33 1The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And thus he said as he walked, “aO my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! bWould I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Chapter 19

Joab Reproves David’s Lament

1 Then it was told Joab, “Behold, athe king is weeping and mourns for Absalom.”

2 The 1victory that day was turned to mourning for all the people, for the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.”

3 So the people went by stealth into the city that day, as people who are humiliated steal away when they flee in battle.

4 The king acovered his face and 1cried out with a loud voice, “bO my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who today have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines,

6 by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you. For you have shown today that 1princes and servants are nothing to you; for I know this day that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then 2you would be pleased.

7 “Now therefore arise, go out and speak 1kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, surely anot a man will pass the night with you, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.”