1. Now Yoav Ben Tzeruyah perceived that the lev HaMelech was toward Avshalom.
2. And Yoav sent to Tekoah, and brought from there an isha chachamah, and said unto her, now, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with shemen, but be as an isha that had a long time mourned for the dead;
3. And come to HaMelech, and speak on this manner unto him. So Yoav put the devarim in her peh (mouth).
4. And when the isha of Tekoah spoke to HaMelech, she fell on her face to the ground, and prostrated herself, and said, Hoshi'ah (help), O Melech.
5. And HaMelech said unto her, What troubleth thee? She answered, I am indeed an almanah, and mine ish is dead.
6. And thy shifchah had two banim, and they two fought together in the sadeh, and there was none to separate them, but the one struck the other, and killed him.
7. And, hinei, kol hamishpakhah is risen against thine shifchah (handmaid), and they said, Deliver him that struck his brother, that we may kill him, for the nefesh of his brother whom he killed; and we will destroy the yoresh (heir) also; and so they shall quench my burning coal remaining, and shall not leave to my ish shem nor she'erit upon ha'adamah.
8. And HaMelech said to the isha, Go to thine bais; I will give charge concerning thee.
9. And the isha of Tekoah said unto HaMelech, Adoni, O Melech, the avon (guilt) be on me, and on my bais avi; and HaMelech and his kisse be guiltless.