⁵ Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed all your soldiers—those who rescued your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, your wives, and your concubines. ⁶ You love your enemies and hate those who love you! Today you have made it clear that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. In fact, today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would be fine with you!^[a]

⁷ “Now get up! Go out and encourage^[b] your soldiers, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight.^(A) This will be worse for you than all the trouble that has come to you from your youth until now!”