2 Samuel 19:1-7 ▼

1 Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom,”

2 and that day’s victory was turned into mourning for the whole army when they heard, “The king is grieving for his son.”

3 The soldiers stole into the city that day like men shamed by flight in battle.

4 Meanwhile the king covered his face and cried out in a loud voice, “My son Absalom! Absalom! My son, my son!”

5 So Joab went to the king’s residence and said: “Though they saved your life and your sons’ and daughters’ lives, and the lives of your wives and your concubines, you have put all your servants to shame today

6 by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you. For you have announced today that officers and servants are nothing to you. Indeed I am now certain that if Absalom were alive today and all of us dead, that would be fine with you.

7 Now then, get up! Go out and speak kindly to your servants. I swear by the LORD that if you do not go out, not a single man will remain with you overnight, and this will be a far greater disaster for you than any that has come upon you from your youth until now.”