They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and stacked a huge pile of stones over him. In the meantime all the Israelite soldiers fled to their homes. ¹ 

These are the final words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised up as the ruler chosen by the God of Jacob, ¹  Israel’s beloved ²  singer of songs:

How the warriors have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places!

Then Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

¹ Then David asked, “Is anyone still left from the family ²  of Saul, so that I may extend kindness to him for the sake of Jonathan?”

Because he committed this cold-hearted crime, he must pay for the lamb four times over!” ¹ 

Then the king told the woman, “Go to your home. I will give instructions concerning your situation.” ¹ 

Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The men of Israel are loyal to Absalom!” ¹ 

So the king and all the members of his royal court ¹  set out on foot, though the king left behind ten concubines ²  to attend to the palace.

Hushai replied to Absalom, “Ahithophel’s advice is not sound this time.” ¹ 

The king said, “Turn aside and take your place here.” So he turned aside and waited.

You are my brothers – my very own flesh and blood! ¹  Why should you delay any further in bringing the king back?’

Abishai son of Zeruiah replied, “For this should not Shimei be put to death? After all, he cursed the Lord’s anointed!”

When David was told what Rizpah daughter of Aiah, Saul’s concubine, had done,

But evil people are like thorns – all of them are tossed away, for they cannot be held in the hand.

So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning ¹  and put on garments for mourning. Don’t anoint yourself with oil. Instead, act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for some time. ² 

When he saw the angel who was destroying the people, David said to the Lord, “Look, it is I who have sinned and done this evil thing! As for these sheep – what have they done? Attack me and my family.” ¹ 

David said to him, “Your blood be on your own head! Your own mouth has testified against you, saying ‘I have put the Lord’s anointed to death.’”

So Abner spoke again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me! I do not want to strike you to the ground. ¹  How then could I show ²  my face in the presence of Joab your brother?”

Joab replied, “As surely as God lives, if you had not said this, it would have been morning before the people would have abandoned pursuit ¹  of their brothers!”