So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men.

Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. And his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going.

Then they kept crossing the ford to bring over the king’s household, and to do what was good in his sight. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was about to cross the Jordan.

“For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
And have not acted wickedly against my God.

“I was also blameless toward Him,
And I kept myself from my iniquity.

“You have also delivered me from the contentions of my people;
You have kept me as head of the nations;
A people whom I have not known serve me.