1And then a troublemaker named Sheba, son of Bichri, a Benjamite, blew a trumpet, and shouted, “We have no part in David, nor do we have any interest in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, O Israel!” 2So the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba. But the men of Judah stayed with their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. 3And when David returned to his palace at Jerusalem, he took his ten concubine women, that he had left to keep house, and put them under guard, and provided for them, but never again went in unto (had no sexual relations) them. So they were kept in confinement until the day of their death, living in widowhood. 4Then David told Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah within three days, and be here, yourself.” 5So Amasa mustered the men of Judah; but he took longer than the three days which David had set for him. 6And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba, son of Bichri, shall do us more harm than Absalom did. Take my troops, and pursue Sheba, or he will seize fortified cities, and escape from us.” 7And so Joab's men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites (King David’s bodyguards), and all the warriors left Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba.

8When they reached the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa met Joab with the men of Judah. And Joab was wearing his uniform over a belt with a dagger in its sheath strapped to his waste; and as he stepped forward, his dagger fell out of its sheath. 9And Joab said to Amasa, “Are you in health, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10But Amasa failed to notice the dagger in Joab's hand; and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it, and his intestines spilled out on the ground, and Amasa quickly died without being stabbed again. Then Joab and Abishai, his brother, went in pursuit of Sheba. 11And one of Joab's men shouted to Amasa’s men, “Whoever favors Joab, and supports David, let him follow Joab.” 12And Amasa still lay wallowing in his own blood in the middle of the road. And when Joab’s man saw that when the men passed Amasa, they stopped to stare at him, he moved Amasa off the highway into the field, and threw a cloth over him. 13And after Amasa was removed from the road, the men followed Joab in pursuit of Sheba.

14Meanwhile, Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth-maacah, and through the entire region of the Berites; and many gathered, and followed him. 15And when the troops of Joab arrived, they besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah, and built a siege mound against the outer rampart (wall) of the city; and all the men who were with Joab battered the wall, to knock it down. 16Then a wise woman from the city shouted, “Listen! Tell Joab to come near here, that I may speak with him.” 17And when he had come near, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” And he answered, “I am he.” Then she told him, “Hear my words.” And he answered, “I’m listening.” 18Then she said, “In olden times they would say, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Abel, if you want to settle a dispute.’ 19We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel; and you are about to destroy an important city in Israel. Why destroy the inheritance of the LORD?” 20And Joab answered, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21That is not my intent; but Sheba, son of Bichri, a man of Mount Ephraim, has instigated a rebellion against King David. Just surrender him, and I will leave the city in peace.” And the woman told Joab, “His head shall be thrown over the wall to you.” 22Then she went to all the people with her wise advice. And they cut off the head of Sheba, and tossed it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, each man to his tent. And Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

23And Joab was now commander of the army of Israel; Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and Pelethites. 24Adoram was over the slave labor; Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was the recorder (historian); 25Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were the priests; 26And Ira, the Jairite, was David’s chief priest.