⁵ The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” All the people heard the king’s orders to all the commanders about Absalom.

¹² The man replied to Joab, “Even if I had the weight of a thousand pieces of silver^[a] in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for me.’^[b](A)

¹⁴ Joab said, “I’m not going to waste time with you!” He then took three spears^[a] in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s chest. While Absalom was still alive in the oak tree,