2 Samuel 20:14-26 - Wisdom From A Woman Under Siege
14 Sheba went through all of the tribes of Israel when he came to the town of Abel Beth-Maacah. His best soldiers met him there and followed him into the town. 15 Joab and his troops surrounded Abel, so no one could go in or come out. They made a dirt ramp (rampart) up to the town wall. Then they used a battering ram to knock the wall down. 16 A wise woman shouted from the top of the wall: Hear this! Listen to me! I must talk to Joab! Tell him to come here!
17 He came near. She asked: Are you Joab? I am, He answered. Listen to what I have to say, She told him. I am listening, He answered.
18 She said: There is an old saying: 'Be sure to seek guidance from Abel before doing anything.' That is the way they settle disputes. 19 We are peaceful and faithful Israelites. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel? Why should you swallow up what belongs to Jehovah?'
20 Joab answered: That is unthinkable! I do not wish to swallow it up or destroy it. 21 That is not so. A man from the mountains of Ephraim by the name of Sheba son of Bichri has rebelled against King David. Give him to me and I will withdraw from the city. The woman told Joab: Watch, for his head will be thrown to you from the wall. 22 She went to the people of the city with her plan. They cut off Sheba's head and threw it over the wall to Joab. He blew the trumpet as a signal for his men to leave the city. They went back home. Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
23 Joab was in command of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of David's bodyguards. 24 Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was in charge of the records. 25 Sheva was the court secretary. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests. 26 And Ira, a descendant of Jair, was a priest to David.