Reading for May 31st

 Read 2 Samuel 20.14-26. In verse 14: Abel is at the northern extreme of Israel. In verse 15: Ancient Israelite cities were surrounded by thick walls that had to be broken through with battering rams. In verse 16: This wise woman is both intelligent and eloquent. She may have been a city official. In verses 18-19: The woman says that Abel is one of Israel's original cities and should no be destroyed. In verse 21: The woman does not know about Sheba, indicating that his revolt did not reach to all Israel but included only part of Benjamin and the hill country of Ephraim. In verses 23-26: This cabinet list is very similar to the one in 8.16-18. It probably came to this location by attachment to 21.1-14. The forced labor was conscripted from the northern tribes by David and Solomon. Its leader, Adoram or Adoniram, was later stoned when the Israelites rebelled against the Davidic dynasty (1 Kings 12.18). Comments or Questions..