New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 Samuel 18
29 The king said, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" And Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was."
30 Then the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still.
31 Behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, "Let my lord the king receive good news, for the Lord has freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you."
32 Then the king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" And the Cushite answered, "Let the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be as that young man!"
33 The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And thus he said as he walked, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
2 Samuel 19
1 Then it was told Joab, "Behold, the king is weeping and mourns for Absalom."
2 The victory that day was turned to mourning for all the people, for the people heard it said that day, "The king is grieved for his son."
3 So the people went by stealth into the city that day, as people who are humiliated steal away when they flee in battle.
4 The king covered his face and cried out with a loud voice, "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, "Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who today have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines,
6 by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you. For you have shown today that princes and servants are nothing to you; for I know this day that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.
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