6. Then David’s forces marched into the field to engage Israel in battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim.
7. The people of Israel were defeated by David’s soldiers, and the slaughter there was vast that day — 20,000 casualties.
8. The battle spread over the entire region, and that day the forest claimed more people than the sword.
9. Absalom was riding on his mule when he happened to meet David’s soldiers. When the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so he was suspended in midair.
10. One of the men saw him and informed Joab. He said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree! ”