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And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

For the battle was spread there over the face of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

And the man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand [pieces of] silver in my hand, yet I would not put forth my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Watch out for whoever is against the young man Absalom.

And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held back the people.

Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar, which is in the king's dale; for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name; and it is called Absalom's monument, to this day.

Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said yet again to Joab, But come what may, let me, I pray you, also run after the Cushite. And Joab said, Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the tidings?

And, look, the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, Tidings for my lord the king; for Yahweh has avenged you this day of all those that rose up against you.

And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, he said thus, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! O that I had died for you, O Absalom, my son, my son!

And it was told Joab, Look, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.

And the victory that day was turned into mourning to all the people; for the people heard it said that day, The king grieves for his son.

in that you love those that hate you, and hate those that love you. For you have declared this day, that princes and slaves are nothing to you: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all of us had died this day, then it would have pleased you well.

Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably to your slaves; for I swear by Yahweh, if you don't go forth, there will not tarry a man with you this night: and that will be worse to you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.

For your slave knows that I have sinned: therefore, look, I have come this day the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?

And David said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be adversaries to me? shall there be any man put to death this day in Israel? for don't I know that I am this day king over Israel?

And he answered, My lord, O king, my slave deceived me: for your slave said, I will saddle myself a donkey, that I may ride thereon, and go with the king; because your slave is lame.

For all my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your slave among those that ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should cry anymore to the king?

Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even 80 years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you: and whatever you shall require of me, that I will do for you.

And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: why then are you angry for this matter? have we eaten at all at the king's cost? or has he given us any gift?