2 Samuel 20:18-26: a reflection

18Then she spoke, saying, “They used to say in old times, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. 19I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?” 20Joab answered, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. 21The matter is not so. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. Just deliver him, and I will depart from the city.” The woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” 22Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. 23Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites, 24Adoram was over the men subject to forced labor, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder, 25Sheva was scribe, Zadok and Abiathar were priests, 26and Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David.

When Joab's army besieges a city to capture the rebel Sheba who has taken refuge there, a wise woman of the city calls out to Joab and averts the destruction. She reminds him of the city's reputation for wisdom and peace, and asks why he would destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. When Joab explains that he only wants the rebel, she promises to have Sheba's head thrown over the wall; and by her wisdom, she persuades the people, the rebel is dealt with, and the whole city is saved from destruction. One wise woman's counsel averted disaster.

Notice what the wise woman's wisdom accomplished: she averted the destruction of a whole city. The city faced ruin; but this one woman, with wisdom, spoke to Joab, understood the real issue, and found a way to resolve it that spared the city. Her wisdom made peace where there would have been destruction, resolving the matter without the ruin that seemed to be coming. One wise person, seeing clearly and acting wisely, saved a whole city from disaster. Her peacemaking wisdom averted the catastrophe that force alone would have brought.

That is worth taking to heart, for wisdom that makes peace can avert great harm, and one wise person can make a great difference. Conflicts and crises can rush toward destruction, force meeting force; but wisdom, seeing clearly and finding a way to resolve the matter, can avert the disaster, as the wise woman saved her city. And it can take only one wise person to make the difference. Value the wisdom that makes peace and averts harm, seeking to resolve conflicts wisely rather than letting them rush to destruction; and do not think one person's wisdom too small to matter, for one wise woman saved a whole city. Be a peacemaker, using wisdom to avert harm and resolve conflict, as the wise woman of Abel saved her city from destruction by her counsel; for wisdom that makes peace can avert great disaster, and one wise person can make a great difference.

Lord, when Joab's army besieges a city to capture the rebel Sheba who has taken refuge there, a wise woman of the city calls out to Joab and averts the destruction. She reminds him of the city's reputation for wisdom and peace, and asks why he would destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. When Joab explains that he only wants the rebel, she promises to have Sheba dealt with; and by her wisdom, she persuades the people, and the whole city is saved. One wise woman's counsel averted disaster. Show me what the wise woman's wisdom accomplished: she averted the destruction of a whole city. The city faced ruin; but this one woman, with wisdom, spoke to Joab, understood the real issue, and found a way to resolve it that spared the city. Her wisdom made peace where there would have been destruction. One wise person, seeing clearly and acting wisely, saved a whole city. Take that to my heart, for wisdom that makes peace can avert great harm, and one wise person can make a great difference. Conflicts and crises can rush toward destruction; but wisdom, finding a way to resolve the matter, can avert the disaster. And it can take only one wise person to make the difference. Help me value the wisdom that makes peace and averts harm, Lord, seeking to resolve conflicts wisely rather than letting them rush to destruction; and keep me from thinking one person's wisdom too small to matter. Help me be a peacemaker, using wisdom to avert harm, as the wise woman of Abel saved her city.