2 Samuel 20:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The woman recalls an old proverb that disputes were settled by seeking wise counsel at Abel.
What Does 2 Samuel 20:18 Mean?
Having gained Joab's ear, the woman appeals to her city's honored reputation. There was an old saying, she reminds him, that those with a quarrel would 'ask counsel at Abel' and there find the matter resolved. Her city was known not for rebellion but for wisdom and the settling of disputes.
She is making a case for the value of what Joab is about to destroy. By invoking tradition, she reframes the siege as an assault on a place that had long served Israel's peace. Wisdom remembers what is good and worth preserving, and pleads for it; she will not let a city of counsel be swept away without speaking for its worth.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 20:18
What does 2 Samuel 20:18 mean?
The woman recalls an old proverb that disputes were settled by seeking wise counsel at Abel.