³⁷ Absalom fled and went to Talmai^(A) son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son.

³² Absalom said to Joab, “Look, I sent word to you and said, ‘Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur?^(A) It would be better for me if I were still there!”’ Now then, I want to see the king’s face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.”^(B)

²³ Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.

³⁴ Meanwhile, Absalom had fled.

Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, “I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill.”^[a]