2 Samuel 18:4-13

4Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So 1the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands. 5The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And 2all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning Absalom.

6Then the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle took place in 3the forest of Ephraim. 7The people of Israel were 4defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men. 8For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

9Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. And 5his head caught fast in the oak, so he was 6left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going. 10When a certain man saw it, he told Joab and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.” 11Then Joab said to the man who had told him, “Now behold, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? And I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt.” 12The man said to Joab, “Even if I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for 7in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘8Protect for me the young man Absalom!’ 13Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and 9there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.”