Dovid numbered the people that were with him and appointed over them officers [to lead] thousands and officers [to lead] hundreds.

Dovid sent the people forth, a third under the hand of Yoav, a third under the hand of Avishai, the son of Tsruyoh, Yoav's brother and a third by the hand of Itai, the Gitite. The king said to the people, "I will also go out with you."

The people said [in reply], "Do not go out [with us] because if we flee they will not pay us any attention and if they kill half of us they will not pay us any attention because now [you are worth] ten thousand of us. And now, it will be better if you help us from the city."

The king said to them, "I will do as you see fit." The king stood off to the side of the gate and all the people went forth, by hundreds and by thousands.

The king commanded Yoav, Avishai and Itai saying, "Be gentle to the young man, Avsholom for me." All the people heard the king's order to all the officers concerning Avshalom.

The people went out to the field against [the army of] Yisroel. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

The army of Yisroel was defeated there by the servants of Dovid. There was a great slaughter there on that day of twenty thousand [men lost].

The war spread all over the land, The [wild beasts of the] forest killed more people than the sword devoured on that day.

Avsholom chanced to meet the servants of Dovid and Avsholom was riding on a mule. The mule passed under the branches of a great elm tree and his head got caught in the elm tree. He was hanging between the sky and the earth and the mule that was under him passed on by.

A man saw this and told it to Yoav and said, "I saw Avsholom hanging from an elm tree."

Yoav said to the man who told him, "You saw him, why did you not strike him to the ground and I would have given you ten silver peices and one belt."

The man said to Yoav, "Had I been able to take a thousand silver peices, I would not have hurt the king's son because [we heard] with our own ears that the king commanded you, Avishai and Itai saying, 'Beware that none harm the young man, Avsholom'.

Had I tried to lie [and cover up his murder], nothing would [remain] concealed from the king and you would distance yourself [from me]."

Yoav said, "I will not ask you [any further]." He took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Avsholom's heart while he was still alive in the midst of the elm tree.

Ten young men, who carried Yoav's weapons gathered around, They struck Avsholom and killed him.

Yoav blew the shofar and his people stopped chasing after [the army of] Yisroel. because Yoav restrained his people.

They took Avsholom, threw him into a big ditch in the forest, and piled up a great heap of stones on top of it. All the men of Yisroel fled to their homes.

Avsholom had taken and built for himself a monument during his lifetime, which is in the king's valley because he said, "I have no son, this will memorialize my name." He named the monument after himself calling it, "the place of Avsholom." [It remains] until today.

Achima'atz, the son of Tsodok said, "I shall run and inform the king that Adonoy has punished his enemies."

Yoav said to him, "You are not to inform him today, but you shall inform him another day but do not announce it today because the king's son is dead."

Yoav said to the Kushite, "Go tell the king what you saw." The Kushite bowed to Yoav and ran off.

Achima'atz, the son Tsodok again asked and said to Yoav, "come what may please let me run after the Kushite [to inform the king as well]." Yoav replied, "Why should you run, my son there is no reward in this announcement for you."

"Come what may, I will run." And he [Yoav] said to him, "Run." Achima'atz ran by way of the plain and he passed the Kushite.

Dovid was sitting between the two gates and the lookout went up to roof of the gate on top of the wall. He looked out and saw that there was a man running alone.

The lookout called out and told the king. The King said, "If he is alone, he must be a messenger." He came closer and closer.

The lookout saw another man running. The lookout called the gate guard and said, "There is a man running alone." The King said, "This is also a messenger."

The lookout said, "I recognize the first man's running as being the runing of Achima'atz, the son of Tsodok." The king said, "This is a good man and he is coming with good news."

Achima'atz called out and said to the king, "All is well." He bowed to king with his face to the ground, and said, "Blessed is Adonoy your God that has delivered [into Yoav's hands] those men who rebelled against my master, the king."

The King said, "Is it well with the young man, Avsholom?" Achima'atz replied, "I saw a great multitude [engaged in battle] when Yoav sent one of the king's other servants and [me] your servant and I do not know what [happenned afterwords]."

The king said, "Move over there and stand there." He moved over there and stood there.

The Kushite arrived and the Kushite said, "Let it be announced [to all], my master, the king that today God has punished all those who have risen up against you."

The king said to the Kushite, "Is it well with the young man, Avsholom?" The Kushite replied, "May they [die] as did the young man [those who] are enemies of my master, the king as should all those who have risen up against you."