2So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed with their king and escorted him from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

3When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to look after the palace and placed them in seclusion. Their needs were provided for, but he no longer slept with them. So each of them lived like a widow until she died.

4Then the king told Amasa, “Mobilize the army of Judah within three days, and report back at that time.”

5So Amasa went out to notify Judah, but it took him longer than the time he had been given.

6Then David said to Abishai, “Sheba son of Bicri is going to hurt us more than Absalom did. Quick, take my troops and chase after him before he gets into a fortified town where we can’t reach him.”

7So Abishai and Joab,20:7a Hebrew So Joab’s men. together with the king’s bodyguard20:7b Hebrew the Kerethites and Pelethites; also in 20:23. and all the mighty warriors, set out from Jerusalem to go after Sheba.

8As they arrived at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa met them. Joab was wearing his military tunic with a dagger strapped to his belt. As he stepped forward to greet Amasa, he slipped the dagger from its sheath.20:8 Hebrew As he stepped forward, it fell out.

9“How are you, my cousin?” Joab said and took him by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him.

10Amasa didn’t notice the dagger in his left hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it so that his insides gushed out onto the ground. Joab did not need to strike again, and Amasa soon died. Joab and his brother Abishai left him lying there and continued after Sheba.

11One of Joab’s young men shouted to Amasa’s troops, “If you are for Joab and David, come and follow Joab.”

12But Amasa lay in his blood in the middle of the road, and Joab’s man saw that everyone was stopping to stare at him. So he pulled him off the road into a field and threw a cloak over him.

13With Amasa’s body out of the way, everyone went on with Joab to capture Sheba son of Bicri.

14Meanwhile, Sheba traveled through all the tribes of Israel and eventually came to the town of Abel-beth-maacah. All the members of his own clan, the Bicrites,20:14 As in Greek and Latin versions; Hebrew reads All the Berites. assembled for battle and followed him into the town.

15When Joab’s forces arrived, they attacked Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the town’s fortifications and began battering down the wall.

16But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.”

17As he approached, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?”

18Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’

19I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel.20:19 Hebrew a town that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the Lord?”

20And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town!

21That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.”

22Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

23Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard.

24Adoniram20:24 As in Greek version (see also 1 Kgs 4:6; 5:14); Hebrew reads Adoram. was in charge of forced labor. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian.

25Sheva was the court secretary. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests.

26And Ira, a descendant of Jair, was David’s personal priest.