² So Joab sent messengers to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He said to her, “Pretend ·to be very sad [^Lyou are in mourning]. Put on ·funeral [mourning] clothes and don’t put ·lotion [perfume; anointing oil] on yourself. Act like a woman who has been ·crying [mourning] many days for someone who died. ³ Then go to the king and say these words.” Then Joab ·told her what to say [^Lput the words in her mouth].

⁴ ·So [When…] the woman from Tekoa spoke to the king. She bowed facedown on the ground ·to show respect [^Land prostrated herself] and said, “My king, help me!”