2 Samuel 20:17

17 So Joab approached her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" "I am," he answered. "Pay close attention to the words of your female servant," she said. "I'm listening," Joab replied.

2 Samuel 20:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 20:17

And when he was come near unto her
As he did, upon the information of his men, that a woman on the wall had something to say to him:

the woman said, [art] thou Joab?
she was willing to be satisfied that he was really the general, before she would impart her mind to him:

and he answered, I [am he];
the very person you ask after:

and she said unto him, hear the words of thine handmaid;
though a woman, vouchsafe to hear what I have to say:

and he answered, I do hear:
am ready to hear, and shall patiently and attentively hear whatever may be spoken; which was giving her leave and encouragement to proceed.

2 Samuel 20:17 In-Context

15 Then Joab's men arrived and attacked Sheba at Abel of Beth-maacah. They piled up a ramp against the city, and it stood against the outer wall. All of Joab's troops were hammering the wall, trying to bring it down.

16 Then a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come over here, so I can talk to him."

17 So Joab approached her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" "I am," he answered. "Pay close attention to the words of your female servant," she said. "I'm listening," Joab replied.

18 She said, "People used to say long ago: ‘Ask your question at Abel,' and that settled the matter.

19 I am one of the peaceful and faithful in Israel, but you are trying to kill a city that is one of Israel's mothers! Why would you annihilate the LORD's inheritance?"