10. When one of the men saw this, he reported it to Joab saying, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.
11. Joab replied to the man who was telling him this, “What! You saw this? Why didn’t you strike him down right on the spot? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a commemorative belt!”
12. The man replied to Joab, “Even if I were receiving a thousand pieces of silver, I would not strike the king’s son! In our very presence the king gave this order to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’
13. If I had acted at risk of my own life – and nothing is hidden from the king! – you would have abandoned me.”