The Wisdom That Saves the City

By Danny Saavedra

“They were battering the wall to throw it down. Then a wise woman called from the city, ‘Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, “Come here, that I may speak to you.”’ 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.’ Then she said, ‘They used to say in former times, “Let them but ask counsel at Abel,” and so they settled a matter. 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?’ Joab answered, ‘Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! 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.’ Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba...Joab returned to the king.”—2 Samuel 20:15b-26 (ESV)

There’s a siege happening–not the kind you see in fantasy shows with dragons or in war movies with tanks and megaphones, but a real one...and it’s ancient and terrifying.

A mound of dirt piled high against a city wall.

Battering rams pounding.

A military commander shouting orders.

And innocent people inside the walls, wondering if today is the day everything falls apart.

But then, out of nowhere, a woman speaks up. She’s not a general, prophet, or politician. She’s just a wise woman. And because of her courage, clarity, and wisdom, an entire city is saved.

Let’s pause here.

This whole episode is chaotic. The kingdom is still limping after Absalom’s rebellion, and if you remember from our last devotional, Joab just murdered Amasa. Now, Sheba is trying to divide what’s left. And Joab is ready to take down an entire city just to catch one man. He doesn’t ask questions. He doesn’t negotiate. He goes straight to siege mode.

But the wise woman sees the cost and collateral damage. She sees the lives at risk, and she speaks up! Her wisdom isn’t flashy or even dramatic. She simply reminds Joab that Abel is a city known for wise counsel and peaceful solutions. She appeals to history, justice, and common sense. She calls Joab out and calls her city in. And her logic is spot on!

Joab sees the wisdom and says, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! 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 this wise woman obliges. The people listen to her and deliver justice. And guess what? The bloodshed stopped!

This passage may not be one you’ve heard in Sunday school, but it’s a powerful picture of how real wisdom saves lives—and how peacemaking requires both courage and clarity. It’s a clear example of speaking up “for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8 NIV). This unnamed woman was a peacemaker.

But why was she unnamed? Because her name wasn’t important. She wasn’t the One we’re supposed to see here. Instead, her role is to point us to the great Peacemaker...to Jesus. Ephesians 2:14-17 (NIV) tells us, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility...He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”

So, how exactly does this passage point us to Jesus? Think about it: a city under judgment, destruction looming, a righteous voice rising up from among the people with wisdom speaking on behalf of peace. Sound familiar?

Where Joab was ready to destroy to preserve his king’s reign, Jesus was destroyed to establish His Father’s kingdom. Where Sheba brought rebellion and division into the kingdom, Jesus brought reconciliation by becoming sin for us and taking the judgment we deserved so we could be made right with God.

And where this woman’s wisdom saved her city by offering up the head of a guilty man, Jesus’ mercy saved the world by offering up His own head—crowned with thorns.

Now, here’s the key: The wise woman identified what the real threat was and refused to let everyone else die for it. Jesus did the same—and now He calls us to do the same on His behalf!

You might not feel like the wise woman in this story. Maybe you feel more like the city under siege. Or maybe you're like Joab, charging ahead in anger, missing the bigger picture. Or maybe, if you’re honest, you’ve been the rebel in your own story. But the gospel is this: Jesus doesn’t just send a wise woman to negotiate peace; He comes Himself. He doesn’t ask us to throw someone else over the wall; He gives Himself on the cross. He ends the siege by taking the blow.

And in Him, peace finally holds.

Pause: Are you in siege mode? Is your heart under pressure, your soul under fire, your relationships fractured? Are you Joab, ready to knock down walls to get what you want? Or are you inside the walls, fearing what’s to come?

Practice: Invite Jesus to speak wisdom over your situation. Ask Him to help you see clearly who the real enemy is, what needs to be surrendered, and how to walk in peace. Read James 3:17 and reflect on what godly wisdom looks like.

Pray: Jesus, thank You for being the wisdom of God and the Prince of Peace. Thank You for offering Yourself so the siege on my soul would end. Speak into the chaos of my life. Replace my fear with faith. Make me like the wise woman...bold, humble, and ready to be used by You. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.