8. “Go home,” David told her. “I'll take care of this matter for you.”
9. The woman said, “I hope your decision doesn't cause any problems for you. But if it does, you can blame me.”
10. He said, “If anyone gives you any trouble, bring them to me, and it won't happen again!”
11. “Please,” she replied, “swear by the Lord your God that no one will be allowed to kill my son!”He said, “I swear by the living Lord that no one will touch even a hair on his head!”
12. Then she asked, “Your Majesty, may I say something?”“Yes,” he answered.
13. The woman said:Haven't you been hurting God's people? Your own son had to leave the country. And when you judged in my favour, it was the same as admitting that you should have let him come back.
14. We each must die and disappear like water poured out on the ground. But God doesn't take our lives. Instead, he finds ways of bringing us back when we run away.
15. Your Majesty, I came here to tell you about my problem, because I was afraid of what someone might do to me. I decided to come to you, because I thought you could help.
16. In fact, I knew that you would listen and save my son and me from those who want to take the land that God gave us.
17. I can rest easy now that you have given your decision. You know the difference between right and wrong just like an angel of God, and I pray that the Lord your God will be with you.
18. Then David said to the woman, “Now I'm going to ask you a question, and don't try to hide the truth!”The woman replied, “Please go ahead, Your Majesty.”
19. David asked, “Did Joab put you up to this?”The woman answered, “Your Majesty, I swear by your life that no one can hide the truth from you. Yes, Joab did tell me what to say,
20. but only to show you the other side of this problem. You must be as wise as the angel of God to know everything that goes on in this country.”
21. David turned to Joab and said, “It seems that I have already given my decision. Go and bring Absalom back.”
22. Joab bowed very low and said, “Your Majesty, I thank you for giving your permission. It shows that you approve of me.”
23. Joab went to Geshur to get Absalom. But when they came back to Jerusalem,
24. David told Joab, “I don't want to see my son Absalom. Tell him to stay away from me.” So Absalom went to his own house without seeing his father.
25. No one in all Israel was as handsome and well-built as Absalom.