ISV(i)
17 “So your humble servant is saying, ‘Please, your majesty, let what the king has to say be of comfort, because just as the angel of God is, so also is your majesty the king to discern both good and evil. And may the LORD your God remain present with you.’”
18 In reply, the king asked the woman, “Please don’t conceal anything about which I’m going to be asking you now.”
So the woman replied, “Please, your majesty, let the king speak.”
19 Then the king asked, “Is Joab behind all of this with you?”
“As your soul lives, your majesty, the king,” the woman answered, “no one can divert anything left or right from what your majesty the king has spoken! As a matter of fact, it was your servant Joab! He was there, giving me precise orders about everything that your humble servant was to say. Your servant Joab did this, 20 intending to change the outcome of this matter. Nevertheless, your majesty is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to be aware of everything that’s going on throughout the earth.”
21David Authorizes Absalom’s ReturnThen the king addressed Joab, “Look! I’ll do this thing that you’ve requested. Go bring back the young man Absalom.”
22 At this, Joab fell on his face to the ground, prostrating himself to bless the king, and then said, “Today your servant realizes that he’s found favor with you, your majesty, in that the king has acted on the request of his servant.” 23 Then Joab got up, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.
24 Nevertheless, the king said, “Let him return to his own home and not show his face to me.” So Absalom returned to his own home and did not show his face to the king.
18 In reply, the king asked the woman, “Please don’t conceal anything about which I’m going to be asking you now.”
So the woman replied, “Please, your majesty, let the king speak.”
19 Then the king asked, “Is Joab behind all of this with you?”
“As your soul lives, your majesty, the king,” the woman answered, “no one can divert anything left or right from what your majesty the king has spoken! As a matter of fact, it was your servant Joab! He was there, giving me precise orders about everything that your humble servant was to say. Your servant Joab did this, 20 intending to change the outcome of this matter. Nevertheless, your majesty is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to be aware of everything that’s going on throughout the earth.”
21
22 At this, Joab fell on his face to the ground, prostrating himself to bless the king, and then said, “Today your servant realizes that he’s found favor with you, your majesty, in that the king has acted on the request of his servant.” 23 Then Joab got up, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.
24 Nevertheless, the king said, “Let him return to his own home and not show his face to me.” So Absalom returned to his own home and did not show his face to the king.