In Context

7 and smitten there are the people of Israel before the servants of David, and the smiting there is great on that day — twenty thousand;

8 and the battle is there scattered over the face of all the land, and the forest multiplieth to devour among the people more than those whom the sword hath devoured in that day.

9 And Absalom meeteth before the servants of David, and Absalom is riding on the mule, and the mule cometh in under an entangled bough of the great oak, and his head taketh hold on the oak, and he is placed between the heavens and the earth, and the mule that is under him hath passed on.

10 And one man seeth, and declareth to Joab, and saith, 'Lo, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.'

11 And Joab saith to the man who is declaring it to him, 'And lo, thou hast seen — and wherefore didst thou not smite him there to the earth — and on me to give to thee ten silverlings and one girdle?'

12 And the man saith unto Joab, 'Yea, though I am weighing on my hand a thousand silverlings, I do not put forth my hand unto the son of the king; for in our ears hath the king charged thee, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Observe ye who is against the youth — against Absalom;

2 Samuel 18:10 in Other Translations