NET Bible
"She said,“In the past they would always say,‘Let them inquire in Abel,’ and that is how they settled things."
— 2 Samuel 20:18, NET Bible
“Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.”
“Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter. ”
“Then she spoke, saying, "They were used to say in old times, 'They shall surely ask counsel at Abel;' and so they settled it.”
“And she again said: A saying was used in the old proverb: They that inquire, let them inquire in Abela: and so they made an end.”
“Then she said, In the old days, there was a saying, Let them put the question in Abel and in Dan, saying, Has what was ordered by men of good faith in Israel ever come to an end?”
“Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.”
So Joab’s men came and laid siege against him in Abel of Beth Maacah. They prepared a siege ramp outside the city which stood against its outer rampart. As all of Joab’s soldiers were trying to break through the wall so that it would collapse,
a wise woman called out from the city,“Listen up! Listen up! Tell Joab,‘Come near so that I may speak to you.’”
When he approached her, the woman asked,“Are you Joab?” He replied,“I am.” She said to him,“Listen to the words of your servant.” He said,“Go ahead. I’m listening.”
She said,“In the past they would always say,‘Let them inquire in Abel,’ and that is how they settled things.
I represent the peaceful and the faithful in Israel. You are attempting to destroy an important city in Israel. Why should you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”
Joab answered,“Get serious! I don’t want to swallow up or destroy anything!
That’s not the way things are. There is a man from the hill country of Ephraim named Sheba son of Bicri. He has rebelled against King David. Give me just this one man, and I will leave the city.” The woman said to Joab,“This very minute his head will be thrown over the wall to you!”