Where Sheba took refuge from Joab (2Sa 20:14-18); it was captured by Ben-hadad (1Ki 15:20), and by Tiglath-pileser (2Ki 15:29); corresponding to the modern Abil, west of Tell el-Kadi, and north of Lake Huleh.
R. A. S. Macalister.
And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel and to Bethmaachah and all the Berites; and they were gathered together and also went after him. And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and the people went against the wall; and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. read more. Then a wise woman cried out in the city, Hear, hear, I pray you, tell Joab to come here, that I may speak with him. And when he had come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thy handmaid. And he answered, I hear. Then she spoke, saying, They used to speak in old times, saying, If you have a question ask it at Abel; and so they concluded the matter.
So Benhadad hearkened unto King Asa and sent the princes of the hosts, which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon and Dan and Abelbethmaachah and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
In the days of Pekah, king of Israel, came Tiglathpileser, king of Assyria, and took Ijon, Abelbethmaachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee, and all the land of Naphtali and carried them captive to Assyria.