2 Samuel 20
One Head Thrown Over a Wall Saved a City
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The Revolt of Sheba Son of Bichri
20:1There was one called a lawless son, named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. He sounded the horn and said, “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Each to your tents, Israel!”
20:2All the men of Israel left off following David and followed Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah held fast to their king from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
20:3David came to his house in Jerusalem. The king took his ten concubines, whom he had left to guard the house, and placed them in a guarded house. He supported them but did not go in to them. They remained confined until the day of their death, living as widows.
Joab Kills Amasa
20:4The king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah for me within three days, and be there yourself.”
20:5Amasa went to summon Judah, but delayed beyond the time David appointed for him.
20:6David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Now take your lord’s servants with you and pursue him, lest he find fortified cities and cast a shadow over our eyes.”
20:7Joab’s men went out after him, together with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the powerful men. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.
20:8They were beside the great stone at Gibeon when Amasa came before them. Joab was wearing his belted cloak, with a sword strapped at his waist in its sheath. The sword came out and fell.
20:9Joab said to Amasa, “Are you in good health, brother?” Joab’s right hand took hold of Amasa’s beard to kiss him warmly.
20:10Amasa did not guard against the sword in Joab’s hand. Joab struck him with it in the loin, and his entrails spilled to the ground. He did not strike him a second time, and Amasa died. Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.
20:11One of Joab’s young men stood over Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, whoever is for David—follow Joab!”
20:12Amasa lay covered in blood in the middle of the path. The man saw that all the people were stopping, so he moved Amasa off the path into a field and threw a garment over him, because he saw everyone who came upon him stop.
20:13When he was clear of the path, every man of Israel passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.
The Pursuit to Abel Beth-maacah
20:14He passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth-maacah, and all those in Charri gathered and came after him.
20:15They came and besieged him at Abel and Beth-maacah. They heaped up a siege mound against the city, and it stood at the outer defense. All the people with Joab were planning to bring down the wall.
The Wise Woman of Abel
20:16A wise woman called from the wall, “Listen, listen! Please tell Joab to come near here, and I will speak to him.”
20:17He came near her. The woman asked, “Are you Joab?” He said, “I am.” She said to him, “Hear your female servant’s words.” Joab said, “I am listening.”
20:18She said, “Formerly they spoke a saying: ‘Inquiry was made at Abel and Dan whether the things Israel’s faithful had established had come to an end. They will certainly inquire at Abel, and thus whether they had come to an end.’
20:19I am the peaceable part of Israel’s strongholds. You seek to kill a city and a mother city in Israel. Why drown the Lord’s inheritance?”
20:20Joab answered, “May it be averted from me, may it be averted from me to drown or destroy!
20:21That is not the matter. A man from the hill country of Ephraim, named Sheba son of Bichri, has raised his hand against King David. Give him alone to me, and I will withdraw from the city.” The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you through the wall.”
20:22The woman went to all the people and spoke to the whole city in her wisdom. She cut off Sheba son of Bichri’s head and threw it to Joab. He sounded the horn, and they dispersed from the city, each to his tents. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.
David’s Officers After the Revolt
20:23Joab was over all Israel’s army, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites,
20:24Adoniram was over tribute, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder,
20:25Sousa was scribe, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
20:26Ira the Jairite was also priest to David.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V2 · working draft awaiting specialist review.