2 Samuel 18:9-15 ▼

9 And Abessalom went to meet the servants of David: and Abessalom was mounted on his mule, and the mule came under the thick boughs of a great oak; and his head was entangled in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth; and the mule passed on from under him.

10 And a man saw it, and reported to Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Abessalom hanging in an oak.

11 And Joab said to the man who reported it to him, And, behold, thou didst see him: why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten pieces of silver, and a girdle.

12 And the man said to Joab, Were I even to receive a thousand shekels of silver, I would not lift my hand against the king's son; for in our ears the king charged thee and Abessa and Ethi, saying, Take care of the young man Abessalom for me,

13 so as to do no harm to his life: and nothing of the matter will be concealed from the king, and thou wilt set thyself against me.

14 And Joab said, I will begin this; I will not thus remain with thee. And Joab took three darts in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Abessalom, while he was yet alive in the heart of the oak.

15 And ten young men that bore Joab's armour compassed Abessalom, and smote him and slew him.