First Reading2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3
From the Second Book of Samuel
9Absalom happened to meet David’s servants.Absalom was riding on his mule,and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak;and his head caught hold of the oak,and he was hanging between the sky and earth;and the mule that was under him went on.10A certain man saw it,and told Joab, and said,“Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”
verses 11–13 are not read14Then Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this with you.”He took three darts in his handand thrust them through Absalom’s heartwhile he was still alive in the middle of the oak.
verses 15–23 are not read24Now David was sitting between the two gates;and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall,and lifted up his eyes and looked,and, behold, a man running alone.25The watchman shouted and told the king.The king said, “If he is alone,there is news in his mouth.”He came closer and closer.
verses 26–29 are not read30The king said, “Come and stand here.”He came and stood still.
31Behold, the Cushite came.The Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king,for the Lord has avenged you today of all thosewho rose up against you.”
32The king said to the Cushite,“Is it well with the young man Absalom?”
The Cushite answered,“May the enemies of my lord the king,and all who rise up against you to do you harm,be as that young man is.”
1The king was much moved,and went up to the room over the gate and wept.As he went, he said, “My son Absalom!My son, my son Absalom!I wish I had died instead of you,Absalom, my son, my son!”
2Joab was told, “Behold,the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”3The victory that day was turned into mourning among all the people,for the people heard it said that day,“The king grieves for his son.”