me home. And after by the moyen of
Joab he was sent for, and came into Jerusalem, but yet he might not come
in his father the king's presence, and dwelled there two years, and
might not see the King his father. This Absalom was the fairest man that
ever was, for from the sole of his foot unto his head there was not a
spot; he had so much hair on his head that it grieved him to bear,
wherefore it was shorn off once a year, it weighed two hundred shekels
of good weight. Then when he abode so long that he might not come to his
father's presence he sent for Joab to come speak with him, and he would
not come. He sent again for him and he came not. Then Absalom said to
his servants: Know ye Joab's field that lieth by my field? They said
yea. Go ye, said he, and set fire in the barley that is therein, and
burn it. And Joab's servants came and told to Joab that Absalom had set
fire on his corn. Then Joab came to Absalom and said: Why hast thou set
fire on my corn! And he said, I have sent twice to thee, praying thee to
come to me that I might send thee to the king, and that thou shouldst
say to him why I came from Geshur; it had been better for me for to have
abiden there. I pray thee that I may come to his presence and see his
visage, and if he remember my wickedness let him slay me. Joab went in
to the King and told to him all these words. Then was Absalom called,
and entered in to the king, and he fell down and worshipped the king,
and the king kissed him. After this Absalom did do make for himself
chariots and horsemen and fifty men for to go before him, and walked
among the tribes of Israel; and greeted and saluted them, taking them by
the hand, and kissed them, by which he gat to him the hearts of the
people; and said to his father that he had avowed to make sacrifice to
God in Hebron, and his father gave him leave. And when he was there he
gathered people to him, and made himself king, and did do cry that all
men should obey and wait on him as king of Israel. When David heard this
he was sore abashed and was fain to flee out of Jerusalem. And Absalom
came with his people and entered into Jerusalem into his father's house,
and after pursued his father to depose him. And David ordained his
people and battle against him, and sent Joab, prince of his host,
against Absalom, and divided his host into three parts, and would have
gone with them, but Joab counselled that he should not go to the battle
whatsomever happed, and then D