"However, Absalom,whomwe anointedoverus, has diedin battle.Nowthen, whyare you silentabout bringingthe kingback?"
Davidsaidto allhis servantswhowere with him at Jerusalem,"Ariseand let us flee,for [otherwise] noneof us will escapefrom Absalom.Goin haste,orhe will overtakeus quicklyand bringdowncalamityon us and strikethe citywith the edgeof the sword."
So the kingwentout and allhis householdwith him. But the kinglefttenconcubinesto keepthe house.
Then Joabsaid,"I will not wastetimeherewith you." So he tookthreespearsin his handand thrustthem through the heartof Absalomwhile he was yetalivein the midstof the oak.
Then KingDavidsentto Zadokand Abiatharthe priests,saying,"Speakto the eldersof Judah,saying,'Whyare you the lastto bringthe kingbackto his house,since the wordof allIsraelhas cometo the king,[even] to his house?
Now the kingwenton to Gilgal,and Chimhamwenton with him; and allthe peopleof Judahand alsohalfthe peopleof Israelaccompaniedthe king.
Allthe peoplewere quarrelingthroughout allthe tribesof Israel,saying,"The kingdeliveredus from the handof our enemiesand savedus from the handof the Philistines,but nowhe has fledout of the landfrom Absalom.
They have setup kings,but not by Me; They have appointedprinces,but I did not know[it]. With their silverand goldthey have madeidolsfor themselves, That they might be cutoff.
They said,"Arise,and let us goup againstthem; for we have seenthe land,and behold,it is verygood.And will you sitstill?Do not delayto go,to enter,to possessthe land.
