8. For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9. Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. And his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going.
10. When a certain man saw it, he told Joab and said, "Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak."
11. Then Joab said to the man who had told him, "Now behold, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? And I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt."
12. The man said to Joab, "Even if I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, 'Protect for me the young man Absalom!'
13. Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof."
14. Then Joab said, "I will not waste time here with you." So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15. And ten young men who carried Joab's armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him.
16. Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people.