A time for war and a time for peace.David's wise son Solomon observed that there is a time for everything, including war and peace. Sheba had declared himself no longer loyal to David and persuaded the northern tribes to return to their homes instead of accompanying David to Jerusalem. Was this a time for war, or a time for peace?
-- Ecclesiastes 3:8
WAR. David clearly thought it was a time for military action lest Sheba gather support and begin another armed rebellion. Joab had regained control of David's army and was leading it in pursuit of Sheba. Sheba passed through Israel trying to gain support but apparently found none except among the Berites, who followed him. Pursued by Joab, Sheba and the Berites took refuge in Abel Beth Maacah in the far north. Joab put the city under siege, building a siege ramp and battering the walls. Given time, he undoubtedly would have succeeded in destroying much of the city and capturing Sheba.
PEACE. A wise woman of the city discerned that this was not a time for war, but a time for peace. She saw that although the men of the northern tribes had gone home when Sheba sounded the trumpet, they were not in a state of rebellion against the king. Few had followed Sheba. It was senseless to defy the king's army when the city had no argument against the king. The city was a "mother," a leading city in Israel where people sought counsel. Its leaders were wise, peace loving, faithful and loyal. Now was not the time to ruin its reputation with senseless defiance of the king's army which would lead to senseless destruction of a part of the Lord's inheritance. Accordingly, she called for Joab, and sought terms of peace. Learning what Joab wanted, the city leaders wisely executed the rebel Sheba, and Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.
Wise words proved more powerful than a ruthless army and saved a city from destruction.
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