2Sa 20:16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.

After David had crushed the rebellion led by Absalom, another man by the name of Sheba, who the Scripture describes as a man of Belial, that is, a worthless fellow, led another revolt which divided the kingdom once again (v.1-2). This time round, David acted decisively against Sheba. He sent his army to quash the rebellion. Joab pursued hard on Sheba. Hard pressed by the forces of Joab, Sheba hid himself in the city of Abel. Joab and his army soon appeared and surrounded the city. Without checking with the inhabitants of the city, they began breaking stones out of the wall to make it fall down. At this juncture, a very wise woman in that city called out to Joab (v.16-19). She began by praising the city of Abel as one that was famed for her wisdom and judging rightly of things. That it was common for the inhabitants of other cities, when any controversy arose among them, to say to one another, since we cannot agree this matter among ourselves, let us go to Abel and take advice there (v.18). She said the inhabitants were generally peaceable and faithful in Israel (v.19). She said the destruction which Joab about to bring upon them is an injury to Israel and to the God of Israel. Joab replied he had nothing against the city of Abel but only against Sheba. If the people of Abel would help him get Sheba he would leave the city alone. “And the woman came to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. And he blew the ram's horn, and they were dispersed from the city, each man to his tents. And Joab went back to Jerusalem to the king” (v.22). Solomon says: “Wisdom is better than strength” (Ecclesiastes 9:16). Fights will only produce more fights. Solomon recommends wisdom to the preserving of our peace. The fact of any strife is itself an evil. Sword and sword cannot settle strives. That wise woman, through her wisdom, saved a city from destruction. Certain brethren of the church in Corinth had disputes among themselves (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). They did not settle the disputes within the church but took their quarrels to the court. Either they had no wise man or woman to intercede for them, or those who were wise did not want to get involved. The result was shame to the name of the church. There is often much need of a peacemaker to heal the strife that arises between individuals, families, nations, and church members. Christ says: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Misunderstanding is the primary course of many disputes. Joab thought the city of Abel was in cohort with Sheba and was shielding him. He arrived and straightway went about to demolish the wall of the city. It took a wise woman to save the city from destruction. Had the inhabitants of Abel allied themselves with Sheba, the city would surely suffered destruction under the hands of Joab. They knew bad company is trouble. The Scripture warns us about keeping company with the sinners and wants us to avoid them (1 Corinthians 15:33). Paul exhorts: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). To “endeavour” is to make every effort. Indeed, let us do all we can to maintain peace with our brethren: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).