2 Samuel 18:6-17

2 Samuel 18:6-17

[6] So the people  went out  into the field  against  Israel:  and the battle  was in the wood  of Ephraim;  [7] Where the people  of Israel  were slain  before  the servants  of David,  and there was there a great  slaughter  that day  of twenty  thousand  [8] For the battle  was there scattered  over the face  of all the country:  and the wood  devoured  more  people  that day  than the sword  devoured.  [9] And Absalom  met  the servants  of David.  And Absalom  rode  upon a mule,  went  under the thick boughs  of a great  oak,  and his head  caught hold  of the oak,  and he was taken up  between the heaven  and the earth;  and the mule  that was under him went away.  [10] And a certain  man  saw  it, and told  Joab,  and said,  Behold, I saw  Absalom  hanged  in an oak.  [11] And Joab  said  unto the man  that told  him, And, behold, thou sawest  him, and why didst thou not smite  him there to the ground?  and I would have given  thee ten  shekels of silver,  and a  girdle.  [12] And the man  said  unto Joab,  Though  I should receive  a thousand  shekels of silver  in mine hand,  yet would I not put forth  mine hand  against the king's  son:  for in our hearing  the king  charged  thee and Abishai  and Ittai,  saying,  Beware  that none touch the young man  Absalom.  [13] Otherwise  I should have wrought  falsehood  against mine own life:  for there is no matter  hid  from the king,  and thou thyself wouldest have set  thyself against me. [14] Then said  Joab,  I may not tarry  thus with thee.  And he took  three  darts  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  that bare  Joab's  armour  compassed about  and smote  Absalom,  and slew  [16] And Joab  blew  the trumpet,  and the people  returned  from pursuing  after  Israel:  for Joab  held back  the people.  [17] And they took  Absalom,  and cast  him into a great  pit  in the wood,  and laid  a very  great  heap  of stones  upon him: and all Israel  fled  every one  to his tent.