1. People told Joab, “Look, the king is crying. He is very sad because of Absalom.”
2. David’s army had won the battle that day. But it became a very sad day for all the people. This was because they heard, “The king is very sad for his son.”
3. The people came into the city quietly. They were like people who had been defeated in battle and had run away.
4. The king covered his face and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”
5. Then Joab went into the king’s house. He said to the king, “Today you have shamed all your men. They saved your life today! They saved the lives of your sons, daughters, wives and slave women.
6. You have shamed them because you love those who hate you. And you hate those people who love you. Today you’ve made it clear that your commanders and men mean nothing to you. What if Absalom had lived and all of us were dead? I can see you would be very pleased.
7. Now go out and encourage your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, no man will be left with you by tonight! That will be worse than all the troubles you have had from your youth until today.”
8. So the king went to the city gate. The news spread that the king was at the gate. So everyone came to see him.All the Israelites who had followed Absalom had run away to their homes.
9. People in all the tribes of Israel began to argue. They said, “The king saved us from the Philistines and our other enemies. But he left the country because of Absalom.
10. We appointed Absalom to rule us, but now he has died in battle. We should make David the king again.”
11. King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. David said, “Speak to the elders of Judah. Say, ‘Even in my house I have heard what all the Israelites are saying. So why are you the last tribe to bring the king back to his palace?
12. You are my brothers, my own family. Then why are you the last tribe to bring back the king?’
13. And say to Amasa, ‘You are part of my own family. May God punish me terribly if I don’t make you commander of the army in Joab’s place!’”