2 Samuel 18:5-13

5But the king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And 1all the people heard when the king commanded all the commanders regarding Absalom.

6Then the people went out to the field against Israel, and the battle took place in 2the forest of Ephraim. 7The people of Israel were 3defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, twenty thousand 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 encountered the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the branches of a massive oak. Then 4his head caught firmly in the oak, and he was 5left hanging between the sky and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going. 10When a certain man saw him, he informed Joab and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.” 11Then Joab said to the man who had informed him, “So behold, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? And it would have been 6my duty to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt.” 12But the man said to Joab, “Even if I were to 7receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for 8in our hearing the king commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘9Protect the young man Absalom for me!’ 13Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against 10his life (and 11there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have 12avoided me.”