Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

2 SAMUEL 20:22KJV
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2 Samuel 20:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 20:22 mean?

2 Samuel 20:22 describes how a wise woman convinced the people of her city to execute Sheba, a rebel, by cutting off his head and throwing it to Joab, the commander of King David’s army. After this, Joab called off the siege, and everyone returned home, while Joab went back to Jerusalem to report to the king.

The verse takes place during a tense standoff: Sheba had led a rebellion against King David and was hiding in a city. Joab was ready to destroy the city to capture Sheba, but a wise woman intervened, negotiating peace by persuading the townspeople to hand over Sheba. This action ended the conflict and saved the city from destruction.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 20:22

  • "woman" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): The verse highlights the role of a woman whose wisdom (חָכְמָה, chokhmah) leads to the city’s deliverance, showing that her actions and counsel were decisive in resolving the crisis.
  • "wisdom" (חָכְמָה, chokhmah): The text emphasizes that it was through her wisdom, not force, that the people acted, underlining the value of wise counsel in tense situations.
  • "cut off" (כָּרַת, karat): This word is often used for making covenants or cutting something decisively; here, it stresses the finality of the people’s action in ending Sheba’s rebellion.
  • "blew" (תָּקַע, taqa): Joab’s blowing of the trumpet (שׁוֹפָר, shofar) signaled the end of hostilities, a common way in ancient Israel to communicate military decisions.

Why 2 Samuel 20:22 matters

  • The verse highlights the power of wise intervention, showing that violence was avoided through negotiation and practical wisdom rather than brute force.
  • It clarifies that Joab did not destroy the city, but withdrew as soon as Sheba was handed over, emphasizing restraint and the value placed on innocent lives.
  • This verse connects to the broader narrative of King David’s reign, showing the ongoing challenges to his rule and the crucial roles played by unexpected figures, such as the wise woman.

Where else these words appear

“Bichri” Hebrew H1075 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
  • 2 Samuel 20:6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
  • 2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

“Sheba” Hebrew H7652 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 19:2 And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,
  • 2 Samuel 20:6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
  • 2 Samuel 20:13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

“blew” Hebrew H8628 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 31:25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
  • Judges 7:19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.
  • Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

“trumpet” Hebrew H7782 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
  • 1 Samuel 13:3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
  • Isaiah 27:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.