Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun.’”

He also brought out the people who were in it, and set them under saws, sharp iron instruments, and iron axes, and made them pass through the brickkiln. And thus he did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

David sent the people out, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.”

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 David came to his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and placed them under guard and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows.

“He bowed the heavens also, and came down
With thick darkness under His feet.

“You enlarge my steps under me,
And my feet have not slipped.

“And I have devoured them and shattered them, so that they did not rise;
And they fell under my feet.

“For You have girded me with strength for battle;
You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

The God who executes vengeance for me,
And brings down peoples under me,