And therehappenedto be there a manof Belial, whose name was Sheba, the sonof Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blewa trumpet, and said, We have nopartin David, neitherhave we inheritancein the sonof Jesse: every manto his tents, O Israel. So everymanof Israelwent upfrom afterDavid, and followedShebathe sonof Bichri: but the menof Judahcleavedunto their king, fromJordaneven toJerusalem. And Davidcametohis houseat Jerusalem; and the kingtookthe tenwomen his concubines, whomhe had leftto keepthe house, and putthem in ward, and fedthem, but wentnotin untothem. So they wereshut upuntothe dayof their death, livingin widowhood. Then saidthe kingtoAmasa, Assembleme the menof Judahwithin threedays, and be thouherepresent. So Amasawentto assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longerthanthe set timewhichhe had appointedhim. And DavidsaidtoAbishai, Nowshall Shebathe sonof Bichrido us more harmthan did Absalom: takethouthy lord's servants, and pursueafterhim, lesthe gethim fencedcities, and escapeus. And there went outafterhim Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and allthe mighty men: and they went outof Jerusalem, to pursueafterShebathe sonof Bichri. When they were atthe greatstonewhich is in Gibeon, Amasawentbeforethem. And Joab's garmentthat he had put onwas girdeduntohim, and uponit a girdle with a swordfasteneduponhis loinsin the sheaththereof; and as hewent forthit fell out. And Joabsaidto Amasa, Art thouin health, my brother? And JoabtookAmasaby the beardwith the righthandto kisshim. But Amasatook noheedto the swordthat was in Joab's hand: so he smotehim therewith inthe fifth rib , and shed outhis bowelsto the ground, and struckhim notagain; and he died. So Joaband Abishaihis brotherpursuedafterShebathe sonof Bichri. And oneof Joab's menstoodbyhim, and said, HethatfavorethJoab, and hethat is for David, let him go afterJoab. And Amasawallowedin bloodin the midstof the highway. And when the mansawthatallthe peoplestood still, he removedAmasaout ofthe highwayinto the field, and casta clothuponhim, whenhe sawthat everyone that camebyhim stood still. Whenhe was removedout ofthe highway, allthe peoplewent onafterJoab, to pursueafterShebathe sonof Bichri. And he went throughallthe tribesof Israelunto Abel, and to Beth-maachah, and allthe Berites: and they were gathered together, and wentalsoafterhim. And they cameand besiegedhim in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast upa bankagainstthe city, and it stoodin the trench: and allthe peoplethat were withJoabbatteredthe wall, to throw it down. Then crieda wisewomanout ofthe city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, untoJoab, Come nearhither, that I may speakwiththee. And when he was come nearuntoher, the womansaid, Art thouJoab? And he answered, I am he . Then she saidunto him Hearthe wordsof thine handmaid. And he answered, Ido hear. Then she spoke, saying, They were wontto speakin old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and sothey ended the matter . I am one of them that are peaceable and faithfulin Israel: thouseekestto destroya cityand a motherin Israel: whywilt thou swallow upthe inheritanceof the LORD? And Joabansweredand said, Far be it, far be itfrom me, thatI should swallow upordestroy. The matter is notso: buta manof mountEphraim, Shebathe sonof Bichriby name, hath lifted uphis handagainst the king, even against David: deliverhim only, and I will departfromthe city. And the womansaiduntoJoab, Behold, his headshall be throwntothee overthe wall. Then the womanwentuntoallthe peoplein her wisdom. And they cut offthe headof Shebathe sonof Bichri, and cast it outtoJoab. And he blewa trumpet, and they retiredfromthe city, every manto his tent. And Joabreturnedto Jerusalemuntothe king. Now Joab was overallthe hostof Israel: and Benaiahthe sonof Jehoiada was overthe Cherethitesand overthe Pelethites: And Adoram was overthe tribute: and Jehoshaphatthe sonof Ahilud was recorder: And Sheva was scribe: and Zadokand Abiathar were the priests: And Iraalsothe Jairitewasa chief rulerabout David.