2 Samuel 20

And there was there one called a son of lawlessness, and his name was Sabee son of Bochori, a man of Iemeni. And he blew the horn and said: We have no portion in David, nor any inheritance for us in the son of Iessai. Every man to your tents, O Israel!

And all the men of Israel went up from following David, after Sabee son of Bochori; but the men of Judah clung to their king from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.

And David entered his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, his concubines, whom he had left to guard the house, and put them in a house of custody, and provided for them, but he did not go in to them. And they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows.

And the king said to Amessai: Call the men of Judah to me within three days, and you yourself stand here.

And Amessai went to call Judah, but he delayed beyond the time which David had appointed for him.

And David said to Abessa: Now Sabee son of Bochori will do us more harm than Abessalom. So now take your lord's servants with you and pursue after him, lest he find fortified cities for himself and overshadow our eyes.

And the men of Joab went out after him, and the Chereththi and the Pheleththi and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue after Sabee son of Bochori.

And they were by the great stone that is in Gabaon, and Amessai came in before them. And Joab was girded with a cloak, his garment, and over it he was girded with a sword fastened at his loins in its sheath; and the sword came out and fell.

And Joab said to Amessai: Are you well, my brother? And Joab's right hand took hold of Amessai's beard to kiss him.

But Amessai was not on guard against the sword that was in Joab's hand, and Joab struck him with it in the loin, and his bowels poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him a second time, and he died. And Joab and Abessa his brother pursued after Sabee son of Bochori.

And a man of Joab's young men stood over him and said: Who is for Joab, and who is for David? After Joab!

And Amessai lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And the man saw that all the people stood still, and he turned Amessai aside from the highway into a field and threw a garment over him, because he saw that everyone who came upon him stood still.

And when he was gotten out of the highway, every man of Israel passed on after Joab, to pursue after Sabee son of Bochori.

And he passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and to Baithmacha, and all those in Charri; and they were gathered together and came after him.

And they came and besieged him in Abel and Baithmacha, and they poured out a mound against the city, and it stood against the outer wall; and all the people who were with Joab were minded to throw down the wall.

And a wise woman cried out from the wall and said: Hear, hear! Say now to Joab: Come near here, and I will speak to you.

And he drew near to her, and the woman said: Are you Joab? And he said: I am. And she said to him: Hear the words of your slave woman. And Joab said: I am listening.

And she spoke, saying: A word they spoke in former times, saying: Let it surely be asked in Abel and in Dan whether the things which the faithful of Israel established have failed. Asking they shall ask in Abel, and so whether they have failed.

I am of the peaceable ones, of the supports of Israel; but you seek to put to death a city and a mother-city in Israel. Why do you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?

And Joab answered and said: Far be it from me, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or that I should destroy!

That is not the matter; but a man from Mount Ephraim, Sabee son of Bochori is his name, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give him alone to me, and I will go away from the city. And the woman said to Joab: Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.

And the woman went in to all the people and spoke to the whole city in her wisdom; and she took off the head of Sabee son of Bochori and threw it to Joab. And he blew the horn, and they were scattered from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

And Joab was over all the host of Israel, and Banaias son of Iodae was over the Chereththi and over the Pheleththi;

and Adoniram was over the tribute, and Iosaphat son of Achilouth was the recorder;

and Sousa was scribe, and Saddok and Abiathar were priests;

and also Iras the Iarin was priest to David.