¹⁷ So Joab went toward her. She asked, “Are you Joab?”

“I am,” he answered.

She said, “Listen to what I have to say.”

“I’m listening,” he said.

¹⁸ She continued, “Long ago people used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel.’ And that would settle the matter. ¹⁹ We are the most peaceful and faithful people in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is like a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up what belongs to the Lord?”