Monday, July 20, 2026: A Wise Woman Builds Her House: Scripture Union Daily Guide
Are you looking for the Scripture Union Daily Guide 20th July 2026? Discover today’s devotional reading, Bible passage, and reflection to strengthen your spiritual journey. This Daily Guide provides clear, scripture-based insight and life applications to help you grow in faith, understand God’s Word, and live a Christ-centered life. Whether for personal devotion or group study, today’s message is a timely word for your walk with God.
TOPIC: A Wise Woman Builds Her House
BIBLE READING
2 Samuel 20:14-26
14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites,[a] who gathered together and followed him. 15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” 17 He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”
“I am,” he answered.
She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”
“I’m listening,” he said.
18 She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”
20 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”
The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”
22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.
23 Joab was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; 24 Adoniram[b] was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 25 Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite[c] was David’s priest.
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION
►Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
►Q8: Is there any other Biblical passage that can help me understand this passage better?
SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY GUIDE MONDAY, JULY 20, 2026 – OUTLINE
“Wisdom is the principal thing”, says the Bible in Proverbs 4:7-9. We therefore need wisdom as we conduct our everyday life. Solomon wrote in his book, “Wisdom is better than strength”, but due to the fallen nature of man, man despises wisdom and invents folly that leads to destruction (Ecclesiastes 9:15-18).
The wisdom of the woman in this passage saved the whole city of Abel of Beth -Maachah that could have been destroyed because of Sheba the son of Bichri’s rebellion against king David.
Abimelech, in Judges 9:48-49, burned down a city tower of Shechem with about one thousand men and women because he wanted to destroy one man. Had there been a wise man or woman, like in Beth-Maachah, the city could have been saved. It is unfortunate for men from certain culture to look down on women, particularly their wife’s. And so, as we relate with people in this world filled with evil, the counsel is to get wisdom and the fear of God, so you can live right to please your maker and save your soul and others.
Closing Prayer
God, make our wife’s and daughter’s creatures with wisdom to keep the Home-front safe and to avoid evil men wanting to steal their sexuality.
Bible Reading Plan
Hosea 1-7
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.(Scripture Union Daily Guide 20th July 2026)