And the people went out into the field against Israel. And the battle was in the forest of Ephraim. And the people of Israel were killed there before the servants of David. And there was a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand. For the battle was scattered there over the face of all the country. And the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. read more.
And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode on a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak. And his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heavens and the earth. And the mule under him went away. And a certain man saw and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab said to the man who told him, And, behold, you saw him, and why did you not strike him there to the ground? And I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a girdle. And the man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand silverlings in my hand, yet I would not put forth my hand against the king's son. For in our ears the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware you who go against the young man, against Absalom. Or I would have dealt falsely with my own life, for there is no matter hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me. And Joab said, I cannot stay here with you this way! And he took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him. And Joab blew the ram's horn, and the people returned from pursuing Israel. For Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom and threw him into a great pit in the forest. And they laid a very great heap of stones upon him. And all Israel fled, each one to his tent.