A Wise Mama Bear

¹⁶ Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’” ¹⁷ And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” ¹⁸ Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. ¹⁹ I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” ²⁰ Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! ²¹ 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.” ²² 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. ~ 2 Samuel 20:16-22

I want you to notice how the Scripture describes the city. “You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel.” This city wasn’t just any city; it was considered a mother in Israel. That changed all the rules of the game. The people of Israel looked to this mother city for wisdom, advice, and leadership. This is where they went to inquire. As soon as danger raised its vicious head, this mother in this mother city sprang into action. The Mama Bear was released.

The woman in the story is not named; she is merely called a wise woman. One of the attributes of a wise woman is to avert danger, especially critical danger, as what was about to happen to Abel.

What had happened was Sheba, the son of Bichri, saw his opportunity to seize power while the kingdom was right at the end of the civil war led by King David’s now-dead son, Absalom. Sheba blew the trumpet in an attempt to try to rally the previous rebellious troops against King David and make himself ruler. But King David nipped that in the bud right away by sending Joab, the general of his army, to take care of business.

Sheba took refuge in a city named Abel of Beth-maacah. The city was a walled city with locked gates. So, Joab prepared to tear down the wall to get Sheba. But a wise woman, a mother in Israel, stood up to the mighty Joab, and with great wisdom, she averted the great and pending danger.

Mothers, that is your job as a mama bear to avert danger from your family. I would probably be a lot better off financially if I had heeded my wife’s subtle warnings. Husbands, even though you are the head of the wife, please understand that she isn’t there to just serve you and your needs. She is also used by God, filled with wisdom, understanding, and instinct in order to serve the Kingdom of God and her family. When you have a wise wife or mother, listen to their wise judgments. Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be A Wise Mama Bear.

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