The womanof Tekoasaidto the king,"O my lord,the king,the iniquityis on me and my father'shouse,but the kingand his throneare guiltless."
But his mothersaidto him, "Your cursebe on me, my son;onlyobeymy voice,and go,get[them] for me."
"I myselfwill be suretyfor him; you may holdme responsiblefor him. IfI do not bringhim [back] to you and sethim beforeyou, then let me bearthe blamebefore you forever.
So the kingsaid,"Whoever speaksto you, bringhim to me, and he will not touchyou anymore."
Then the kingsaidto the woman,"Goto your house,and I will giveordersconcerningyou."
"So shall their bloodreturnon the headof Joaband on the headof his descendantsforever;but to Davidand his descendantsand his houseand his throne,may there be peacefrom the LORDforever."
So you shall not pollutethe landin whichyou are; for bloodpollutesthe landand noexpiationcan be madefor the landfor the bloodthat is shedon it, exceptby the bloodof him who shedit.
And allthe peoplesaid,"His bloodshall be on us and on our children!"
She fellat his feetand said,"On me alone,my lord,be the blame.And pleaselet your maidservantspeakto you, and listento the wordsof your maidservant.