Monday Memo 1279: There's a Better Way
The Wise Woman of Abel Beth Maakah — 2 Samuel 20:14–22
This week in our continuing Power of Purple series on women of purpose in Scripture, we meet a woman whose name we don't know, but whose wisdom and courage saved an entire city. She had no official title or position that we know of, yet she saw something others were overlooking (or were afraid to confront) and took the initiative to make sure they heard what she had to say.
A man named Sheba had rebelled against King David and taken refuge in the city of Abel Beth Maakah. Joab, David's military commander, pursued him there and began attacking the city walls. The entire city was in danger because of one man, but an unnamed woman recognized that there might be a better way to resolve the situation.
SHE SPOKE UP
We're told,
Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him” (2 Samuel 20:16).
I love her initiative. Nobody invited her to negotiate, and there's no indication that anyone had asked for her advice. She recognized that something was wrong, believed she had something to contribute, and called for the attention of the man directing the attack.
Think of the courage that required. Joab was a seasoned military commander whose army was preparing to destroy her city. Yet she didn't allow his authority or military strength to intimidate her into silence. She had a perspective he needed to hear, and she was determined to make sure he heard it.
Her actions remind me of Abigail, whom we studied in the first volume of The Power of Purple. Abigail also recognized that a powerful man's actions were about to bring unnecessary destruction, and she took the initiative to intervene. Neither woman waited to be appointed to a leadership position before exercising leadership. You don't need a title to fulfill your purpose, and you don't need an official position to make a difference.
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
The woman reminded Joab that Abel Beth Maakah was known as a place where people sought wise counsel. Then she asked him an important question:
“Why do you want to swallow up the Lord's inheritance?” (2 Samuel 20:19).
Joab explained that he wasn't interested in destroying the city. He wanted Sheba, the man who had rebelled against David. Once the woman understood the real issue, she proposed a solution. The people would deal with Sheba, and Joab could withdraw his army. That's exactly what happened, although the outcome for Sheba was violent.
Notice what this woman accomplished. She didn't have more soldiers, stronger walls, or greater political authority. She had something just as important for that moment: a perspective that no one else had brought to the discussion. And she wasn’t afraid to speak up and act. She recognized that destroying an entire city wasn't necessary to accomplish Joab's objective. In essence, she became the leader in that city based on her courage and wisdom.
THERE’S A BETTER WAY
Some people have a special ability to see possibilities and solutions that others overlook. They can enter a confusing situation, identify what's really going on, and suggest a better way forward. Their creativity isn't necessarily expressed through writing, music, or art. It may be expressed through ideas, problem-solving, negotiation, or bringing people together.
Perhaps people regularly come to you when they're facing a difficult decision or a problem they can't seem to solve. You listen, ask a few questions, and see something they haven't considered. What seems obvious to you may be a revelation to them, and that repeated pattern may be pointing toward your purpose.
But having a different perspective isn't enough. You must also have the courage to express it. This woman didn't wait for Joab to ask whether anyone had a better idea. And she didn’t know how Joab would receive her overture. She took the initiative because she recognized that her silence could allow something terrible to happen.
DON'T WAIT TO BE ASKED
One mistake people make concerning purpose is waiting for someone to give them permission to use what God has given them. They assume that if their perspective is valuable, someone will eventually recognize it and invite them to contribute. But sometimes the very people who need what you have don't know enough to ask for it.
That doesn't mean you should offer unsolicited advice about everything or assume your ideas are always right. Wisdom also involves knowing when and how to speak. This woman asked questions, listened to Joab's response, and proposed a solution that addressed the real problem.
There may be situations in your life where you consistently see possibilities others miss. Don't dismiss that ability simply because it comes naturally to you, and don't assume everyone else sees what you see. The wise woman of Abel Beth Maakah saved her city because she combined wisdom with courage and initiative. Your purpose may require you to see what others don't see, find a better way, and have the courage to bring it to everyone's attention—even when you have no title, position, or invitation to speak.
Purpose Principle: Your purpose may involve seeing solutions and possibilities that others overlook. Develop the wisdom to recognize a better way, the courage and confidence to speak up, and the initiative to act even when no one has invited you to contribute.