שמואל ב, פרק כ׳, פסוק כ״ב

The climax of a devastating siege ends with the dramatic intervention of a single woman, whose political and legal brilliance saves an entire city from ruin and puts an end to a rebellion. She faces the daunting task of convincing her people to surrender the rebel hiding among them. Practically, she argues that it makes no sense to fight and risk the city's total destruction for the sake of a stranger [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This requires exceptional tact, as the city belongs to the tribe of Benjamin, the very same tribe as the rebel. To overcome their tribal loyalty, she warns the townspeople that if the opposing commander conquers the city by force, he will consider all of them active participants in the uprising and execute everyone [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].

Beyond the immediate need for survival, commentators explore the moral and legal justification for sacrificing one life to save many. One perspective frames her argument around the harsh reality of a hopeless situation. The city walls are already crumbling, leaving no chance of escape. Because both the rebel and the townspeople are doomed to die if the siege continues, it is better for the wanted man to die alone rather than taking everyone down with him. Another viewpoint focuses on the rebel's legal standing. By actively rebelling against the royal house of David, he is already legally guilty of a capital offense. Therefore, handing him over is entirely justified under the law [רש״י, רד״ק].

Instead of turning the rebel over alive, the townspeople execute him themselves. They choose this method out of fear; if captured alive, the rebel might expose to the royal army that the townspeople had secretly supported his plot from the very beginning [מצודת דוד]. Once his severed head is thrown over the wall, a horn is blown. This serves as the recognized military signal to cease hostilities, withdraw from the city, and restore order [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Hearing the blast, the soldiers scatter and return to their homes [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ], while the commanding general journeys back to Jerusalem to report to the king.