2 Samuel 18

David organizes his forces but is begged to stay behind, charging his commanders to deal gently with Absalom. In the forest of Ephraim Absalom’s army is routed, and Absalom is caught by his head in an oak; against David’s order, Joab drives three javelins through him. When the news reaches David, the victorious king is overwhelmed with grief, crying, “O Absalom, my son, my son! Would I had died instead of you.”