19 Someone told Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom. He’s filled with sadness because his son has died.” ² The army had won a great battle that day. But their joy turned into sadness. That’s because someone had told the troops, “The king is filled with sorrow because his son is dead.” ³ The men came quietly into the city that day. They were like fighting men who are ashamed because they’ve run away from a battle. ⁴ The king covered his face. He cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”

⁵ Then Joab went into the king’s house. He said to him, “Today you have made all your men feel ashamed. They have just saved your life. They have saved the lives of your sons and daughters. And they have saved the lives of your wives and concubines. ⁶ You love those who hate you. You hate those who love you. The commanders and their troops don’t mean anything to you. You made that very clear today. I can see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. ⁷ Now go out there and cheer up your men. If you don’t, you won’t have any of them left with you by sunset. That will be worse for you than all the troubles you have ever had in your whole life. That’s what I promise you in the Lord’s name.”

⁸ So the king got up and took his seat in the entrance of the city gate. His men were told, “The king is sitting in the entrance of the gate.” Then all of them came and stood in front of him.

While all of that was going on, the Israelites had run back to their homes.