Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Siege: Abel" refers to the biblical account of the siege of the city of Abel Beth Maacah, as recorded in the Old Testament. This event is primarily detailed in
2 Samuel 20, during the reign of King David. Abel Beth Maacah was a significant city in the northern part of Israel, known for its wisdom and counsel.
Historical ContextThe siege of Abel Beth Maacah occurred during a period of political unrest in Israel. After the rebellion of Absalom, David's son, another insurrection arose, led by a man named Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. Sheba's rebellion is described as a significant threat to the unity of Israel, as he called for the tribes to separate from David's rule, declaring, "We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!" (
2 Samuel 20:1).
The SiegeIn response to Sheba's rebellion, King David dispatched his military commander Joab, along with the king's elite troops, to pursue Sheba. Sheba sought refuge in the fortified city of Abel Beth Maacah. Joab's forces laid siege to the city, constructing a siege ramp against the outer wall to breach it.
During the siege, a wise woman from the city intervened, seeking to prevent the destruction of Abel Beth Maacah. She called out to Joab, requesting a parley. The woman reminded Joab of the city's reputation for wisdom and counsel, saying, "They used to say in the past, 'Seek counsel at Abel,' and that is how disputes were settled" (
2 Samuel 20:18). She argued that the city was a "mother in Israel" and questioned why Joab would seek to destroy it.
ResolutionThe wise woman's intervention led to a peaceful resolution. She negotiated with Joab, who expressed that his intent was not to destroy the city but to capture Sheba. The woman assured Joab that the city would deliver Sheba to him. Consequently, the inhabitants of Abel Beth Maacah beheaded Sheba and threw his head over the wall to Joab. With Sheba's death, the rebellion was quashed, and Joab withdrew his forces, sparing the city from destruction.
SignificanceThe siege of Abel Beth Maacah highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative. It underscores the importance of wisdom and diplomacy in resolving conflicts, as demonstrated by the wise woman's successful negotiation with Joab. The event also illustrates the challenges of maintaining unity and order in the kingdom of Israel during David's reign. Furthermore, it reflects the broader biblical theme of divine providence, as God uses unexpected means and individuals to achieve His purposes and maintain the stability of His chosen people.
References in Scripture·
2 Samuel 20:1-22 : The primary account of the siege and the wise woman's intervention.
·
2 Samuel 20:18 : The city's reputation for wisdom and counsel.
The account of the siege of Abel Beth Maacah serves as a testament to the power of wisdom and the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions in times of conflict, aligning with the broader biblical principles of justice and righteousness.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Samuel 20:15And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Questions.
... 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why wasAbel's offering the more acceptable?...
39. What were the sufferings of Jeremiah in thesiege of Jerusalem?...
Treatise ix. On the Advantage of Patience.
... ThusAbel, who first initiated and consecrated the origin of martyrdom, and the
passion of the... are especially so for us who are more shaken by thesiege of the...
The Letter of the Church of Rome
... And it happened that while they were in the field Cain attacked his brotherAbel
and killed him... 4The blessed Judith, when her city was undersiege, begged of...
General Index.
... Bunyan, John, 252. Cain, hatred of, forAbel, 46. life of, why spared, 543....
Disciples, humble men, 171. insiege of Jerusalem, 328....
"Lazarus, Come Forth"
... He knew that many now weeping for Lazarus would die in thesiege of the city... that
in the history of the world, beginning with the death ofAbel, the conflict...
The First vision "On Earth"
... When God describes, through Ezekiel, the famine during thesiege of Jerusalem, He
says, "Thy... And they cried with a loud voice (asAbel's blood was said to cry...
Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire...
... campaign against the Medes"Invasion of Urartu and end of its supremacy"Alliance
of Pekah and Rezin against Ahaz: the war in Judaea andsiege of Jerusalem....
Paul's Departure and Crown;
... The blood ofAbel cried until it brought down wrath upon Cain; and so did the blood
of Christ and his apostles, till it had laid Jerusalem upon heaps....
An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of...
... darkness. By these words, it seems that darkness and light began the quarrel,
before that bloody bout of Cain andAbel (Galatians 5:17)....
The Barren Fig-Tree;
... 'Abel offered the more excellent sacrifice' (Hebrews 11:4). Enoch walked with God
three hundred years (Hebrews 11:5). Noah, by his life of faith, 'condemned...
Resources
Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Zedekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSiege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
