12. Amasa was wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw that all the troops stopped as they came to the body, he carried Amasa from the road to the field and threw a sheet over him.
13. As soon as he was moved from the road, everyone followed Joab and pursued Sheba, Bichri’s son.
14. Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel (Beth Maacah). All the Berites were gathered together and followed him to the city.
15. Joab’s army came and attacked him in Abel (Beth Maacah). They put up a dirt ramp against the city, and it stood level with the outer wall. All the troops with Joab were trying to destroy the wall and tear it down.
16. Then a clever woman called from the city, “Listen, listen! Tell Joab to come here so that I can talk to him.”
17. He came near, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”“I am,” he answered.“Listen to what I have to say,” she told him.“I’m listening,” he answered.
18. So she said, “There’s an old saying: ‘Be sure to ask at Abel ⌊before doing anything⌋. That’s the way they settle matters.’
19. We are peaceful and faithful Israelites. Are you trying to destroy a mother city in Israel? Why should you swallow up what belongs to the Lord?”