3. But the men said, “No! You must not go with us! If we run away in the battle, Absalom’s men won’t care. Even if half of us are killed, Absalom’s men won’t care. But you’re worth 10,000 of us! It is better for you to stay in the city. Then, if we need help, you can send it.”
4. The king said to his people, “I will do what you think is best.” So the king stood at the side of the gate as the army went out. They went out in groups of 100 and 1,000.
5. The king gave a command to Joab, Abishai and Ittai. He said, “Be gentle with young Absalom for my sake.” Everyone heard the king’s orders about Absalom to the commanders.
6. David’s army went out into the field against Absalom’s Israelites. They fought in the forest of Ephraim.
7. There David’s army defeated the Israelites. Many died that day—20,000 men.
8. The battle spread through all the country. But that day more men died in the forest than in the fighting.
9. Then Absalom happened to meet David’s troops. As Absalom was riding his mule, it went under 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. When one of the men saw it happen, he told Joab. He said, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”
11. Joab said to him, “You saw him? Why didn’t you kill him and let him fall to the ground? I would have given you a belt and four ounces of silver!”
12. The man answered, “I wouldn’t try to hurt the king’s son. I wouldn’t even if you gave me 25 pounds 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 him, the king would have found out. And you would not have protected me!”
14. Joab said, “I won’t waste time here with you!” Now Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. So Joab took three spears and stabbed him in the heart.
15. Ten young men who carried Joab’s armor also gathered around Absalom. They struck him and killed him.