2 Samuel 18:6-17

6Then the people went out to the field against Israel, and the battle took place in 1the forest of Ephraim. 7The people of Israel were 2defeated 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 3his head caught firmly in the oak, and he was 4left 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 5my duty to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt.” 12But the man said to Joab, “Even if I were to 6receive 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 commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘8Protect the young man Absalom for me!’ 13Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against 9his life (and 10there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have 11avoided me.” 14Then Joab said, “I will not 12waste time here with you.” 13So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the 14midst of the oak. 15And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him.

16Then 15Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people. 17And they took Absalom and threw him into 16a deep pit in the forest, and 17erected over him a very large pile of stones. And 18all Israel fled, each to his own tent.