1. Now Joab, Zeruiah’s son, could see that the king’s mind was on Absalom.
2. So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there. He said to her, "Pretend to be in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes. Don’t anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has spent a long time mourning over someone who has died.
3. Go to the king and speak to him as follows." Then Joab told her what to say.
4. When the woman from Tekoa came to the king, she fell facedown, bowing low out of respect. "King, help me!" she said.
5. "What is wrong?" the king asked her."It’s terrible!" she said. "I am a widow; my husband is dead.
6. Your servant had two sons, but the two of them fought in the field. No one could separate them, and one struck the other and killed him.
7. Now the entire clan has turned against your servant. They say, ‘Hand over the one who killed his brother so we can execute him for murdering his brother, even though we would destroy the heir as well.’ So they would snuff out the one ember I have left, leaving my husband without name or descendant on the earth."
8. The king said to the woman, "Return home, and I will issue an order in your behalf."
9. The woman of Tekoa said to the king, "My master and king, let the guilt be on me and on my father’s household. The king and his throne are innocent."
10. "If anyone speaks against you, bring him to me, and he will never trouble you again," the king replied.