1. Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was on Absalom.
2. So Joab sent word to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there. He said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning clothes. Do not anoint yourself with oil but be like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead.
3. Then go to the king and speak to him these words.” Then Joab put the words in her mouth.