13Once he was removed from the road, all the people continued after Joab, pursuing Sheba the son of Bichri.
14Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites gathered together and followed him.
15They besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, building a siege ramp against the city that stood against the wall, and all the people with Joab battered the wall to bring it down.
16Then a wise woman called out from the city, Listen, listen; please say to Joab, Come here, that I may speak with you.
17When he came near her, the woman asked, Are you Joab? He answered, I am. Then she said, Listen to the words of your servant. And he answered, I am listening.
18She continued, In former times, they used to say, Let them ask counsel at Abel; and so they resolved disputes.
19I am one of the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
20Joab answered, Far be it from me, far be it from me, to swallow up or destroy.