1. Now Joab, the son of Zeruiah, understood that the heart of the king had been turned toward Absalom,
2. so he sent to Tekoa, and he brought from there a wise woman. And he said to her: "Feign that you are in mourning, and put on the clothing of one who mourns. And do not anoint yourself with oil, so that you may be like a woman who is still grieving for someone who died some time ago.
3. And you shall enter to the king, and you shall speak words to him in this manner." Then Joab put the words in her mouth.