The Peacemaker of Abel:

True heroes don't always use swords but some use their voice. Let's meet the wise woman of Abel who not only saved herself but her city with her courage and wisdom.

Background

During the reign of King David, there arose a rebellion led by Sheba, the son of Bikri, a Benjamite. Only the men of Judah stayed with King David. The army of Sheba fled to Abel-Beth-Maacah, a strong city in the north, in the land of Naphtali (2 Kings 15:29). We don't know if Sheba took the city by force or by consent. The army of Joab was sent by King David to capture Sheba and subdue the rebellion. Joab and his army besieged the city Abel-Beth-Maacah, this meant the destruction of the city. The people of Abel found themselves in the middle of a conflict that they didn't start.

The Role of the Woman

Amid the rebellion stood this woman who is not named but known for her wisdom, she entreats Joab to listen to her. She reminds him that her city “we are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel, why do you want to swallow up the Lord's inheritance?” (2Samuel 20:19).

They both come up with a solution, Sheba's head will be the ransom for the city. “Then the woman went to all her people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab.” So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 20:22).

Through her wisdom and her skills of negotiation, this woman not only saved her city but still served justice.

Lessons We Can Learn From Her

We can influence others

This woman must have had some influence in her city because the people listened to her “then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri...” (2 Samuel 20:22). This speaks to her respected position and the trust her people placed in her judgment. Not only did her people listen to her but Joab did too.

Being a Peacemaker

This woman stood up in the middle of conflict when no one else would. She became the voice of reason between Joab and her people. 2 Samuel 20:18,19, “So she spoke, saying, “They used to talk in former times, saying, 'They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,' and so they would end disputes. I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel, you seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?” She reminds him that this city was famous for wisdom. She subtle scolds Joab for not offering them peace.

Being Courageous when its needed

This woman's action shows courage when her city was under seiged by Joab and his army. In the midst of the walls being battered, “a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, 'Come nearby that I may speak with you” (2 Samuel 20:16, NKJ). She stepped up when none of the men of Abel did. She gains the attention of Joab. The wise woman reminds me of Abigail when she went to save her household before King David. Both of the women knew what had to be done and did it. We need to be courageous when conflict arises in our life.

Conclusion

The wise woman of Abel shows us that sometimes our true strength comes wisdom and courage instead of power and strength. This woman's courage saved her city from its destruction over a misunderstanding on both sides. We can learn from this woman by knowing that we can be the voice of peace in times of conflict.

© 2024 Lisa Jane