2 Samuel 14:21-33 ▼

21 And the king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go and bring back the young man Absalom.”

22 And Joab fell on his face to the ground, and bowed low, and blessed the king, and Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.”

23 And Joab arose and went to Geshur, and he brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

24 And the king said, “Let him return to his own house, and do not let him see my face.” And Absalom returned to his own house, and the face of the king he did not see.

25 And there was no handsome man in all Israel who was praised as much as Absalom. From the sole of his foot and to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

26 And he cut the hair of his head, and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, because it was heavy on him; and he cut it, and he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, according to the standard of the king.

27 And were born to Absalom three sons and one daughter, and her name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.

28 And Absalom dwelt in Jerusalem two full years, and the face of the king he did not see.

29 And Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king. And he would not come to him. And he sent again the second time, and he would not come.

30 And he said to his servants, “See, the portion of Joab is near mine, and he has barley there; go and burn it with the fire.” And the servants of Absalom burned the portion with the fire.

31 And Joab arose and came to Absalom’s house, and he said to him, “Why have your servants burned the portion that is to me with the fire?”

32 And Absalom answered unto Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king to say: Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ And now let me see the face of the king. But if there is in me iniquity, let him kill me.”

33 And Joab went to the king and told him, and he called for Absalom, and he came to the king and bowed himself on his nose to the ground before the face of the king. And the king kissed Absalom.