1Then David numbered the people that were with him, and set over them captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds.
2And David sent forth the third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and the third part under the hand of Abishai Joab’s brother, the son of Zeruiah: and the other third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the King said unto the people, I will go with you myself also.
3But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not regard us, neither will they pass for us, though half of us were slain: but thou art now worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succor us out of the city.
4Then the king said unto them, What seemeth you best, that I will do. So the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
5And the king commanded Joab and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Entreat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. And all the people heard when the King gave all the Captains charge concerning Absalom.
6So the people went out into the field to meet Israel, and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim:
7Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David: so there was a great slaughter that day, even of twenty thousand.
8For the battle was scattered over all the country: and the wood devoured much more people that day than did the sword.
9Now Absalom met the servants of David, and Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule came under a great thick oak: and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth: and the mule that was under him went away.
10And one that saw it, told Joab, saying, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11Then Joab said unto the man that told him, And hast thou indeed seen? why then didst thou not there smite him to the ground, and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle?
12Then the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not lay mine hand upon the King’s son: for in our hearing the King charged thee, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Beware, lest any touch the young man Absalom.
13If I had done it, it had been the danger of my life: for nothing can be hid from the King: yea, thou thyself wouldest have been against me.
14Then said Joab, I will not thus tarry with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15And ten servants that bare Joab’s armor, compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a mighty great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18Now Absalom in his life time had taken and reared him up a pillar, which is in the King’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name, and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.
19Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, I pray thee, let me run and bear the King tidings that the Lord hath delivered him out of the hand of his enemies.
20And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not be the messenger today, but thou shalt bear tidings another time, but today thou shalt bear none: for the King’s son is dead.
21Then said Joab to Cushi, Go, tell the King, what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok again to Joab, What, I pray thee, if I also run after Cushi? And Joab said, Wherefore now wilt thou run my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings to bring?
23Yet what if I run? Then he said unto him, Run. So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overwent Cushi.
24Now David sat between the two gates. And the watchman went to the top of the gate upon the wall, and lift up his eyes, and saw, and behold, a man came running alone.
25And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the King said, If he be alone, he bringeth tidings. And he came apace, and drew near.
26And the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called unto the potter, and said, Behold, another man runneth alone. And the King said, He also bringeth tidings.
27And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. Then the King said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
28And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the King, Peace be with thee: and he fell down to the earth upon his face before the King, and said, Blessed be the Lord thy God, who hath shut up the men that lift up their hands against my Lord the King.
29And the King said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the King’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what.
30And the King said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here: so he turned aside and stood still.
31And behold, Cushi came, and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the King: for the Lord hath delivered thee this day out of the hand of all that rose against thee.
32Then the King said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the King, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
33And the King was moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom: would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son.