18. “I must know one thing,” the king replied, “and tell me the truth.”“Yes, my lord the king,” she responded.
19. “Did Joab put you up to this?”And the woman replied, “My lord the king, how can I deny it? Nobody can hide anything from you. Yes, Joab sent me and told me what to say.
20. He did it to place the matter before you in a different light. But you are as wise as an angel of God, and you understand everything that happens among us!”
21. So the king sent for Joab and told him, “All right, go and bring back the young man Absalom.”
22. Joab bowed with his face to the ground in deep respect and said, “At last I know that I have gained your approval, my lord the king, for you have granted me this request!”
23. Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.
24. But the king gave this order: “Absalom may go to his own house, but he must never come into my presence.” So Absalom did not see the king.
25. Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot.
26. He cut his hair only once a year, and then only because it was so heavy. When he weighed it out, it came to five pounds!
27. He had three sons and one daughter. His daughter’s name was Tamar, and she was very beautiful.
28. Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years, but he never got to see the king.
29. Then Absalom sent for Joab to ask him to intercede for him, but Joab refused to come. Absalom sent for him a second time, but again Joab refused to come.
30. So Absalom said to his servants, “Go and set fire to Joab’s barley field, the field next to mine.” So they set his field on fire, as Absalom had commanded.