1. Joab, the son of Zeruiah, knew that the king longed to see Absalom.
2. So Joab sent someone to Tekoa to have a wise woman brought back from there. Joab said to her, "Pretend you are filled with sadness. Put on black clothes. Don't use any makeup. Act like a woman who has spent many days sobbing over someone who has died.
3. Then go to the king. Give him the message I'm about to give you." And Joab told her what to say.
4. The woman from Tekoa went to the king. She bowed down with her face toward the ground. She did it to show him respect. She said, "King David, please help me!"
5. The king asked her, "What's bothering you?" She said, "I'm a widow. My husband is dead.