Abel Beth Maachah
“Meadow (or mourning) of the house of Maachah”
Summary
A fortified city in the extreme north of Israel, known for its wisdom, where Sheba son of Bichri was killed during his rebellion against David.
☩Location and Significance
Abel Beth Maachah was a city of importance in the extreme north of Palestine, in the territory of Naphtali, mentioned together with Dan and Ijon. The city's inhabitants were renowned for their wisdom—a proverbial saying existed: 'Let them but ask counsel at Abel, and so they ended the matter.' The name suggests it may have been associated with the region of Maachah in the Syrian borderlands.
☩Sheba's Rebellion
When Sheba son of Bichri raised a rebellion against David and fled northward, he took refuge in Abel Beth Maachah. Joab pursued him and besieged the city, battering the wall to bring it down. A wise woman of the city called out to Joab, reminding him of the city's reputation for wisdom and asking why he would destroy 'a mother in Israel.' When she learned Joab only wanted Sheba, she persuaded the citizens to throw his severed head over the wall, ending the siege.
☩Later Conquests
The city suffered conquest twice in later centuries. Ben-hadad king of Syria attacked it along with other northern cities during his campaign against Israel in the reign of Baasha. Later, Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria captured Abel Beth Maachah and carried its inhabitants into exile, as part of his campaign against the northern kingdom. The city is also called Abel-maim ('meadow of waters') in Chronicles.
References
- 1.George Morrish, "Abelbethmaachah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Abel-beth-maachah," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.American Tract Society, "Abelbethmaachah," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).