2 Samuel 18:6-17

6Then David’s forces marched into the field to engage Israel in battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim.

7Israel’s army was defeated by David’s soldiers, and the slaughter there was vast that day — twenty thousand dead.

8The battle spread over the entire area, and that day the forest claimed more people than the sword.

9Absalom was riding on his mule when he happened to meet David’s soldiers. When the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so he was suspended in midair.

10One of the men saw him and informed Joab. He said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”

11“You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed. “Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten silver pieces and a belt!”

12The man replied to Joab, “Even if I had the weight of a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for me.’

13If I had jeopardized my own life — and nothing is hidden from the king — you would have abandoned me.”

14Joab said, “I’m not going to waste time with you!” He then took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s chest. While Absalom was still alive in the oak tree,

15ten young men who were Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

16Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab restrained them.

17They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and raised up a huge mound of stones over him. And all Israel fled, each to his tent.