7. The army of Israel was defeated there before the servants of David, and the defeat there was great on that day: twenty thousand.
8. The battle there was spreading over the surface of all the land, and the forest devoured more among the army than the sword did on that day.
9. Absalom was found in the presence of the servants of David as he was riding on the mule. The mule went under the thicket of the great oak tree, and his head was caught in the tree. He was left hanging between heaven and earth, and the mule which was under him went on.
10. When a certain man saw it, he told Joab, and he said, “Look, I saw Absalom hanging in the oak tree!”
11. Then Joab said to the man who was telling him, “Look, if you saw, why did you not strike him down to the ground there? I would have gladly given you ten pieces of silver and a leather belt.”
12. The man said to Joab, “Even if I felt the weight of a thousand pieces of silver in my palms, I would not have sent my hand against the son of the king, for in our ears the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Whoever you may be, protect the young man Absalom.’
13. If I had dealt treacherously against his life, and there is not any matter hidden from the king, you would have presented yourself aloof.”
14. Joab said, “No longer will I wait in your presence.” Then he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.
15. Then ten of the young men who bore the weapons of Joab surrounded him and struck and killed Absalom.
16. Then Joab blew on the trumpet and the troops returned from pursuing after Israel, for Joab kept back the troops.