So Joab sent someone to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, ‘Pretend to be in mourning: dress in mourning clothes and don’t put on any oil. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.
The words of Amos, who was one of the sheep breeders , from Tekoa #– #what he saw regarding Israel in the days of King Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
‘ “ ‘As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and does not place its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation I will punish by sword, famine, and plague #– #this is the Lord’s declaration #– #until through him I have destroyed it.
‘Curse Meroz,’ says the angel of the Lord, ‘Bitterly curse her inhabitants, for they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord with the warriors.’
Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Beside them Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs.
‘Run for cover out of Jerusalem, Benjaminites. Sound the ram’s horn in Tekoa; raise a smoke signal over Beth-haccherem, for disaster threatens from the north, even a crushing blow.