1. Now Joab the son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart went out to Absalom.
2. And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and said to her, “Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning garments. Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead.
3. Go to the king and speak thus to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.