1-3. Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king, deep down, still cared for Absalom. So he sent to Tekoa for a wise woman who lived there and instructed her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in black and don’t comb your hair, so you’ll look like you’ve been grieving over a dead loved one for a long time. Then go to the king and tell him this . . .” Joab then told her exactly what to say.
4. The woman of Tekoa went to the king, bowed deeply before him in homage, and said, “O King, help!”
8. The king said, “Go home, and I’ll take care of this for you.”
9. “I’ll take all responsibility for what happens,” the woman of Tekoa said. “I don’t want to compromise the king and his reputation.”
10. “Bring the man who has been harassing you,” the king continued. “I’ll see to it that he doesn’t bother you anymore.”