16 And Jo´ab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Jo´ab held back the people.
17 And they took Ab´salom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18 Now Ab´salom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Ab´salom's place.
19 Then said Ahim´a-az the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the Lord hath avenged him of his enemies.
20 And Jo´ab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.
21 Then said Jo´ab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Jo´ab, and ran.
22 Then said Ahim´a-az the son of Zadok yet again to Jo´ab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Jo´ab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?