2 Samuel 19:1-7 ▼

1 Joab was told, |The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.|

2 So the victory of that day was turned to mourning as far as all the people were concerned. For the people heard on that day, |The king is grieved over his son.|

3 That day the people stole away to go to the city the way people who are embarrassed steal away in fleeing from battle.

4 The king covered his face and cried out loudly, |My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!|

5 So Joab visited the king at his home. He said, |Today you have embarrassed all your servants who have saved your life this day, as well as the lives of your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your concubines.

6 You seem to love your enemies and hate your friends! For you have as much as declared today that leaders and servants don't matter to you. I realize now that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, it would be all right with you.

7 So get up now and go out and give some encouragement to your servants. For I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out there, not a single man will stay here with you tonight! This disaster will be worse for you than any disaster that has overtaken you from your youth right to the present time!|