16. a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Say to Joab, ‘Come closer so that I may speak with you.’ ”
17. When he came near, the woman said, “Are you Joab?”He said, “I am.”She said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant,” and he said, “I’m listening.”
18. She said, “In former times, they would say, ‘Let them inquire carefully in Abel,’ and thus they would resolve an issue.
19. I am a trustworthy and faithful one of Israel. You are attempting to destroy a city, even a mother, in Israel. Why do you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?”
20. Joab responded, “Far be it, far be it from me to swallow up or destroy.
21. That is not true. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bikri by name, has lifted his hand against King David. Only deliver him, and I will depart from the city.”And the woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you over the wall.”