6. David’s army went out into the field against Absalom’s Israelites. They fought in the forest of Ephraim.
7. There David’s army defeated the Israelites. Many died that day—20,000 men.
8. The battle spread through all the country. But that day more men died in the forest than in the fighting.
9. Then Absalom happened to meet David’s troops. As Absalom was riding his mule, it went under a large oak tree. The branches were thick, and Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. His mule ran out from under him. So Absalom was left hanging above the ground.
10. When one of the men saw it happen, he told Joab. He said, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”
11. Joab said to him, “You saw him? Why didn’t you kill him and let him fall to the ground? I would have given you a belt and four ounces of silver!”
12. The man answered, “I wouldn’t try to hurt the king’s son. I wouldn’t even if you gave me 25 pounds of silver. We heard the king’s command to you, Abishai and Ittai. The king said, ‘Be careful not to hurt young Absalom.’