18. Then King David said, “You must answer the question I will ask you.”The woman said, “My master the king, please ask your question.”
19. The king said, “Did Joab tell you to say all these things?”The woman answered, “As you live, my master the king, you are right. Your servant Joab did tell me to say these things.
20. Joab did it so you would see things differently. My master, you are wise like an angel of God. You know everything that happens on earth.”
21. The king said to Joab, “Look, I will do what I promised. Now please bring back the young man Absalom.”
22. Joab bowed facedown on the ground. He blessed the king. Then he said, “Today I know you are pleased with me. I know because you have done what I asked.”
23. Then Joab got up and went to Geshur. And he brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.
24. But King David said, “Absalom must go to his own house. He may not come to see me.” So Absalom went to his own house. He did not go to see the king.
25. Now Absalom was greatly praised for his handsome appearance. No man in Israel was as handsome as Absalom. No blemish was on him from his head to his foot.
26. At the end of every year, Absalom would cut the hair on his head. He cut it because it became too heavy. He would weigh it, and it would weigh about five pounds by the royal measure.
27. Absalom had three sons and one daughter. His daughter’s name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
28. So Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two full years without seeing King David.