2 Samuel 20:21 kjv
The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
2 Samuel 20:21 nkjv
That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city." So the woman said to Joab, "Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall."
2 Samuel 20:21 niv
That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I'll withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you from the wall."
2 Samuel 20:21 esv
That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city." And the woman said to Joab, "Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall."
2 Samuel 20:21 nlt
That's not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace." "All right," the woman replied, "we will throw his head over the wall to you."
2 Samuel 20 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 9:6 | "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." | Divine principle of justice for bloodshed. |
| Deut 20:10-12 | "When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it..." | Laws regarding sieges and offers of peace. |
| Judg 9:53-54 | "And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech's head..." | Woman's decisive action against a military leader. |
| 1 Sam 17:54 | "And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem..." | Displaying enemy's head as proof of victory. |
| 1 Sam 31:9-10 | "They cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent them..." | Public display of a vanquished enemy's body parts. |
| 2 Sam 14:2-20 | Joab sends for a wise woman of Tekoa to plead with David... | Joab's earlier use of a wise woman's counsel. |
| 2 Sam 18:14-15 | "Then Joab said, 'I will not thus wait with you.' And he took three javelins... into Absalom's heart..." | Swift, violent end to a rebellion's leader. |
| 1 Ki 2:28-34 | Joab put to death for previous rebellions and bloodguilt. | Consequences for actions against legitimate rule. |
| Prov 11:14 | "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." | The value of wise counsel in preventing disaster. |
| Prov 24:6 | "For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." | Wise counsel crucial for victory. |
| Eccl 9:14-16 | "There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it... but a poor wise man saved the city..." | Wisdom saving a city from destruction. |
| Isa 1:20 | "But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” | Consequences of rebellion and resistance. |
| Jer 27:8-11 | Nations that refuse to serve Nebuchadnezzar will be "punished by sword... till I have consumed them." | Warning against rebellion leading to destruction. |
| Dan 5:28 | "Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." | Consequences of pride and rebellion for leaders. |
| Rom 13:1-4 | "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad... for he is God's servant, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." | Governing authorities' right to administer justice. |
| John 11:50 | "Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." | The principle of one dying to save many. |
| Acts 25:11 | Paul states, "If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death." | Accepting the consequence of deserving death. |
| Eph 2:14-16 | "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility..." | Christ breaking down walls of hostility. |
| Col 1:20 | "and through him to reconcile to himself all things... making peace by the blood of his cross." | Peace made through the cost of a life. |
| Heb 12:14 | "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." | Importance of pursuing peace. |
2 Samuel 20 verses
2 Samuel 20 21 Meaning
This verse recounts the decisive moment where the wise woman of Abel-Beth-Maacah, having negotiated with Joab, offers a concrete and immediate solution to avert the city's destruction: the head of Sheba, the rebel leader, will be severed and delivered to Joab. This act signifies the complete end of Sheba's rebellion and the restoration of peace and Davidic authority, albeit through a brutal, pragmatic measure by the city's inhabitants to save themselves.
2 Samuel 20 21 Context
Chapter 20 of 2 Samuel describes the immediate aftermath of Absalom's failed rebellion and the emergence of a new threat to David's kingdom posed by Sheba, a Benjamite, who calls for Israel to abandon David. Joab, now back in command, rapidly pursues Sheba. Sheba takes refuge in Abel-Beth-Maacah, a fortified city in northern Israel. Joab lays siege to the city, constructing a siege ramp against its walls, threatening its complete destruction. Faced with imminent ruin, a wise woman from within the city engages Joab in a negotiation, questioning why he would destroy a "mother in Israel." This verse encapsulates her resolution to protect her city by delivering the single source of conflict. Historically, David's rule was fragile, recovering from a major rebellion. The swift suppression of Sheba's uprising was crucial to re-establish stability and unity within a divided Israel. The common practice in ancient warfare for demonstrating defeat was presenting the head of the vanquished enemy leader, ensuring peace and preventing further bloodshed in besieged cities.
2 Samuel 20 21 Word analysis
- And she said (וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ - vattomer): The Hebrew 'וַ' (vav) meaning 'and' connecting this statement directly to the previous negotiation. The verb form indicates an immediate and complete action in response, emphasizing the wise woman's pivotal role. Her agency and voice are central to resolving the crisis.
- Behold (הִנֵּ֛ה - hinneh): An emphatic particle meaning "look," "pay attention," or "lo." It serves to draw Joab's immediate attention to the coming decisive act, signifying the swiftness and certainty of the proposed action.
- his head (רֹאשֹֽוֹ - ro'sho): The noun rosh (head) specifically. In ancient warfare and political contexts, presenting the severed head of an enemy leader was irrefutable proof of their demise, serving to demoralize followers and declare total victory. It was a tangible and grisly trophy that certified the end of a rebellion or conflict.
- shall be thrown (מֻשְׁלָ֥ךְ - mushlākh): A passive participle from the root shalakh (to throw, cast, send). The passive voice suggests the act will be performed by others – likely the city's inhabitants – at her instruction or as a communal decision. This implies their readiness to purge the troublemaker to save their community. The word choice implies a forceful and decisive action.
- to you (אֵלֶ֖יךָ - ’êlekha): The preposition 'el means "to" or "toward," directly linking the action to Joab as the recipient and representative of David's authority. This personalizes the delivery and signifies an agreement of terms.
- over the wall (מֵעַ֥ל הַחֹמָֽה - me‘al ha-ḥōmāh): The preposition me‘al (from upon, over, above) combined with chomah (wall). This detail indicates the precise location of the delivery – a visible act across the defensive barrier. It visually seals the deal, allowing Joab and his forces outside the wall to confirm the resolution without needing to breach the city. It underscores the complete cooperation from within the city.
Words-group analysis:
- "Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall": This concise, declarative statement delivers the crux of the agreement. It outlines the specific, grisly act (delivery of the severed head), the target recipient (Joab), and the method (over the city wall). This group of words communicates a shocking yet highly pragmatic and decisive solution in ancient warfare, signaling immediate compliance and the definitive end of a significant threat without further conflict or destruction.
2 Samuel 20 21 Bonus section
- The phrase "a mother in Israel" (2 Sam 20:19), used by the wise woman earlier in her appeal, underlines the significance and ancient status of Abel-Beth-Maacah, lending more weight to the plea for its preservation. This echoes Deborah being called a "mother in Israel" (Judg 5:7), emphasizing the protective and foundational role the city, through its wise inhabitant, played for the larger community.
- This account contrasts Joab's often brutal and impulsive actions (e.g., assassinating Abner and Amasa) with his willingness here to listen to reason and negotiation. It demonstrates that even a seasoned and ruthless commander could be swayed by wisdom and pragmatic solutions that prevented unnecessary bloodshed.
- The story underscores the moral dilemmas faced during wartime: Is it permissible to sacrifice one life to save many? This verse provides an example where, from a human standpoint, the communal good was prioritized, leading to a grim but effective resolution.
2 Samuel 20 21 Commentary
This verse is the pivotal resolution to the dramatic confrontation between Joab and the wise woman of Abel-Beth-Maacah. The wise woman, in a stunning act of civic courage and strategic negotiation, proposes the ultimate sacrifice of one man to save her entire city. Her wisdom is evident not only in her persuasive words to Joab (previously) but also in her practical leadership, mobilizing her people to eliminate the source of conflict. The graphic detail of Sheba's head being "thrown over the wall" underscores the harsh realities of justice and warfare in the ancient world. This was a common, brutal custom to verify the death of a leader and discourage further resistance, simultaneously proving loyalty to the victorious power. For the city of Abel-Beth-Maacah, this was an agonizing yet rational choice for self-preservation, opting for the execution of a rebel in their midst rather than suffering siege, famine, and wholesale slaughter. The swiftness of the action, implied by "shall be thrown," highlights the immediate crisis averted. This event illustrates that even in moments of extreme peril, discernment and decisive action by one individual can pivot outcomes from destruction to salvation for many.