17. And he cometh near unto her, and the woman saith, `Art thou Joab?' and he saith, `I [am].' And she saith to him, `Hear the words of thy handmaid;' and he saith, `I am hearing.'
18. and she speaketh, saying, `They spake often in former times, saying, Let them diligently ask at Abel, and so they finished.
19. I [am] of the peaceable--faithful ones of Israel; thou art seeking to destroy a city, and a mother in Israel; why dost thou swallow up the inheritance of Jehovah?
20. And Joab answereth and saith, `Far be it--far be it from me; I do not swallow up nor destroy.