~ Joab Reprimands King David ~

 Joab was told,
"The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom."
And for the whole army
the victory that day was turned into mourning,
because on that day the troops heard it said,
"The king is grieving for his son."
The men stole into the city that day as men steal in
who are ashamed when they flee from battle.
The king covered his face and cried aloud,
"O my son Absalom!  O Absalom, my son, my son!"

Then Joab went into the house to the king and said,
"Today you have humiliated all your men,
who have just saved your life
and the lives of your sons and daughters
and the lives of your wives and concubines.
You love those who hate you
and hate those who love you.
You have made it clear today
that the commanders and their men
mean nothing to you.
I see that you would be pleased
if Absalom were alive today
and all of us were dead.
Now go out and encourage your men.
I swear by the Lord
that if you don't go out,
not a man will be left with you by nightfall.
this will be worse for you
than all the calamities that have come upon you
from your youth till now."

So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway.
When the men were told,
"The king is sitting in the gateway,"
they all came before him.

(II Samuel 19:1-8)