1. Now Joab, son of Zeruiah, knew how the king felt toward Absalom.
2. Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, to whom he said: “Pretend to be in mourning. Put on mourning apparel and do not anoint yourself with oil, that you may appear to be a woman who has long been mourning someone dead.
3. Then go to the king and speak to him in this manner.” And Joab told her what to say.