threw a garment over him, since everyone who came by stopped. 13 Once he was moved off the road, all the men followed Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri. 14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth Maacah; all the Bicrites gathered and followed him too. 15 They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah. They raised a siege ramp against the city, standing against the outer rampart, while all Joab's troops battered the wall to bring it down.
16 Then a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, 'Come here, so I can speak with you.'" 17 As he approached, the woman asked, "Are you Joab?" "I am," he said. She said, "Hear your servant's words." "I'm listening," he said.
18 She said, "They used to say, 'Just ask for counsel at Abel,' and that settled the matter." 19 I am among the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city, a mother in Israel. Why swallow up our Father's inheritance?" a a v19 A 'mother city' was a major regional center that smaller towns depended on for guidance and protection.
20 Joab answered, "I would never, never swallow up or destroy! 21 Not so. But Sheba son of Bichri, from the hills of Ephraim, has raised his hand against King David. Hand over this one man, and I'll pull back from the city." The woman told Joab, "His head will be thrown to you over the wall."
22 The woman went to all the people with her wise plan. They cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they scattered from the city, each to his home. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.
23 Joab led all Israel's army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada led the Cherethites and Pelethites. 24 Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25 Sheva was secretary; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was also David's priest.
