A Woman Helps Joab

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 20:16-26. A wise woman from the city called out to Joab saying she wanted to talk to him. She asked if he was Joab and if he would listen to her. He told her he was Joab and he would hear her plea.

She told him that she was faithful to Israel and wanted to know if he was trying to destroy the city. He told her that they weren’t trying to destroy the city they were looking for a man named Sheba who had come against the king.

She told Joab that she would give him Sheba’s head if he would not destroy the city. Joab agreed. She conferred with the people of the city and they delivered Sheba’s head across the wall to Joab. Not only did this woman help Joab and his men conquer their enemy, she saved her city from destruction as well.

Once they received Sheba’s head Joab’s men returned to their tents and Joab went back to Jerusalem.

Joab was over the army of Israel. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and Pelethites.

Adoram was over the laborers. Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was the recorder (record keeper).

Sheva was a scribe. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests. Ira, the Jairite, was a chief ruler for David.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 20:16-26

16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
17 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
18 Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
19 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?
20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
22 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.
23 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
24 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:
25 And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
26 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.

Things to think about:

• What was the woman’s concern?
• With whom did she barter?
• What kind of agreement did they come to?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read the Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that there was a woman who bartered with Joab for Sheba’s head. She wanted to protect her city. Reading this Scripture reminds us that there were wise women who were used to accomplish things even in Biblical times. Help us not to discount our ability to make a difference in the world because we are women. Give us the courage we need to accomplish whatever You would have us to. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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The Book of Malachi: A Message from the LORD is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. Malachi was considered to be a “Messenger of the LORD.” God delivered His message to the people of Israel through Malachi. Malachi was one of the twelve prophets from the Old Testament. The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible.

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