2 Samuel 19:1-8 - King David Weeps For Absalom
1 They brought Joab word. They said: The king weeps and mourns for Absalom. 2 David's army found out he was crying because his son died. Suddenly their day of victory turned into a day of sadness. 3 The troops returned to Mahanaim without celebration. It was as if they ran away from battle and were ashamed. 4 David held his hands over his face and kept on crying loudly. My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!
5 Joab went to the house where David was staying and told him: You have made your soldiers ashamed! They saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and wives as well. 6 You are more loyal to your enemies than to your friends. You show your officers and soldiers that they do not mean a thing to you. You would be happy if Absalom was still alive even if the rest of us were dead.
7 Now stand up! Go out there and thank them for what they did. If you do not, I swear by Jehovah you will not even have one man left on your side tomorrow morning. You may have had a lot of troubles in the past. But this will be the worst thing that has ever happened to you!
8 The king sat in the gateway. The troops were told: The king is sitting in the gateway. So they went to the king. Meanwhile, Israel fled back to their homes.