8
The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.
9
Now Absalom happened to meet Davidâs men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalomâs hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.
10
When one of the men saw what had happened, he told Joab, âI just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.â
11
Joab said to the man who had told him this, âWhat! You saw him? Why didnât you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warriorâs belt.â
12
But the man replied, âEven if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the kingâs son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, âProtect the young man Absalom for my sake. â