The Wise Women of Abel

Day 1
The Wise Woman of Abel
Her Character : Rather than passively waiting for someone else to save her city, she had the wisdom and courage to act quickly and decisively.
Her Sorrow: That her city, though faithful to the king, was besieged by his army because it had been infiltrated by a rebellious leader.
Her Joy: That she was able to successfully intercede for the town, thus averting disaster for many innocent people.

2 Samuel 20:14 - 22
14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maachah and all the Berites. So they were gathered together and also went after Sheba.15 Then they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maachah; and they cast up a siege mound against the city, and it stood by the rampart. And all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down. 16 Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come nearby, that I may speak with you.’” 17 When he had come near to her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 So she spoke, saying, “They used to talk in former times, saying, ‘They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,’ and so they would end disputes. 19 I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?” 20 And Joab answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.” So the woman said to Joab, “Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

Dear Lord, I only dream of being called the wise woman of my town. Please work in me to be ready to recieve your gift of Wisdom. I used to think that being smart is wise, I know that it takes more than that. A heart of bravery and rightfulness. Self-control and obedience. So Father, I ask today that you work in each of us to give us these qualities in our characters to fight the battle ahead. I ask that you be glorified in our lives, actions and hearts. Praise you for what you have purposed in our lives and for giving us the desire to be the wise person of our town, home, workplace, small group, Moms club, friendship, relationship. Wherever we desire to be more like you, I pray that we make it happen by focusing on you and your great love.

Day 2

In this passage, the wise woman turned to her fellow citizens, urging them to act. In just moments, a mans head came careening over the wall. Disaster was averted. The men in this story appear to behave only in conventional terms: mobilize the army, build a siege ramp, violently smash the city walls, squelch the rebellion. But the woman looked for another solution, one that would keep the peace and spare lives on both sides. Because she acted wisely and well, interceding on behalf of her people, innocent lives on both sides of the city walls were spared.


Okay, Lord, this one was for me. I had to ask myself if I would avert disaster or behave as the men in this story. I don’t always choose to think of everyone else in time of trouble. What a great life it would be to be known as the Wise Woman of anywhere? I don’t think people typically put the word wise with the thought of me. Lord, I ask that I continue to seek your will in my life. I know that you will determine the gifts and when you will give them, but how wonderful it would be if I had wisdom. So Lord, I am guessing that there are many reading this right now that also want to be wise in their actions. Please will you show us what we need to do and help us to hold our tongues when it is not the right time.

Day 3

Read Samuel 20:15 - 22 ( see day 1)

In your own words, describe what you think it migt have been like for a mother with several small children within the city walls of Abel.While it is unlikely that you or your family have ever been in this situation, many households today are held captive by abuse, financial misfortune, grief, or illness - whether physical or mental. Do you know someone in a similar situation? A child? Another Woman? A teen? What can you do to help? Are you in one of these situations? Who can you go to for help?

What do Joab’s words reveal about his reaction to this brave woman (20:17)
Have you ever been in a situation where the wise thing to do also required bravery? Did you do it? Why or why not?

What might have given the town of Abel the reputation described here? What does this tell you about its inhabitants?
Where do you go when you need answers?
What is your reaction to what the town of Abel did with Sheba? Do you think the bargain they struck with Joab was a good one? Why or why not?

The facts of this story are physically brutal and disturbing, but the facts of life for many today in our society are just as brutal. How can you be a wise woman in your corner of the world?

Okay, so this may be far off, but I read this and think of safety and refuge. Where do you go to be safe. Sheba apparently did not make the right decision in his wanting to hide from Joab’s people. To be wise would be to know where and when to take refuge. Many times women who suffer from depression or grief do so because they have taken refuge in their hearts and soul instead of leaning on God and other women who can carry their burden. A while back, I attended a girlfriends night out and the facts were presented about how important it is that we all carry one-another’s burdens and fellowship with other women. I encourage you to look at things a bit differently today. Do you know someone that really needs to see God’s love? Can you be used today? Can the Lord actually use you to reach out to someone who has taken refuge into their heart and souls and need to be released from that very thing today? Are you needing to be released? I encourage you to let someone know if you need prayer and help, to be released from bondage.

Lord, I ask at this very moment, you give us an opportunity to be used by you. Bring to our remembrance someone who needs freedom from their pain. Let us pray for them and somehow let them SEE you through us. In your word, you show us that you have used the least of the least to do mighty things. You have given each of us a purpose. Help us not to be too busy or blinded today with the things and tasks at hand, help us to see those around us who need you today. I know this very thing is a stretch for most women, you made us Lord, so give us a challenge today to be a link to your BODY in our part of the World. Many of us are from different areas, so I pray specifically for the areas of Florida, Tennessee, Indianapolis, Jordan, Iowa, Texas, Nevada, Washington, California, Africa, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Missouri. May we affect your kingdom in a mighty way today.

Day 4

Her legacy of Prayer

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; ~Proverbs 2:3 - 6~

Reflect on 2 Samuel 20:16 - 20
Praise God for his wisdom, which far surpasses anything we might imagine.
Offer thanks that true wisdom has nothing to do with intellectual ability but everything to do with humble dependence on God.
Confess any laziness that keeps you from searching out God’s wisdom for your own life.
Ask God to help you treasure his wisdom so that you are willing to actively seek it out.

How many of you were used by God yesterday? Did you seek out opportunities to be a blessing in someone’s life? Did you hear his soft whisper of nudging to be an encouragement to someone who needed it? I hope many of you slowed down enough to be used. I had several opportunities to hear his whisper, at times I would think “no, that is not it” then remember that I did not want to miss the opportunity. Funny how I fit it all in to my usually chaotic schedule. I believe I was used most during a 10:30 pm phone call. Praise God that I was willing and able to answer that call. If you have a story of yesterdays events, please let us know, it encourages us and it also glorifies God.

Day 5

Lift your heart

Wisdom has nothing to do with how many “gray cells” you possess. You can be smart as a whip but still full of foolishness. Take a few moments to reflect on this passage from the book of Proverbs (3:13-18):
13Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],
14For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.
15Skillful and godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.
16Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.

This Mother’s Day, why don’t you ask for something far more valuable than any earthly thing, ask for wisdom in your life. Here are a few ways you can cultivate this gift from God:
Pray for it, remembering it is a gift from God, your creator.

Read and meditate regularly on Scripture
Surround yourself with wise people - listen and learn from them. (consider meeting regularly with a spiritual director or a mentor-ship program in your church)
Make quick obedience a hallmark in your spiritual life; it leads to wisdom.

Okay, so this crazy thought came to my mind just now (yes another one) and because I can, I will bounce it off you. God is the source of wisdom that brings life, wealth, honor, and peace. He is so powerful, yet seems to be able to manage all existence, it is a true revelation that he knows all that has happened and all that is to come, so why do we worry again? It is not going to help us in any way. We should spend each and every moment praising God that we were in His plan to begin with and rejoice no matter where or what or how or why, because he knows it all and if we are called to be more like Christ, then we must remember that His will is the ultimate one and we will struggle through life until we decide to fully submit ourselves to our God and His plan. Okay, so I know I should have come to this realization earlier and maybe I am not quite expressing it correctly, but take a moment to consider his vastness, every working part of the entire universe is his and he definitely cares about it working properly so that his will can be completed. Man, I have never felt so empowered to go out there and share his love and make sure people know that they might as well give in, there is no other way around it. When we realize that only one person can be in control and it can’t be us, since we know so little compared to our God, I think we might stop sweating the small stuff and start being a body of believers that affect the world for His will. Okay, so that is that. ,

God, I am in awe today of this new revelation and I pray that somehow my words will melt away and whatever it is that you are trying to use me for today will become clear to all who are reading this and that they will read your words. You can heal our body and minds, why not our writing. So thank you for your grace and your love and for creating me. I praise you for trusting me with your creations. I pray right now for a rising up of your Spirit within our souls and I pray for wisdom and time for each of us to meditate on your word. I pray for obedience in our lives so that we may complete your will and our purpose here on earth. I pray that those who are wise will overwhelm us in our lives with their presence and I pray that you will be glorified in all we do. I pray that we treat wisdom like Gold, for it is a gift from you and you are our King. Amen.