Bible Strands
2 Samuel 20:19
I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel, but you are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A woman from Abel Beth Maakah addresses Joab and his besieging army. She speaks during the negotiation phase to halt the assault and demand a surrender.
The words — The Hebrew term שְׁלֻמֵ֖י (she.lu.Mei) translates literally to "peaceable ones," while אֱמוּנֵ֣י ('e.mu.Nei) means "faithful ones." These descriptors establish her claim to civic stability and covenantal loyalty rather than military opposition.
The thread — The designation "LORD’s inheritance" appears in 1 Samuel 26:19 and 2 Samuel 21:3 to mark Israel as God’s possessed community. The appeal to a city that functions as a refuge and counsel center aligns with the procedural role of Abel noted in 2 Samuel 20:18.
Why it lands — The text records a direct challenge to military leaders, asserting that destruction of a covenant city violates divine ownership. It requires the reader to weigh whether armed action respects established civic institutions and God’s claimed people.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 26:19 Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’
- 2 Samuel 21:3 So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?”
- 2 Samuel 17:16 Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”
- 1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.
- Genesis 18:23 Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
- Exodus 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
- Numbers 16:32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions.
- Numbers 26:10 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign.
- Deuteronomy 32:9 But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance.
- Judges 5:7 Life in the villages ceased; it ended in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, a mother in Israel.