(19:1) The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!”

The king covered his face and cried out loudly, “My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”

Foreigners lose their courage; they shake with fear as they leave their strongholds.

Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan

Foreigners are powerless before me; when they hear of my exploits, they submit to me.

Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani the Gadite,

(He gave instructions that the people of Judah should be taught “The Bow.” Indeed, it is written down in the Book of Yashar.)

Later the king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun succeeded him.

He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army and they were deployed against the Ammonites.

So Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal city.

But when Absalom pressed him, he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons along with him.

Jonadab said to the king, “Look! The king’s sons have come! It’s just as I said!”

Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,

So the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah whom she had born to Saul, and the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab whom she had born to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.

The three sons of Zeruiah were there – Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. (Now Asahel was as quick on his feet as one of the gazelles in the field.)

The Benjaminites formed their ranks behind Abner and were like a single army, standing at the top of a certain hill.

Your hands were not bound, and your feet were not put into irons. You fell the way one falls before criminals.” All the people wept over him again.

Today I am weak, even though I am anointed as king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too much for me to bear! May the Lord punish appropriately the one who has done this evil thing!”

Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite – Recab and Baanah – went at the hottest part of the day to the home of Ish-bosheth, as he was enjoying his midday rest.

I have not lived in a house from the time I brought the Israelites up from Egypt to the present day. Instead, I was traveling with them and living in a tent.