1. The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate and wept. He said as he wept, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”
2. Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom,”
3. and that day’s victory was turned into mourning for the whole army when they heard, “The king is grieving for his son.”
4. The soldiers stole into the city that day like men shamed by flight in battle.
5. Meanwhile the king covered his face and cried out in a loud voice, “My son Absalom! Absalom! My son, my son!”
6. So Joab went to the king’s residence and said: “Though they saved your life and your sons’ and daughters’ lives, and the lives of your wives and your concubines, you have put all your servants to shame today
7. by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you. For you have announced today that officers and servants are nothing to you. Indeed I am now certain that if Absalom were alive today and all of us dead, that would be fine with you.