13And assoone as he was remoued out of the way, al the people went after Ioab, to folow after Seba the sonne of Bichri.
14And he went thorow all the tribes of Israel, vnto Abel, and to Bethmaacha, and all the places of Berim: And they gathered together, and went after him.
15And they came and besieged him in Abel, neare to Bethmaacha: And they cast vp a bancke against the citie, and the people therof stoode on the ramper, and all the people that was with Ioab, thrust at the wall to ouerthrowe it.
16Then cryed a wyse woman out of the citie, heare, heare, I pray you say vnto Ioab: Come hither that I may speake with thee.
17When Ioab was come vnto her, the woman saide: Art thou Ioab? He aunswered: I am he. She saide vnto him: Heare the wordes of thyne handmayd. And he aunswered: I do heare.
18Then she spake thus: They spake in the olde tyme, saying, They should aske of Abel: And so haue they continued.
19I am one of them that are peaceable & faithfull in Israel, and thou goest about to destroy a citie, and a mother in Israel: Why wilt thou deuour the inheritaunce of the Lorde?
20And Ioab aunswered, and sayd: God forbyd, God forbid it me that I should either deuour, or destroy.