5
The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Be gentle with young Absalom for my sake." Everyone heard the king's orders to the commanders about Absalom.
6
David's army went out into the field against Absalom's Israelites, and they fought in the forest of Ephraim.
7
There David's army defeated the Israelites. Many died that day -- twenty thousand men.
8
The battle spread through all the country, but that day more men died in the forest than in the fighting.
9
Then Absalom happened to meet David's troops. As Absalom was riding his mule, it went under the thick branches of a large oak tree. Absalom's head got caught in the tree, and his mule ran out from under him. So Absalom was left hanging above the ground.
10
When one of the men saw it happen, he told Joab, "I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!"
11
Joab said to him, "You saw him? Why didn't you kill him and let him fall to the ground? I would have given you a belt and four ounces of silver!"
12
The man answered, "I wouldn't touch the king's son even if you gave me twenty-five pounds of silver. We heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, 'Be careful not to hurt young Absalom.'
13
If I had killed him, the king would have found out, and you would not have protected me!"
14
Joab said, "I won't waste time here with you!" Absalom was still alive in the oak tree, so Joab took three spears and stabbed him in the heart.
15
Ten young men who carried Joab's armor also gathered around Absalom and struck him and killed him.