2 Samuel 14:19-21

International Standard Version

¹⁹ Then the king asked, “Is Joab behind all of this with you?”^[a]

“As your soul lives, your majesty, the king,” the woman answered, “no one can divert anything left or right from what your majesty the king has spoken! As a matter of fact, it was your servant Joab! He was there, giving me precise orders about everything that your humble servant was to say. Your servant Joab did this, ²⁰ intending to change the outcome of this matter. Nevertheless, your majesty is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to be aware of everything that’s going on throughout the earth.”^[b]

David Authorizes Absalom’s Return

²¹ Then the king addressed Joab, “Look! I’ll do this thing that you’ve requested.^[c] Go bring back the young man Absalom.”