and the king sang a lament for Abner:

Should Abner die as a fool dies?

Now, Lord God, fulfill the promise forever that You have made to Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised,

Then the king answered the woman, “I’m going to ask you something; don’t conceal it from me!”

“Let my lord the king speak,” the woman replied.

“Look,” Absalom explained to Joab, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? I’d be better off if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king. If I am guilty, let him kill me.”