Doug Van Pelt

Off With His Head!

Sheba "lifted up his hand" against the King -- David. Joab went off to where he was (Abel Beth Maacah). Joab and his men built a siege ramp up to the city and were battering the wall to bring it down. A woman from the city (identified as "a wise woman from the city") called from the city to speak to Joab. She told him that Abel was a peaceful city and questioned why Joab was going to destroy it. Joab told her that he was looking for one man -- Sheba -- and if they handed him over, they'd leave the city alone. "His head will be thrown to you from the wall," she said.

Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and (sure enough) they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bicri and threw it to Joab.

Now who said the Bible wasn't good reading? (2 Samuel 20)