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?”
20. Joab answered, “That’s unthinkable! I don’t wish to swallow ⌊it⌋ up or destroy ⌊it⌋.
21. That isn’t the case. A man from the mountains of Ephraim by the name of Sheba, son of Bichri, has rebelled against King David. Give him to me, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”“That’s fine,” the woman told Joab. “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”
22. Then the woman went to all the people with her clever plan. They cut off Sheba’s head and threw it to Joab. He blew the ram’s horn, and everyone scattered and withdrew from the city and went home. Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.
23. Now, Joab was put in charge of Israel’s whole army. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was in charge of the Cherethites and Pelethites.
24. Adoram was in charge of forced labor. Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was the royal historian.