But if I had disobeyed the king and killed Absalom, the king would have heard about it---he hears about everything---and you would not have defended me."

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and exclaimed, "How can the king of Syria expect me to cure this man? Does he think that I am God, with the power of life and death? It's plain that he is trying to start a quarrel with me!"