8. The battle spread throughout the country, but more men died in the forest than by the sword.
9. It so happened that David’s officers found Absalom. Absalom jumped on his mule and tried to escape, but the mule went under the branches of a large oak tree. The branches were thick, and Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. His mule ran out from under him, so Absalom was left hanging above the ground.
10. Someone saw this happen and told Joab, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”
11. Joab said to the man, “Why didn’t you kill him and let him fall to the ground? I would have given you a belt and ten pieces of silver!”
12. The man said to Joab, “I would not try to hurt the king’s son even if you gave me 1000 pieces of silver. We heard the king’s command to you, Abishai, and Ittai. The king said, ‘Be careful not to hurt young Absalom.’
13. If I had killed Absalom, the king himself would find out, and you would punish me.”
14. Joab said, “I will not waste my time here with you!” Absalom was still alive and hanging in the oak tree. Joab took three sticks in his hand and hit him in the heart.
15. Ten of Joab’s young helpers gathered around Absalom and killed him.