Add parallel Print Page Options

16 [a]Suddenly a wise woman stood on the rampart and shouted from the town: “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.” 17 When Joab approached her, the woman asked: “Are you Joab?” He answered: “I am.” She continued: “Listen to what your maidservant has to say.” He replied: “I am listening.”

18 She then spoke as follows: “In the old days they used to say: ‘Go to Abel if you wish to find the answer,’ and in that way a matter would be settled.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 20:16 A wise woman . . . shouted from the town: this marks the second incidence in 2 Samuel of a wise woman taking on a traditional male role as spokesperson (see 2 Sam 14:1-20). Previously the wise woman from Tekoa interceded with King David at Joab’s instruction. Now another woman speaks up of her own accord and is able to convince Joab to spare her town.