1There happened to be a worthless man there named Sheba, son of Bichri, a Benjamite. He blew the trumpet and said, “We have no share in David, nor any inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!”
2So all the men of Israel stopped following David and followed Sheba, son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed with their king, from the Jordan River all the way to Jerusalem.
3David came to his palace in Jerusalem. The king took the ten women, his concubines, whom he had left to look after the house, and put them in custody. He provided for them but did not sleep with them. So they were confined until the day of their death, living like widows.
4Then the king said to Amasa, “Gather the men of Judah for me within three days and be here yourself.”
5So Amasa went to gather the men of Judah, but he took longer than the time the king had given him.
6David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba, son of Bichri, will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, otherwise he might capture fortified cities and escape from us.”
7Joab’s men went out after him, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba, son of Bichri.
8When they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was dressed in his military uniform, and on it was a sash with a sword fastened to his waist in its sheath. As he walked, the sword fell out.
9Joab said to Amasa, “Are you well, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
10But Amasa did not notice the sword in Joab’s hand. So Joab stabbed him with it in the stomach, spilling his intestines on the ground. He did not stab him again, and Amasa died. Joab and his brother Abishai then went after Sheba, son of Bichri.
11One of Joab’s young men stood by Amasa’s body and said, “Anyone who supports Joab and is for David, let him follow Joab!”
12Amasa lay rolling in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw that everyone who came by stopped, he moved Amasa out of the highway into a field and covered him with a garment.
13As soon as he was out of the road, everyone continued to follow Joab in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
14Sheba traveled through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maacah, and all the Berites. They gathered together and followed him as well.
15They came and surrounded him in Abel of Beth Maacah. They built a siege ramp against the city wall, and Joab’s men battered the wall to break it down.
16Then a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so I can speak with him.”
17He came near to her, and the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” He replied, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to your servant.” He answered, “I’m listening.”
18Then she spoke, saying, “In the past, people used to say, ‘They will surely seek advice at Abel,’ and that’s how they settled disputes.
19I am among the peaceful and faithful people in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why are you trying to swallow up Yahweh’s inheritance?”
20Joab answered, “That’s far from what I intend! I wouldn’t want to swallow up or destroy anyone.
21That’s not the case at all. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, named Sheba son of Bichri, has revolted against the king, against David. Just hand him over, and I will leave the city.” The woman said to Joab, “Look, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.”
22Then the woman, using her wisdom, went to all the people. They cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and everyone scattered from the city, each person going home. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
23Now Joab was in charge of the entire army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
24Adoram was in charge of those forced to do labor, Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the record keeper.
25Sheva was the scribe, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
26And Ira the Jairite was David’s chief minister.