Scriptures

New King James Version (NKJV)

2 Samuel 18
³¹ Just then the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, "There is good news, my lord the king! For the Lord has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you."
³² And the king said to the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" So the Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!"
³³ Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: "O my son Absalom--my son, my son Absalom--if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!"
2 Samuel 19
¹ And Joab was told, "Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom."
² So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, "The king is grieved for his son."
³ And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
⁴ But the king covered his face, and the king 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 disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines,
⁶ in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well.
⁷ Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now."
⁸ Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, "There is the king, sitting in the gate." So all the people came before the king. For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent.