1. Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was inclined toward Absalom.
2. So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there and said to her, "Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning garments now, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has been mourning for the dead many days;
3. then go to the king and speak to him in this manner." So Joab put the words in her mouth.