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.”
11. “Let the king invoke the name of God,” said the woman, “so this self-styled vigilante won’t ruin everything, to say nothing of killing my son.”“As surely as God lives,” he said, “not so much as a hair of your son’s head will be lost.”
12. Then she asked, “May I say one more thing to my master, the king?”He said, “Go ahead.”
18. The king then said, “I’m going to ask you something. Answer me truthfully.”“Certainly,” she said. “Let my master, the king, speak.”
21. The king spoke to Joab. “All right, I’ll do it. Go and bring the young man Absalom back.”
22. Joab bowed deeply in reverence and blessed the king. “I’m reassured to know that I’m still in your good graces and have your confidence, since the king is taking the counsel of his servant.”
32. Absalom answered him, “Listen, I sent for you saying, ‘Come, and soon. I want to send you to the king to ask, “What’s the point of my coming back from Geshur? I’d be better off still there!” Let me see the king face-to-face. If he finds me guilty, then he can put me to death.’”
33. Joab went to the king and told him what was going on. Absalom was then summoned—he came and bowed deeply in reverence before him. And the king kissed Absalom.