Bible Strands
2 Samuel 20:22
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The unnamed woman of the besieged city addresses the assembled citizens after negotiating terms with Joab. She delivers his demand to surrender the rebel Sheba son of Bichri in exchange for lifting the siege.
The words — The Hebrew בְּחָכְמָתָהּ (be./cha.khe.ma.Ta/h) literally means "with her wisdom," describing the persuasive method she employed. The verb וַיִּכְרְתוּ (va/i.yikh.re.Tu) translates to "and they cut off," detailing the physical act of decapitating the rebel.
The thread — The text notes that the woman's counsel succeeds where force fails, paralleling the observation in Ecclesiastes 7:19 that wisdom strengthens those who possess it. Joab's blowing of the ram’s horn to disperse his army mirrors his earlier use of the same signal to halt pursuit in 2 Samuel 2:28.
Why it lands — The passage records a negotiated surrender that ends the siege, followed by Joab's immediate return to Jerusalem. It asks the reader to note how strategic counsel and decisive compliance resolve a civil rebellion without further military engagement.
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
Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 20:1 Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!”
- Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
- 2 Samuel 2:28 So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight.
- 2 Samuel 3:28 Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.
- 2 Samuel 11:6 At this, David sent orders to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David.
- 2 Samuel 18:16 Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab had restrained them.
- 2 Samuel 20:16 a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.”
- Ecclesiastes 8:11 When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.
- Ecclesiastes 9:13 I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me: