16. But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.”
17. As he approached, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?”“I am,” he replied.So she said, “Listen carefully to your servant.”“I’m listening,” he said.
18. Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’
19. I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the lord?”
20. And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town!
21. That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.”“All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.”
22. Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.
23. Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard.
24. Adoniram was in charge of forced labor. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian.
25. Sheva was the court secretary. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests.
26. And Ira, a descendant of Jair, was David’s personal priest.