1. Someone told Joab, “The king is crying because Absalom is dead.”
2. David's army found out he was crying because his son had died, and their day of victory suddenly turned into a day of sadness.
3. The troops were sneaking into Mahanaim, just as if they had run away from a battle and were ashamed.
4. David held his hands over his face and kept on crying loudly, “My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”
5. Joab went to the house where David was staying and told him:You've made your soldiers ashamed! Not only did they save your life, they saved your sons and daughters and wives as well.
6. You're more loyal to your enemies than to your friends. What you've done today has shown your officers and soldiers that they don't mean a thing to you. You would be happy if Absalom was still alive, even if the rest of us were dead.