2 Samuel 18:9-17

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

16Then 13Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people. 17And they took Absalom and threw him into 14a deep pit in the forest, and 15erected over him a very large pile of stones. And 16all Israel fled, each to his own tent.