Joab Scolds David

19 People told Joab, “Look, the king is crying. He is very sad because of Absalom.” ² David’s army had won the battle that day. But it became a very sad day for all the people. This was because they heard, “The king is very sad for his son.” ³ The people came into the city quietly. They were like people who had been defeated in battle and had run away. ⁴ The king covered his face and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”

⁵ Then Joab went into the king’s house. He said to the king, “Today you have shamed all your men. They saved your life today! They saved the lives of your sons, daughters, wives and slave women. ⁶ You have shamed them because you love those who hate you. And you hate those people who love you. Today you’ve made it clear that your commanders and men mean nothing to you. What if Absalom had lived and all of us were dead? I can see you would be very pleased. ⁷ Now go out and encourage your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, no man will be left with you by tonight! That will be worse than all the troubles you have had from your youth until today.”

⁸ So the king went to the city gate.^[a] The news spread that the king was at the gate. So everyone came to see him.

David Goes Back to Jerusalem

All the Israelites who had followed Absalom had run away to their homes.