He came near to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?”
He answered, “I am.”
Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.”
He answered, “I’m listening.”
THE SURROUNDING PASSAGE
2 Samuel 20:17 in context
2 Samuel 20:14–20
14
He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites. They were gathered together, and went also after him.
15
They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down.
16
Then a wise woman cried out of the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come near here, that I may speak with you.’”
17
Selected verse
He came near to her; and the woman said, “Are you Joab?”
He answered, “I am.”
Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your servant.”
He answered, “I’m listening.”
18
Then she spoke, saying, “They used to say in old times, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter.
19
I 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?”
20
Joab answered, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
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