2 David's army found out he was crying because his son had died, and their day of victory suddenly turned into a day of sadness.
3 The troops were sneaking into Mahanaim, just as if they had run away from a battle and were ashamed.
4 David held his hands over his face and kept on crying loudly, “My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”
5 Joab went to the house where David was staying and told him:You've made your soldiers ashamed! Not only did they save your life, they saved your sons and daughters and wives as well.
6 You're more loyal to your enemies than to your friends. What you've done today has shown your officers and soldiers that they don't mean a thing to you. You would be happy if Absalom was still alive, even if the rest of us were dead.
7 Now get up! Go out there and thank them for what they did. If you don't, I swear by the Lord that you won't even have one man left on your side tomorrow morning. You may have had a lot of troubles in the past, but this will be the worst thing that has ever happened to you!
8 David got up and went to the town gate and sat down. When the people heard that he was sitting there, they came to see him.After Israel's soldiers had all returned home,