16 And a wise woman calleth out of the city, 'Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, and I speak unto thee.' 17 And he cometh near unto her, and the woman saith, 'Art thou Joab?' and he saith, 'I 'am'.' And she saith to him, 'Hear the words of thy handmaid;' and he saith, 'I am hearing.' 18 and she speaketh, saying, 'They spake often in former times, saying, Let them diligently ask at Abel, and so they finished. 19 I 'am' of the peaceable—faithful ones of Israel; thou art seeking to destroy a city, and a mother in Israel; why dost thou swallow up the inheritance of Jehovah? 20 And Joab answereth and saith, 'Far be it—far be it from me; I do not swallow up nor destroy. 21 The matter 'is' not so; for a man of the hill-country of Ephraim—Sheba son of Bichri his name—hath lifted up his hand against the king, against David; give ye up him by himself, and I go away from the city.' And the woman saith unto Joab, 'Lo, his head is cast unto thee over the wall.' 22 And the woman cometh unto all the people in her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri, and cast 'it' unto Joab, and he bloweth with a trumpet, and they are scattered from the city, each to his tents, and Joab hath turned back to Jerusalem unto the king.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:16-22
Commentary on 2 Samuel 20:14-22
(Read 2 Samuel 20:14-22)
Justly is that place attacked, which dares to harbour a traitor; nor will the heart fare better which indulges rebellious lusts, that will not have Christ to reign over them. A discreet woman, by her prudent management, satisfied Joab, and yet saved the city. Wisdom is not confined to rank or sex; it consists not in deep knowledge; but in understanding how to act as matters arise, that troubles may be turned away and benefits secured. A great deal of mischief would be prevented, if contending parties would understand one another. Let both sides be undeceived. The single condition of peace is, the surrender of the traitor. It is so in God's dealing with the soul, when besieged by conviction and distress; sin is the traitor; the beloved lust is the rebel: part with that, cast away the transgression, and all shall be well. There is no peace on any other terms.