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2 Samuel 20:14–26
Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab (v. 22a).
The rebellious Sheba apparently blitzes through the 10 northern tribes of Israel seeking support for his uprising but finding little. Perhaps the Israelites’ passions have cooled a bit since they walked out on David at Gilgal. Still, Sheba finds a few followers, mainly Berites (either men of Beeroth, a city in Benjamin, or of Bichri, his hometown), and they congregate in the city of Abel of Beth Maachah in the territory of Naphtali in northern Israel. It is there that Joab catches up with them and puts the city under siege.
After Joab and his men have battered the city for a time, one of the residents hails him from the wall. But it is not one of the elders of the city, as we might expect—for some unexplained reason, they have failed to seek a peaceful solution. Thus, a “wise woman” acts to solve the dispute. Matthew Henry notes that this should not surprise us: “Though the man be the head, it does not therefore follow that he has the monopoly of the brains … nor is the treasure of wisdom less valuable for being lodged in the weaker vessel.” The woman displays her wisdom by offering four reasons why Joab should spare the city. First, it is a place noted for wisdom, a place where people traditionally have come to have disputes judged. Second, it is a “peaceable and faithful” city—its inhabitants are loyal to God’s anointed king. Third, it is “a mother in Israel,” a city that nurtures that part of the country. Fourth, it is a part of “the inheritance of the Lord,” Israel, the people of God. Furthermore, in charging that Joab seeks “to destroy a city,” she reminds him that he has failed to first make an offer of peace, as commanded by God (Deut. 20:10).
Joab denies any quarrel with the city, explaining that his goal is only to catch the rebellious Sheba. The woman is quick to promise his head. She then goes to all the people “in her wisdom” and persuades them to exact justice on Sheba to save the city. Thus, another rebel against God’s anointed (and therefore against God) meets a bad end.
This chapter closes with another account of David’s Cabinet (see 2 Sam. 8:15–18). Despite slight differences, it shows us that Joab is back in control of the army, still unpunished for all his rebellion. But the very fact that there is a Cabinet to list shows that David continues to reign as Israel’s king, established just as God promised.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Abel of Beth Maachah had a reputation as a wise city. But in this case, it was the wisdom of the people, not the leaders, that settled the dispute. In the church, we should choose leaders who are men of wisdom—including the wisdom to listen to those they lead. Pray for your leaders and help them with counsel as God enables you.