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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 20:15 And Joab's troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/10_2Sa_20_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 20:15 - Sheba's Rebellion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And Joab's troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/20-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/20-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm" title="2 Samuel 20:14">◄</a> 2 Samuel 20:15 <a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm" title="2 Samuel 20:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When Joab’s forces arrived, they attacked Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the town’s fortifications and began battering down the wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And 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 <i>were</i> with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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 <i>were</i> with Joab battered the wall to throw it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah, and they built up an assault ramp against the city, and it stood against the outer rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah, and they cast up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood by the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood by the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So they came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah, and they cast up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood by the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to cause the wall to fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the army of Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth-maacah, and they built up an assault ramp against the city, and it stood against the outer rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction to make the wall fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel of Beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the outer wall of the city. While all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to make it collapse,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joab&#8217s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel of Beth-maacah. They built an assault ramp against the outer wall of the city. While all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to make it collapse, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Joab and his troops came and surrounded Abel, so that no one could go in or come out. They made a dirt ramp up to the town wall and then started to use a battering ram to knock the wall down. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah, and they cast up a mount against the city, and it stood against the rampart: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Joab's army came and attacked him in Abel (Beth Maacah). They put up a dirt ramp against the city, and it stood level with the outer wall. All the troops with Joab were trying to destroy the wall and tear it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Joab's men heard that Sheba was there, and so they went and besieged the city. They built ramps of earth against the outer wall and also began to dig under the wall to make it fall down. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All of the men who had accompanied Joab arrived and besieged Sheba in Abel of Beth-maacah. They threw up a siege ramp against the city rampart and began to batter the wall to demolish it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Joab's men came and laid siege against him in Abel of Beth Maacah. They prepared a siege ramp outside the city which stood against its outer rampart. As all of Joab's soldiers were trying to break through the wall so that it would collapse,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And all the people who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah. And they built a siege ramp against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall so that it would collapse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they go in and lay siege against him, in Abel of Beth-Maachah, and cast up a mound against the city, and it stands in a trench, and all the people who are [are] with Joab are destroying, to cause the wall to fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they go in and lay siege against him, in Abel of Beth-Maachah, and cast up a mount against the city, and it standeth in a trench, and all the people who are are with Joab are destroying, to cause the wall to fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will come and besiege against him in Abel of the house of oppression, and they will pour out a mound against the city, and it will stand in the fortification: and all the people which were with Joab laying waste to throw down the wall.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they came, and besieged him in Abela, and in Bethmaacha, and they cast up works round the city, and the city was besieged: and all the people that were with Joab, laboured to throw down the walls. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so, they went and besieged him at Abel and Bethmaacah. And they surrounded the city with siege works, and the city was blockaded. Then the entire crowd who were with Joab strove to destroy the walls.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So all Joab’s troops came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah. They built up a mound against the city, so that it stood against the rampart, and were battering the wall to knock it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Joab’s forces came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah; they threw up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood against the rampart. Joab’s forces were battering the wall to break it down.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they came and besieged him in Abel and in Beth-maachah, and they set ambushes against the city, and the city was in distress; and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they entered and they camped against him in Abel and in Bayth Maaka, and they set ambushes against the city, and it stood in distress, and all the people that were with Yuab were provoked to throw down the wall<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood in the moat; and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they came and besieged him in Abel and Phermacha: and they raised a mound against the city and it stood close to the wall; and all the people with Joab proposed to throw down the wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/20-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=6240" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Sheba's Rebellion</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel-beth-maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">And Joab’s troops came</a> <a href="/hebrew/6696.htm" title="6696: way·yā·ṣu·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To confine, bind, besiege. A primitive root; to cramp, i.e. Confine.">and besieged</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">Sheba</a> <a href="/hebrew/59.htm" title="59: bə·’ā·ḇê·lāh (N-proper-fs) -- Meadow, two places in Pal. From 'abel; a meadow; Abel, the name of two places in Palestine.">in Abel-beth-maacah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1038.htm" title="1038: bêṯ (Prep) -- House of Maakah, a place in N. Isr. From bayith and Ma'akah; house of Maakah; Beth-Maakah, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1038.htm" title="1038: ham·ma·‘ă·ḵāh (Prep:: N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- House of Maakah, a place in N. Isr. From bayith and Ma'akah; house of Maakah; Beth-Maakah, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: way·yiš·pə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">and built</a> <a href="/hebrew/5550.htm" title="5550: sō·lə·lāh (N-fs) -- A mound. Or cowllah; active participle feminine of calal, but used passively; a military mound, i.e. Rampart of besiegers.">a siege ramp</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2426.htm" title="2426: ba·ḥêl (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Rampart, fortress. Or chel; a collateral form of chayil; an army; also an intrenchment.">against the outer rampart</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">of the city.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: wat·ta·‘ă·mōḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">As all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the troops</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/3097.htm" title="3097: yō·w·’āḇ (N-proper-ms) -- The LORD is father, three Isr. From Yhovah and 'ab; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites.">Joab</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: maš·ḥî·ṯim (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">were battering</a> <a href="/hebrew/2346.htm" title="2346: ha·ḥō·w·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A wall. Feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection.">the wall</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: lə·hap·pîl (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">to topple it,</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm">2 Kings 19:32-34</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city, declares the LORD. / I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-33.htm">Isaiah 37:33-35</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,’ declares the LORD. / ‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-1.htm">2 Samuel 11:1</a></span><br />In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab and his servants with the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/15-22.htm">1 Kings 15:22</a></span><br />Then King Asa summoned all the men of Judah, with no exceptions, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials King Asa built up Geba of Benjamin, as well as Mizpah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-1.htm">2 Chronicles 32:1</a></span><br />After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-6.htm">Jeremiah 6:6</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm">Ezekiel 4:2</a></span><br />Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall, build a ramp to it, set up camps against it, and place battering rams around it on all sides.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Luke 19:43</a></span><br />For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-3.htm">Isaiah 29:3</a></span><br />I will camp in a circle around you; I will besiege you with towers and set up siege works against you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">2 Kings 25:1</a></span><br />So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-24.htm">Jeremiah 32:24</a></span><br />See how the siege ramps are mounted against the city to capture it. And by sword and famine and plague, the city has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What You have spoken has happened, as You now see!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/21-22.htm">Ezekiel 21:22</a></span><br />In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-2.htm">Matthew 24:2</a></span><br />“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-2.htm">Mark 13:2</a></span><br />“Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-6.htm">Luke 21:6</a></span><br />“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And 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.</p><p class="hdg">cast up</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm">2 Kings 19:32</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/32-24.htm">Jeremiah 32:24</a></b></br> Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/33-4.htm">Jeremiah 33:4</a></b></br> For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;</p><p class="hdg">a bank So LXX.</p><p class="hdg">battered, etc.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Abel</a> <a href="/joshua/13-27.htm">Bank</a> <a href="/matthew/14-24.htm">Battered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-1.htm">Besieged</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-4.htm">Best</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Beth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Beth-Maacah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Bethmaachah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Beth-Maachah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-7.htm">Built</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-12.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-37.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/nahum/3-8.htm">Earthwork</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-13.htm">Joab</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-13.htm">Jo'ab</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-11.htm">Joab's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Maacah</a> <a href="/daniel/9-25.htm">Moat</a> <a href="/exodus/15-8.htm">Mound</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-29.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-24.htm">Outer</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Ramp</a> <a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Rampart</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Sheba</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-16.htm">Siege</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-12.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-2.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-7.htm">Trench</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-24.htm">Wall</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/20-18.htm">Abel</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-13.htm">Bank</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-12.htm">Battered</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-17.htm">Besieged</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-18.htm">Best</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">Beth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Beth-Maacah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Bethmaachah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Beth-Maachah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-25.htm">Built</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-22.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-19.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-33.htm">Earthwork</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">Joab</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">Jo'ab</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-35.htm">Joab's</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-39.htm">Maacah</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-23.htm">Moat</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm">Mound</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-4.htm">Order</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-29.htm">Outer</a> <a href="/job/19-12.htm">Ramp</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-23.htm">Rampart</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-21.htm">Sheba</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-27.htm">Siege</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-10.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-26.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-32.htm">Trench</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">Wall</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba rebels in Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">David's ten concubines are put in confinement for life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/20-4.htm">Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Joab pursues Sheba to Abel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">A wise woman saves the city by Sheba's head</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/20-23.htm">David's officers</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/2_samuel/20.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>And Joab’s troops came</b><br />The mention of "Joab’s troops" highlights the military leadership of Joab, King David's commander. Joab was a seasoned warrior, known for his strategic acumen and loyalty to David, albeit with a ruthless streak. The Hebrew root for "troops" (חַיִל, chayil) often denotes strength and valor, emphasizing the formidable nature of Joab's forces. Historically, Joab's leadership was crucial in maintaining the stability of David's kingdom during times of internal strife.<p><b>and besieged Sheba</b><br />The act of besieging Sheba signifies a military strategy to isolate and capture a rebellious leader. Sheba, son of Bichri, had incited a revolt against King David, representing a significant threat to the unity of Israel. The Hebrew word for "besieged" (צָרַר, tsarar) conveys the idea of binding or confining, illustrating the intent to cut off Sheba's escape and resources. This reflects the seriousness with which Joab and David viewed the rebellion.<p><b>in Abel Beth-maacah</b><br />Abel Beth-maacah was a fortified city in the northern part of Israel, strategically significant due to its location. The city's name, meaning "meadow of the house of oppression," suggests a place of both fertility and potential conflict. Archaeological findings indicate that Abel Beth-maacah was a well-established settlement, which would have made it a suitable refuge for Sheba. The city's historical and geographical context underscores the importance of Joab's mission to quell the rebellion there.<p><b>They built a siege ramp</b><br />The construction of a "siege ramp" was a common ancient military tactic used to breach city walls. The Hebrew term for "ramp" (סֹלְלָה, solelah) implies a mound or embankment, crafted to enable attackers to reach the top of the walls. This demonstrates the determination and resourcefulness of Joab's forces. The use of such technology reflects the advanced military strategies employed during the time of David.<p><b>up to the city</b><br />The phrase "up to the city" indicates the strategic positioning of the siege ramp to directly confront the city's defenses. The Hebrew preposition (עַד, ad) suggests movement towards a goal, emphasizing the focused intent of Joab's troops to capture Sheba. This action symbolizes the relentless pursuit of justice and order within the kingdom, as Joab sought to restore peace under David's reign.<p><b>and it stood against the outer rampart</b><br />The "outer rampart" refers to the defensive walls protecting Abel Beth-maacah. The Hebrew word for "rampart" (חֵיל, cheyl) denotes a fortified structure, highlighting the city's preparedness for defense. Joab's siege ramp standing against this barrier signifies the imminent threat to the city's security. This imagery serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face, where perseverance and faith are required to overcome obstacles.<p><b>As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall</b><br />The collective effort of "all the troops with Joab" underscores the unity and determination of David's forces. The Hebrew verb for "battering" (נָקַשׁ, naqash) conveys a sense of striking or pounding, illustrating the intensity of the assault. This relentless attack on the wall symbolizes the spiritual warfare Christians engage in, where persistence in prayer and faith can break down the barriers of sin and rebellion.<p><b>to bring it down</b><br />The ultimate goal "to bring it down" reflects the mission to dismantle the stronghold of rebellion led by Sheba. The Hebrew phrase (לְהַפִּילָהּ, le-hapilah) implies a decisive action to overthrow or demolish. This mirrors the Christian call to tear down spiritual strongholds and establish God's kingdom on earth. Joab's determination to bring down the wall serves as an inspiration for believers to remain steadfast in their pursuit of righteousness and justice.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15)<span class= "bld">Abel of Beth-maachah.</span>--Omit the preposition "of." (See <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm" title="And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.">2Samuel 20:14</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Stood in the trench.</span>--The "trench" is the space between the wall of the city and the lower outer wall. When the besiegers had succeeded in planting the mounds for their battering engines in this space they had already gained an important advantage.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">It stood in the trench.</span> This is a literal translation, and yet gives a wrong sense. The Hebrew "stood" means "rose up to," "stood level with;" and the "trench" is what in modern fortifications is called "the glacis," and includes the outer wall of defence. The Revised Version renders, "it stood against the rampart." The usual way of capturing cities in ancient times was to cast up a bank or mound of earth against them (<a href="/isaiah/29-3.htm">Isaiah 29:3</a>; <a href="/isaiah/37-33.htm">Isaiah 37:33</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-6.htm">Jeremiah 6:6</a>); and Joab's work had advanced so far as to be level with the outer line of defence. The name of the city in the Hebrew is not <span class="cmt_word">Abel of Beth-Maachah,</span> but <span class="accented">Abel-beth-Maachah. <span class="cmt_word"></span>Battered</span>. This is a word taken from Roman warfare. The Hebrew says, "And all the people that were with Joab were destroying the wall to make it fall," most probably by undermining it. Ewald even asserts that this is the meaning of the verb, and translates, "were digging pits under the wall." The Revised Version adopts this for the margin, where it gives "undermined." The Septuagint and Chaldee have a different and probable reading, "And all Joab's people were devising (contriving) means to throw down the wall." This would be the next operation after the mound had been carried up to a level with it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/20-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And Joab’s troops came</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and besieged</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּצֻ֣רוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ṣu·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6696.htm">Strong's 6696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confine, bind, besiege</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Sheba]</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Abel-Beth-Maacah</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאָבֵ֙לָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’ā·ḇê·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_59.htm">Strong's 59: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abel -- 'meadow', two places in Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and built</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁפְּכ֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·pə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a siege ramp</span><br /><span class="heb">סֹֽלְלָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(sō·lə·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5550.htm">Strong's 5550: </a> </span><span class="str2">A military mound, rampart of besiegers</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against the outer rampart</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2426.htm">Strong's 2426: </a> </span><span class="str2">An army, an intrenchment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the city.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִ֔יר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">As all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the troops</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joab</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹאָ֔ב</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·’āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3097.htm">Strong's 3097: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were battering</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשְׁחִיתִ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(maš·ḥî·ṯim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wall</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחוֹמָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥō·w·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2346.htm">Strong's 2346: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wall of protection</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to topple it,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַפִּ֥יל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hap·pîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/20-15.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 20:15 They came and besieged him in Abel (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 20:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 20:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 20:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 20:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>