1. Joab was told, “The king is crying and mourning for Absalom.”
2. The victory of that day was turned into mourning because all the troops heard that the king was grieving for his son.
3. That day the troops sneaked into the city as if they had fled from battle and were ashamed of it.
4. The king covered his face and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”
5. Then Joab came into the house. “Today you have made all your men feel ashamed,” he said. “They saved your life and the lives of your sons, daughters, wives, and concubines today.
6. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. Today, you have made it clear that your commanders and servants mean nothing to you. I think you would be pleased if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead.
7. Now, get up, go out, and encourage your men. I swear to you by the Lord that if you don’t go out, no one will stay with you tonight, and that will be worse than all the trouble you’ve had in your entire life.”
8. The king sat in the gateway. When all the troops were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they came to the king.Meanwhile, Israel had fled and went back to their own homes.
9. All the people in all the tribes of Israel were arguing with one another, saying, “The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, but now he has fled from Absalom and left the country.
10. However, Absalom, whom we anointed to rule us, has died in battle. Why is no one talking about bringing back the king?”