Catholic Public Domain Version

2 Samuel 14:22-32 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

22. And falling to the ground upon his face, Joab reverenced, and he blessed the king. And Joab said: "Today your servant has understood that I have found grace in your sight, my lord the king. For you have accomplished the word of your servant."

23. Then Joab rose up, and he went away to Geshur. And he brought Absalom into Jerusalem.

24. But the king said, "Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face." And so, Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not see the face of the king.

25. Now in all of Israel, there was no man so handsome, and so very stately as Absalom. From the sole of the foot to the top of the head, there was no blemish in him.

26. And when he shaved off his hair, for he shaved it off once a year, because his long hair was burdensome to him, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, by the public weights.

27. Then three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, of elegant form, whose name was Tamar.

28. And Absalom remained for two years in Jerusalem, and he did not see the face of the king.

29. And so, he sent to Joab, so that he might send him to the king. But he refused to come to him. And when he had sent a second time, and he had refused to come to him,

30. he said to his servants: "You know that the field of Joab, the one that is near my field, has a harvest of barley. Therefore, go and set it on fire." And so, the servants of Absalom set fire to the grain field. And the servants of Joab, arriving with their garments torn, said, "The servants of Absalom have set fire to part of the field!"

31. And Joab rose up, and he went to Absalom at his house, and he said, "Why have your servants set fire to my grain field?"

32. And Absalom responded to Joab: "I sent to you, begging that you might come to me, and that I might send you to the king, and that you might say to him: 'Why was I brought from Geshur? It would have been better for me to be there.' I beg you, therefore, that I may see the face of the king. And if he is mindful of my iniquity, let him put me to death."