29. The king said, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about.”
30. And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.
31. Just then the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “There is good news, my lord the king! For the Lord has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you.”
32. And the king said to the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”So the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!”
33. Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”