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2 Samuel 20:17

Joab

15 And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it,

16 a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.”

When he had come near to her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said. “I am listening,” he answered.

18 Then the woman said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Seek counsel at Abel,’ and that is how disputes were settled.

19 I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel, but you are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When he had come near to her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said. “I am listening,” he answered.
KJV
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.
WEB
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.”
ASV
And he came near unto her; and the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thy handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
DARBY
And he came near to her; and the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he said, I [am he]. And she said to him, Listen to the words of thy handmaid. And he said, I am listening.
BLB
And he had come near to her, and the woman said, “[Are] you Joab?” And He answered, “I [am].” And she said to him, “Listen to the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.”
ÅB
Da gikk han bort til henne, og kvinnen spurte: Er du Joab? Han svarte: Ja. Hun sa til ham: Hør din tjenerinnes ord! Han svarte: Jeg hører.
OTB
Så nærmet han seg henne, og kvinnen sa, "Er du Joab?" Og han svarte, "Jeg er." Da sa hun til ham, "Hør på ordene til din tjener." Og han sa, "Jeg lytter."
B1930
Da gikk han bort til henne, og kvinnen spurte: Er du Joab? Han svarte: Ja. Hun sa til ham: Hør din tjenerinnes ord! Han svarte: Jeg hører.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 14:12

    Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?” “Speak,” he replied.

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 25:24

    She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.

    Read in context