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.”
22. The woman, with her wisdom, came to all of the people in the city, and they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bikri. When they threw it to Joab, he blew the horn, and they dispersed from the city, each going to his own tent. Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
23. Now Joab was over the entire army of Israel. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites.
24. Adoniram was over conscripted labor. Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was secretary.
25. Sheva was scribe. Zadok and Abiathar were priests,
26. and also Ira the Jairite was priest to David.