13
And when he was removed out of the way, all the people went on following Joab to pursue after Seba the son of Bochri.
14
Now he had passed through all the tribes of Israel unto Abela and Bethmaacha: and all the chosen men were gathered together unto him.
15
And they came, and besieged him in Abela, and in Bethmaacha, and they cast up works round the city, and the city was besieged: and all the people that were with Joab, laboured to throw down the walls.
16
And a wise woman cried out from the city: Hear, hear, and say to Joab: Come near hither, and I will speak with thee.
17
And when he was come near to her, she said to him: Art thou Joab? And he answered: I am. And she spoke thus to him: Hear the words of thy handmaid. He answered: I do hear.
18
And she again said: A saying was used in the old proverb: They that inquire, let them inquire in Abela: and so they made an end.
19
Am not I she that answer truth in Israel, and thou seekest to destroy the city, and to overthrow a mother in Israel? Why wilt thou throw down the inheritance of the Lord?
20
And Joab answering said: God forbid, God forbid that I should, I do not throw down, nor destroy.
21
The matter is not so, but a man of mount Ephraim, Seba the son of Bochri by name, hath lifted up his hand against king David: deliver him only, and we will depart from the city. And the woman said to Joab: Behold his head shall be thrown to thee from the wall.
22
So she went to all the people, and spoke to them wisely: and they cut off the head of Seba the son of Bochri, and cast it out to Joab. And he sounded the trumpet, and they departed from the city, every one to their home: and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
23
So Joab was over all the army of Israel: and Banaias the son of Joiada was over the Cerethites and Phelethites,