13. After he was removed from the highway, all the men passed by after Joab to pursue after Sheba the son of Bicri.
14. (He had passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maacah; now all of the Berites had been treated badly, so they also followed after him.)
15. And they came and besieged him in Abel Beth Maacah. They threw up a siege ramp against the city, and they stood against the ramparts. And all the army who were with Joab were battering to cause the wall to fall.
16. Then a wise woman from the city called out, “Listen, listen! Please speak to Joab to come near here so that I may speak to you.”
17. Then he came near to her, and the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” And he said, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” He said, “I am listening.”
18. Then she said, “In former times, they would always say, ‘By all means, let them inquire in Abel,’ and so they settled things.
19. I am one of the faithful representatives of Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow the inheritance of Yahweh?”