1. And it was told to Joab that the king was weeping and he mourned over Absalom,
2. so the victory turned to mourning on that day for all the army, because they had heard that day, “The king is grieving over his son.”
3. The army came secretly into the city on that day because the army was disgraced when they fled in the battle,
4. and because the king had covered his face and cried with a loud voice, “My son, Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son.”
5. Then Joab came to the king’s house and said, “Today you have humiliated the faces of all of your servants who have saved your life this day, and the life of your sons and your daughters, the life of your wives, and the life of your concubines,
6. by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you. Indeed, you have made clear this day that you have no regard for your commanders or officers, for I have realized today that were Absalom alive, and all of us were dead, then that would have been right in your eyes!
7. So then, get up and go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by Yahweh, if you do not go out, no man will lodge this night with you, and this disaster will be greater for you than any disaster that has come upon you from your childhood until now!”
8. So the king got up and he sat in the gate, and they told all the army, “Look, the king is sitting in the gate.” Then all the army came before the king; whereas all of Israel had fled, each to his tent.
9. Then it happened that all the people were disputing among all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies, and he saved us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.
10. Now Absalom whom we anointed as king over us has died in the battle; so then, why are you taking no action to restore the king?”
11. Then King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah: ‘Why are you last to bring back the king to his house? The talk of all Israel has come to the king in his house.
12. My brothers, you are my bones and you are my flesh. Why should you be the last to bring back the king?’
13. To Amasa you shall say: ‘Are you not my bones and my flesh? May God punish me if you are not the commander of my army before me forever, in place of Joab.’ ”
14. So he turned the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, and they sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your servants.”
15. Then the king returned and he came to the Jordan; Judah had come to Gilgal to come to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.