The king’s soldiers battered the city’s wall with ramparts. It wouldn’t be long before the town of Abel Beth Maacah fell and its citizens were slaughtered.

At the helm of the assault was Joab, King David’s commander-in-chief. The warrior’s hands likely were still red with the blood of his cousin, whom he had just executed to avoid being supplanted.

But one fierce woman dared to act. She stood up to the very person threatening to destroy her world. She spoke truth, wisdom and reason. Then she rallied her community to ensure peace, saving herself and her whole city. 

Her story begins with an attempt to overtake the royal throne. Grab some popcorn as you imagine the dramatic scene unfold.

A City’s Impending Destruction

The death of David’s vain, embittered, power-hungry son Absalom meant the king could return to Jerusalem. But David’s troubles weren’t over. Sheba the son of Bichri led every tribe but Judah to reject the king. 

David asked Amasa, Joab’s cousin, to rally Judah’s troops to put down the rebellion, but Amasa delayed (2 Samuel 20:4-5). So then the task fell to Joab’s brother Abishai. Joab, not wanting to lose his coveted role as David’s No. 1 warrior, followed with his own soldiers.

On the way to find Sheba, Joab met up with Amasa. He greeted his cousin by stabbing him in the gut so that his intestines spilled out. This was double retribution for encroaching on Joab’s turf and not immediately obeying the king.

Joab and his men then tracked Sheba to Abel Beth Maacah and began to batter the city’s wall with a rampart. Nothing and no one would stand between Joab and his enemy.

A Force to be Reckoned With

Well, almost no one. Joab was about to get a dressing-down from the town’s leading lady.

Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.'” And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.”—2 Samuel 20:16-17 (ESV)

Picture it: The city is under attack. The wall is shaking. The sound is deafening. People are likely screaming and running for cover. But in the midst of the chaos, this woman dares to ask for the man commanding the attacking army to come and talk to her. He agrees. And he listens respectfully.

It gets even better from there.

Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?”—2 Samuel 20:18-19 (ESV)

Archeology suggests people did, in fact, visit the city to seek the Lord’s leading, and this wise woman—and others like her (e.g. the wise woman of Tekoa)—were probably venerated members of society. That wasn’t lost on Joab.

He immediately began to back down on his plan to destroy the city. Instead, he simply asked the city’s citizens to hand over Sheba.

Then the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab.—2 Samuel 20:21b-22a (ESV)

Joab’s wrath was appeased. He called off the troops and returned to Jerusalem. The wise woman had saved her city and all who were within its walls. 

What We Can Learn from Her

This ancient matriarch was known for her wisdom, and she proved herself worthy of her reputation. It’s easy to picture her as a no-nonsense modern-day mom or grandma who calls out neighborhood kids for their shenanigans. And they respond with lowered heads and a quiet, “Yes, ma’am.”

How can you use your influence to achieve peace or to help those around you recognize the recklessness of their ways? Be a force for good. Your legacy of wisdom can trickle into the lives of those you touch, and even into generations to come.

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.—Proverbs 28:26 (ESV)

________________________

This is Part 26 in a series about biblical women—some named, some not, some honorable, some less so. But all have earned a place in scripture, and all have important lessons to teach us.