We will all die someday. We’re like water spilled on the ground; no one can gather it back. But God doesn’t take away life. Instead, he plans ways that those who have been sent away will not have to stay away from him! My master and king, I came to say this to you because the people have made me afraid! I thought, ‘Let me talk to the king. Maybe he will do what I ask. Maybe he will listen. Perhaps he will save me from those who want to keep both me and my son from getting what God gave us.’
“Now I say, ‘May the words of my master the king give me rest. Like an angel of God, you know what is good and what is bad. May the LORD your God be with you!’ ”
Then King David said, “Do not hide the truth. Answer me one question.”
The woman said, “My master the king, please ask your question.”
The king said, “Did Joab tell you to say all these things?”
The woman answered, “As you live, my master the king, no one could avoid that question. You are right. Your servant Joab did tell me to say these things. Joab did it so you would see things differently. My master, you are wise like an angel of God who knows everything that happens on earth.”
The king said to Joab, “Look, I will do what I promised. Bring back the young man Absalom.”
Joab bowed facedown on the ground and blessed the king. Then he said, “Today I know you are pleased with me, because you have done what I asked.”
Then Joab got up and went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. But King David said, “Absalom must go to his own house. He may not come to see me.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not go to see the king.
Absalom was greatly praised for his handsome appearance. No man in Israel was as handsome as he. No blemish was on him from his head to his foot. At the end of every year, Absalom would cut his hair, because it became too heavy. When he weighed it, it would weigh about five pounds by the royal measure.
Absalom had three sons and one daughter. His daughter’s name was also Tamar, and she was a beautiful woman.
Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two full years without seeing King David. Then Absalom sent for Joab so he could send him to the king, but Joab would not come. Absalom sent a message a second time, but Joab still refused to come. Then Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley growing there. Go burn it.” So Absalom’s servants set fire to Joab’s field.
Then Joab went to Absalom’s house and said to him, “Why did your servants burn my field?”
Absalom said to Joab, “I sent a message to you, asking you to come here. I wanted to send you to the king to ask him why he brought me home from Geshur. It would have been better for me to stay there! Now let me see the king. If I have sinned, he can put me to death!”
So Joab went to the king and told him Absalom’s words. Then the king called for Absalom. Absalom came and bowed facedown on the ground before the king, and the king kissed him.
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