2 Samuel 14:18-33 ▼

18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, Do not hide from me anything that I ask you. And the woman said to him, Let my lord the king now speak.

19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this? And the woman answered and said to him, As your soul lives, my lord the king, I have not turned to the right hand or to the left from all that my lord the king has spoken; for it was your servant Joab who bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid,

20 Because he wanted to do it through me, that is why your servant Joab has done this thing; and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are on the earth.

21 And the king said to Joab, Behold now, I have done as you have said; go therefore, bring me the young man Absalom again.

22 And Joab fell on his face to the ground and did obeisance and blessed the king: and Joab said, Today your servant knows that I have found grace in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.

23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

24 And the king said, Let him go to his own house, but let him not be seen in my presence. So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the king's face.

25 Now in all Israel there was no man so much praised for his beauty as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

26 And when he had his hair shorn (he used to cut it once a year because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), the hair of his head weighed two hundred shekels by the king's weight.

27 And there were born to Absalom three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar; she was a beautiful woman.

28 So Absalom dwelt two years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.

29 Therefore Absalom summoned Joab to send him to the king; but he would not come to him; and he sent a second time, but he would not come.

30 Then Absalom said to his servants, See, there is a field belonging to Joab near mine; whether it be of wheat or barley, go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set Joab's field on fire.

31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom's house and said to Absalom, Why have your servants set my field on fire?

32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to you, saying, Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask why I have come from Geshur. It was better for me while I was there; now I want to appear before the king and if there is any iniquity in me, let him kill me.

33 So Joab came to the king and told him the words of Absalom; and he called for Absalom, and Absalom came in before the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king; and the king kissed Absalom.