Topical Encyclopedia The term "Siege: Abel" refers to the biblical account of the siege of the city of Abel Beth Maacah, as recorded in the Old Testament. This event is primarily detailed in 2 Samuel 20, during the reign of King David. Abel Beth Maacah was a significant city in the northern part of Israel, known for its wisdom and counsel.Historical Context The siege of Abel Beth Maacah occurred during a period of political unrest in Israel. After the rebellion of Absalom, David's son, another insurrection arose, led by a man named Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. Sheba's rebellion is described as a significant threat to the unity of Israel, as he called for the tribes to separate from David's rule, declaring, "We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!" (2 Samuel 20:1). The Siege In response to Sheba's rebellion, King David dispatched his military commander Joab, along with the king's elite troops, to pursue Sheba. Sheba sought refuge in the fortified city of Abel Beth Maacah. Joab's forces laid siege to the city, constructing a siege ramp against the outer wall to breach it. During the siege, a wise woman from the city intervened, seeking to prevent the destruction of Abel Beth Maacah. She called out to Joab, requesting a parley. The woman reminded Joab of the city's reputation for wisdom and counsel, saying, "They used to say in the past, 'Seek counsel at Abel,' and that is how disputes were settled" (2 Samuel 20:18). She argued that the city was a "mother in Israel" and questioned why Joab would seek to destroy it. Resolution The wise woman's intervention led to a peaceful resolution. She negotiated with Joab, who expressed that his intent was not to destroy the city but to capture Sheba. The woman assured Joab that the city would deliver Sheba to him. Consequently, the inhabitants of Abel Beth Maacah beheaded Sheba and threw his head over the wall to Joab. With Sheba's death, the rebellion was quashed, and Joab withdrew his forces, sparing the city from destruction. Significance The siege of Abel Beth Maacah highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative. It underscores the importance of wisdom and diplomacy in resolving conflicts, as demonstrated by the wise woman's successful negotiation with Joab. The event also illustrates the challenges of maintaining unity and order in the kingdom of Israel during David's reign. Furthermore, it reflects the broader biblical theme of divine providence, as God uses unexpected means and individuals to achieve His purposes and maintain the stability of His chosen people. References in Scripture · 2 Samuel 20:1-22 : The primary account of the siege and the wise woman's intervention. · 2 Samuel 20:18 : The city's reputation for wisdom and counsel. The account of the siege of Abel Beth Maacah serves as a testament to the power of wisdom and the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions in times of conflict, aligning with the broader biblical principles of justice and righteousness. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 20:15And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. Nave's Topical Index Library Questions. Treatise ix. On the Advantage of Patience. The Letter of the Church of Rome General Index. "Lazarus, Come Forth" The First vision "On Earth" Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Paul's Departure and Crown; An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... The Barren Fig-Tree; Resources Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Zedekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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