2 Samuel

2 Samuel 18:1-5

David was a military man and he knows that a battle was inevitable.  He set up his commanders and divided his army into 3 parts.  This is what a leader does.  It's not about him; a victory wasn't solely about David.  He valued the counsel and leadership of others.  David had also learned his leason about staying home when he should be on or near the battlefield.  He vowed to go out with them but the people gave him counsel not to.  This was wise counsel and David was wise to receive it.  They informed David that he was more valuable being in a safe place than in battle inspiring the troops.  Many of them could be lost without relinquishing rule to Absalom, but if David was killed, Absalom would be king.  David would also be able to understand the overall affect of the battle and possibly act as reserves for one of the other generals, thereby being exactly where he was needed most.  But, maybe most importantly, it would be hard for David to war against Absalom.  This may have been the real reason behind what they were saying.

This was an uncomfortable setting.  This was Israelites following David warring against Israelites following Absalom.  The end result was that Israel wold lose.  As these men were mobilized for battle, King David gave final instruction to deal gently with Absalom.  He was asking these men to lead people into battle and be victorious but to be nice to the source of the rebellion. 

2 Samuel 18:6-8

It is an interesting detail that more died from the forest than from the sword.  This may have been something natural in the contour of the land, hidden hazards or cliffs hidden by trees.  Or it may be something more supernatural in God helping them in this battle.

2 Samuel 18:9-15

It's hard to figure out how Absalom ended up trapped.  While it head was caught and it doesn't necessarily say by the hair, it would almost have to be that situation.  The donkey wouldn't have been tall enough to cause any real problems.  If it was his hair that got caught in the treen, then this great source of great pride led to his death.  

Joab questioned the young man who spotted Absalom.  But this man knew that David instructed them not to kill Absalom.  He was being obedient to the king.  Joab doesn't seem to give it a second thought.  He obviously felt that justice better served the king and Israel than the grace requested by David.  It's ironic that Joab's rebellious act ended the rebellious acts of Absalom.

2 Samuel 18:16-18

From what little we know of Absalom it's not hard to imagine him setting up a monument to himself.  He was very prideful, self centered and self promoting.  He did in fact have 3 sons.  We can only presume they somehow died prior to him.

2 Samuel 18:19-33

Joab tried to spare Ahimaaz the job of breaking the news to David.  But the zeal of Ahimaaz to share the news of the victory drove him to run to David first.  Thousands of people had died in this battle but David was worried about Absalom, the cause of the rebellion and death.  But deep down in side, David knew it was his sin and rebellion that was the cause; Absalom really was David's son in that way. 

©2016 Doug Ford