2 Samuel 14:21-33

21Then the king said to Joab, “Behold now, 1I 2will certainly do this thing; go then, bring back the young man Absalom.” 22And Joab fell on his face to the ground, prostrated himself, and blessed the king; then Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has performed the 3request of his servant.” 23So Joab arose and went to 4Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24However, the king said, “He shall return to 5his own house, but he shall not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house and did not see the king’s face.

25Now in all Israel there was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; 6from the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no impairment in him. 26And when he 7cut the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, because it was heavy on him, so he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at 8two hundred shekels by the king’s weight. 27And 9to Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was 10Tamar; she was a woman of beautiful appearance.

28Now Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, 11yet he did not see the king’s face. 29Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. So he sent word again a second time, but he would not come. 30Therefore he said to his servants, “See, 12Joab’s plot is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the plot on fire. 31Then Joab got up, came to Absalom at his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my plot on fire?” 32Absalom 13answered Joab, “Behold, I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me still to be there.”’ Now then, let me see the king’s face, 14and if there is guilt in me, he can have me executed.” 33So when Joab came to the king and told him, he summoned Absalom. Then Absalom came to the king and prostrated himself 15with his face to the ground before the king; and 16the king kissed Absalom.