2 Samuel 20:22
New International Version
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
Then the woman wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
Then the woman wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
Then the woman wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then 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. So he blew the trumpet, and they were scattered from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people [to inform them of the agreement]. And they beheaded Sheba the son of Bichri and threw his head [down] to Joab. So he blew the trumpet [signaling the end of the attack], and they dispersed from the city, every man to his own tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to [David] the king.

Christian Standard Bible
The woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn, and they dispersed from the city, each to his own tent. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn, and they dispersed from the city, each to his own tent. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

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

Contemporary English Version
She went to the people of the town and talked them into doing it. They cut off Sheba's head and threw it to Joab. Joab blew a signal on his trumpet, and the soldiers returned to their homes. Joab went back to David in Jerusalem.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the woman went to all the people with her clever plan. They cut off Sheba's head and threw it to Joab. He blew the ram's horn, and everyone scattered and withdrew from the city and went home. Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
Then she went to the people of the city with her plan, and they cut off Sheba's head and threw it over the wall to Joab. He blew the trumpet as a signal for his men to leave the city, and they went back home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

International Standard Version
Then the woman wisely went back to her people. They cut off the head of Bichri's son Sheba and threw it out to Joab, so Joab sounded his battle trumpet and they withdrew from the city. Everybody went back home and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram?s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

NET Bible
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice and they cut off Sheba's head and threw it out to Joab. Joab blew the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each going to his own home. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
Then she spoke to all the city with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from him, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to Jerusalem to the king.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the woman went to 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 to the king.

World English Bible
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the woman comes to all the people in her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri, and cast [it] to Joab, and he blows with a horn, and they are scattered from the city, each [goes] to his tents, and Joab has turned back to Jerusalem to the king.

Young's Literal Translation
And the woman cometh unto all the people in her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri, and cast it unto Joab, and he bloweth with a trumpet, and they are scattered from the city, each to his tents, and Joab hath turned back to Jerusalem unto the king.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the woman will go to all the people in her wisdom: and they will cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and cast to Joab. And he will strike upon the trumpet, and they will disperse from the city, a man to his tent. And Joab turned back to Jerusalem to the king.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So she went to all the people, and spoke to them wisely: and they cut off the head of Seba the son of Bochri, and cast it out to Joab. And he sounded the trumpet, and they departed from the city, every one to their home: and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, she entered to all the people, and she spoke to them wisely. And they cut off the head of Sheba, the son of Bichri, and they threw it down to Joab. And he sounded the trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, each one to his own tent. But Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

New American Bible
In her wisdom, the woman went to all the people, and they cut off the head of Sheba, son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He then sounded the horn, and they scattered from the city to their own tents, while Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise plan. And they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, and all went to their homes, while Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Shamoa, the son of Bichri, and threw it out over the wall to Joab. And Joab blew the trumpet, and they withdrew from the city and departed every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the woman in her wisdom went to all the people and they took the head of Shamu, son of Bakri, and threw it from the wall to Yuab. And Yuab sounded on the Shophar, and they removed themselves from the city, and they went, each person, to his tent, and Yuab returned to Jerusalem to the presence of King David
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. And he blew the horn, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the woman went in to all the people, and she spoke to all the city in her wisdom; and they took off the head of Sabee the son of Bochori; and took it away and threw it to Joab: and he blew the trumpet, and the people separated from the city away from him, every man to his tent: and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sheba's Rebellion
21That is not the case. But a man named Sheba son of Bichri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him alone, and I will depart from the city.” “Look,” the woman replied, “his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” 22Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem. 23Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;…

Cross References
Judges 9:53
But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.

2 Samuel 17:25
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

2 Samuel 19:13
And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 18:14-15
But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree. / And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

1 Kings 2:28-34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...

1 Kings 12:16-19
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. ...

2 Kings 9:33
“Throw her down!” yelled Jehu. So they threw her down, and her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses as they trampled her underfoot.

2 Kings 11:15-16
And Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.” / So they seized Athaliah as she reached the horses’ entrance to the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.

2 Chronicles 10:16-19
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So all the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Hadoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. ...

Proverbs 21:22
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-16
I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me: / There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it. / Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. ...

Matthew 21:42-44
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? / Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. / He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

Matthew 27:24-25
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.” / All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Mark 12:10-11
Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. / This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”


Treasury of Scripture

Then the woman went to 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 to the king.

in her wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

Ecclesiastes 9:14-18
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: …

he blew

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 2:28
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.

2 Samuel 18:16
And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

retired [heb] were scattered

2 Samuel 3:28-39
And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: …

2 Samuel 11:6-21
And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David…

Ecclesiastes 8:11
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Jump to Previous
Bichri Blew Cast City Cut Dispersed Head Jerusalem Joab Retired Sheba Tent Threw Trumpet Wisdom
Jump to Next
Bichri Blew Cast City Cut Dispersed Head Jerusalem Joab Retired Sheba Tent Threw Trumpet Wisdom
2 Samuel 20
1. By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba rebels in Israel
3. David's ten concubines are put in confinement for life
4. Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab
14. Joab pursues Sheba to Abel
16. A wise woman saves the city by Sheba's head
23. David's officers














So the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel
The phrase highlights the pivotal role of a wise woman in the narrative. In Hebrew, "wise" is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah), which denotes not just intelligence but practical wisdom and skill in living. This woman exemplifies the biblical ideal of wisdom, reminiscent of Proverbs 31, where wisdom is portrayed as a guiding force for good. Her counsel averts disaster, demonstrating how God often uses unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes.

and they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri
This action reflects the brutal realities of ancient Near Eastern justice and warfare. Sheba, a Benjamite, had rebelled against King David, and his execution was a means to restore peace. The act of beheading, while harsh, was a common practice for dealing with traitors, symbolizing the removal of rebellion and the restoration of order. It underscores the seriousness of rebellion against God's anointed king, a theme prevalent throughout the Davidic narrative.

and threw it to Joab
Joab, David's military commander, is a complex figure in the biblical text. His receipt of Sheba's head signifies the end of the rebellion. Joab's role is often controversial, as he is both a loyal servant to David and a man of violence. This act of throwing the head symbolizes the submission of the city to David's rule and the restoration of his authority.

So he blew the trumpet
The blowing of the trumpet, or "שׁוֹפָר" (shofar) in Hebrew, is a significant biblical motif. It often signals the end of conflict or the beginning of a new phase. Here, it marks the cessation of hostilities and the return to peace. The shofar is also used in religious contexts, such as the announcement of the Year of Jubilee, symbolizing freedom and restoration.

and they dispersed from the city, each to his own home
This dispersal signifies the return to normalcy after the crisis. The phrase "each to his own home" suggests a restoration of peace and order, allowing the people to resume their daily lives. It reflects the biblical theme of God bringing order out of chaos, a recurring motif from Genesis through Revelation.

And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem
Joab's return to Jerusalem, the city of David, signifies the re-establishment of David's rule and the centralization of power. Jerusalem, as the political and spiritual center of Israel, represents God's chosen place for His name to dwell. Joab's return to the king underscores the restoration of divine order and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to David.

(22) To his tent= to his home. (Comp. 2Samuel 20:1, 2Samuel 18:17; 1Kings 12:16, &c.)

Benaiah.--In the four closing verses of this chapter there is again given a short summary of the chief men of David's reign, as if to form the conclusion of this account of his life. A similar summary has already been given in 2Samuel 8:16-18, and the changes introduced here mark a later period of the reign. It is noticeable that Joab still remains commander-in-chief. On Benaiah and the force which he commanded, see Note on 2Samuel 8:18. (See also 2Samuel 23:20-23.) . . .

Verse 22. - In her wisdom; that is, with her wise counsel. The story in Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 probably refers to this narrative. They retired; Hebrew, they dispersed themselves each to his tent; that is, his home. This refers to Amasa's levies, who were glad to depart, and whom Joab did not want at Jerusalem. He took thither with him all those mentioned in ver. 7. Incensed as David must have been at the murder of Amasa following so quickly upon that of Absalom, yet that very act proved Joab's determination, and left the king powerless. He must have felt, too, that Joab was indispensable for the maintenance of peace and order in his dominions, and that he was at the least faithful to himself.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the woman
הָאִשָּׁ֨ה (hā·’iš·šāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

went
וַתָּבוֹא֩ (wat·tā·ḇō·w)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
הָעָ֜ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

with her wise counsel,
בְּחָכְמָתָ֗הּ (bə·ḥā·ḵə·mā·ṯāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

and they cut off
וַֽיִּכְרְת֞וּ (way·yiḵ·rə·ṯū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

the head
רֹ֨אשׁ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of Sheba
שֶׁ֤בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7652: Sheba -- two Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Bichri
בִּכְרִי֙ (biḵ·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1075: Bichri -- 'youthful', a Benjamite, perhaps also his desc

and threw
וַיַּשְׁלִ֣כוּ (way·yaš·li·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7993: To throw out, down, away

it to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Joab.
יוֹאָ֔ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

So he blew
וַיִּתְקַע֙ (way·yiṯ·qa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8628: To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsman

the trumpet
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר (baš·šō·w·p̄ār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7782: A cornet, curved horn

and [his men] dispersed
וַיָּפֻ֥צוּ (way·yā·p̄u·ṣū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6327: To be dispersed or scattered

from
מֵֽעַל־ (mê·‘al-)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the city,
הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

each
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

to his own home.
לְאֹהָלָ֑יו (lə·’ō·hā·lāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent

And Joab
וְיוֹאָ֛ב (wə·yō·w·’āḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

returned
שָׁ֥ב (šāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

in Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


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OT History: 2 Samuel 20:22 Then the woman went to all (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 20:21
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