4 The king said to his people, “I will do what you think is best.” So the king stood at the side of the gate as the army went out. They went out in groups of 100 and 1,000.
5 The king gave a command to Joab, Abishai and Ittai. He said, “Be gentle with young Absalom for my sake.” Everyone heard the king’s orders about Absalom to the commanders.
6 David’s army went out into the field against Absalom’s Israelites. They fought in the forest of Ephraim.
7 There David’s army defeated the Israelites. Many died that day—20,000 men.
8 The battle spread through all the country. But that day more men died in the forest than in the fighting.
9 Then Absalom happened to meet David’s troops. As Absalom was riding his mule, it went under a large oak tree. The branches were thick, and Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. His mule ran out from under him. So Absalom was left hanging above the ground.
10 When one of the men saw it happen, he told Joab. He said, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”