2
Davidsent the people out, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab'sbrother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the kingsaid to the people, "I myself will surelygo out with you also."
3
But the peoplesaid, "You should not go out; for if we indeedflee, they will not care*about us; even ifhalf of us die, they will not care*about us. But you are worth tenthousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city."
4
Then the kingsaid to them, "Whateverseemsbest to you I will do." So the kingstoodbeside* the gate, and all the peoplewent out by hundreds and thousands.
5
The kingchargedJoab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the youngmanAbsalom." And all the peopleheard when the kingchargedall the commandersconcerning*Absalom.
9
Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mulewentunder the thickbranches of a greatoak. And his headcaughtfast in the oak, so he was lefthangingbetweenheaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going.
11
Then Joabsaid 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 mansaid to Joab, "Even if I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my handagainst the king'sson; for in our hearing the kingcharged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, 'Protect for me the youngmanAbsalom!'
14
Then Joabsaid, "I will not wastetimehere with you." So he tookthreespears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yetalive in the midst of the oak.
18
Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillarwhich is in the King'sValley, for he said, "I havenoson to preserve my name." So he named the pillarafter his own name, and it is calledAbsalom'sMonument to thisday.
20
But Joabsaid to him, "You are not the man to carrynewsthisday, but you shall carrynewsanotherday; however, you shall carrynonews todaybecause* the king'sson is dead."
22
Now Ahimaaz the son of Zadoksaidonce*more* to Joab, "But whateverhappens, please let me alsorunafter the Cushite." And Joabsaid, "Why* would you run, my son, since you will havenoreward for going?"
24
Now David was sittingbetween the twogates; and the watchmanwent up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a manrunning by himself.
26
Then the watchmansawanothermanrunning; and the watchmancalled to the gatekeeper and said, "Behold, another manrunning by himself." And the kingsaid, "Thisonealso is bringing good news."
27
The watchmansaid, "I think the running of the firstone is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok." And the kingsaid, "This is a goodman and comes with goodnews."
28
Ahimaazcalled and said to the king, "All is well." And he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. And he said, "Blessed is the LORD your God, who has delivered up the menwholifted their hands against my lord the king."
29
The kingsaid, "Is it well with the youngmanAbsalom?" And Ahimaazanswered, "When Joabsent the king'sservant, and your servant, I saw a greattumult, but I did not knowwhat it was."
31
Behold, the Cushitearrived, and the Cushitesaid, "Let my lord the kingreceive good news, for the LORD has freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you."
32
Then the kingsaid to the Cushite, "Is it well with the youngmanAbsalom?" And the Cushiteanswered, "Let the enemies of my lord the king, and allwhorise up against you for evil, be as that youngman!"
33
The king was deeplymoved and went up to the chamberover the gate and wept. And thus he said as he walked, "O my sonAbsalom, my son, my sonAbsalom! Would* I had diedinstead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"