The Book of II Samuel
Chapters 18-19
Absalom's Death. David Returns to Jerusalem and His Kingship.
David Launches a Pre-emptive Strike Against Absalom's Army
18:1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
18:2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
This is a classic military strategy that is still effective today: a main force with 2 flanks.
This was a preemptive strike. Absalom had expected to besiege the city where David was holed up. Amasa and the men of Israel proved to be no match for the experienced Joab, Abashai and Ittai. The location of the ambush was also perfect: the woods. Being in the woods, it was difficult to see what was happening and the Bible says that the woods devoured more than the sword.
David mustered the men who were with him and marshaled reinforcements. No doubt from verse 1 faithful followers from around the kingdom joined him.
God uses means to accomplish his purposes. We pray for bread, but then we don’t look up into the sky and wait for it to fall from heaven. We go to work for it and God blesses our work. We wait patiently on the Lord while we work.
The remarkable answer that God had given to his prayer in Chapter 17 that the counsel of Ahithophel might be turned to foolishness, no doubt strengthened David’s faith. Yet strong faith did not produce either sloth or carelessness. David acted with diligence and wisdom by mustering his army.
18:3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.
18:4 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
18:5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
David’s men valued him highly. David was wise enough to be flexible in his course of action. He listened to reason. We need to be uncompromising in our doctrine, but willing to hear feedback regarding our conduct.
If David had gone with them, he was likely to have saved Absalom. Yet it was God’s will to destroy Absalom, so providence is at work here, holding David back. Sometimes God closes the door to us for his own purpose.
Verse 5 shows that David had confidence that his men would win the battle. David allowed his emotion for Absalom to get in the way of doing what is right: his sense of justice was clouded. Our allegiance should be to God first and family second. That is why Jesus said:
“For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
"And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."
"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.“ Matt 10:35-37
18:6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
The Bible does not say what it means that the wood devoured more than the sword. There could have been bogs, cliffs, wild animals or a combination thereof. In any case, we know that God was working in favor of David that day.
Joab Kills Absalom
9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
The Bible does not technically say that Absalom was caught by his hair. He could have been caught by the neck.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
The girdle signifies a warrior’s belt.
12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.
It would not have been right for this soldier to appoint himself as public executioner. Joab’s reputation preceded him. This wise soldier knew that if he killed the king’s son, Joab would have taken sides against him.
14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
The “darts” here probably refer to javelin’s, which are throwing spears.
15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.
The grave with the pile of stones is a dishonorable burial for a king’s son. It stands in contrast to the grand monument that Absalom built for himself where he had expected to be buried.
19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.
21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
It is not certain whether his name was actually “Cushi”, or if this refers to the fact that he was a Cushite from Ethiopia.
22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
When the watchman upon the walls reported that a single runner was approaching, followed by another lone individual, David knew that his forces had not been defeated, for in that case, his men had fled before the enemy in confusion, and had come back in scattered groups.
18:25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
18:27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
18:28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
18:29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
David’s reaction shows that he was more concerned about his son than he was about the welfare of his people or his kingdom. This was an inappropriate attitude to have. Joab rebukes him in Chapter 19.
30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
David was overcome with grief due to his inordinate affection for Absalom. He showed no thanksgiving that God had saved his kingdom. He probably realized that not only was Absalom dead, but that his soul was lost; because nothing is recorded that would indicate that Absalom ever had a relationship with the Lord.
Absalom was guilty of treason and deserved to die; yet in spite of all, David loved him. There is only one other example in the Bible that so clearly shows forth deep love for the utterly unworthy.
David’s love for Absalom foreshadows the amazing love of Christ. Even while we were totally depraved, utterly corrupt, dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1); God commended His love toward us by the death of His Son (Rom. 5:8):
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8And it was for the rebellious and the ungodly that He was crucified. Nor can anything ever separate us from that love (Rom 8:39). This kind of love "passeth knowledge." (Eph 3:19).
2 Samuel Chapter 19
Joab Tells David To Encourage His Men
19:1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
6 In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
There is grief and then there is inordinate grief. As a public servant, David should have watched what he was saying in consideration of his men. He was also taking issue with God’s providence. Instead of congratulating and thanking his army, he made them think that he had regret for what they had accomplished. It was now time for him to be an effective leader and re-establish his kingdom, but instead he was paralyzed with grief.
7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.
Although Joab was right in this matter, he showed his own self-interest and his disregard for the king’s feelings. He was arrogant with the king and showed disrespect for him. Sometimes God uses the rough rebukes of the insensitive to spur us to godly action.
8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
So David went out to encourage his men. If he had not, he could have lost his staunchest supporters.
The People Call For The Return Of Their King
9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
12 Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
13 And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
David wanted to win over an influential leader of those who had rebelled against him. By receiving Amasa, he would not only win over his party, but also show that he was willing to forgive those who had rebelled against him.
19:14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
David did not return until he was convinced that the people really wanted him back. He was unwilling to be king of those who welcomed him not. In this we have typically illustrated an important truth: "Our Lord Jesus will rule in those who invite Him to the throne of their hearts, and not till He is invited. He first bows the heart and makes it willing in the day of His power, and then rules in the midst of His enemies: Psalm 110:2, 3"
David Crosses the Jordan. Shimei Confesses His Sin.
19:15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?
19:22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
This is David’s way of saying “We are not on the same page.” “We are not seeing eye to eye on this issue.” “What you are suggesting is contrary to my purpose.”
19:23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
David had received wonderful mercy from God; and he himself was showing mercy to Shimei. The Lord Jesus taught that his disciples are to be merciful to others in the way that God was to them. Remember the servant whom the Lord had forgiven his debt, who then went out and tried to extract debts from his fellow servants. As Christians we need to be gracious and merciful as God was merciful to us.
Jesus taught that if we are forgiving, God will be forgiving to us:
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15
Divine grace had not only pardoned his grievous sins against Uriah, but had now delivered him from the murderous designs of Absalom; how, then, could he consent to the death of even his worst enemy! Divine grace not only forgives sins, but it also transforms sinners. Thereby the divine "workmanship" (Eph. 2:10) is made manifest.
Here is the type. This is a picture of the Gospel. The truth of the Gospel is that Christ "receiveth sinners." Yes, He not only spares, but welcomes His worst enemies, and freely pardons them. Nevertheless, they must seek Him, surrender to His Lordship, take their place before Him in the dust as penitents, confessing their sins, and casting themselves on His sovereign mercy. This is what Shimei did. He determined to make his peace with David, came to him, and bowed down before him; and we read that the king said "Thou shalt not die." And this, dear reader, is what the King of kings will say to you, if you bown down before him and call upon his mercy.
Mephibosheth Comes Out To Meet David
24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
Mephibosheth’s statement in v. 30 proves his undivided devotion to David. All he wanted was to be in David’s presence. Now that the king was restored, nothing else mattered.
Mephibosheth was in such mental distress over David’s departure that he had not even attended to his own personal care.
Compare this instance with Mephibosheth to what Christ said about his disciples and how they would mourn during his own absence:
"The days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast" (Matthew 9:15)—it becomes us to mourn during the King’s absence! Note how the apostle rebukes the Corinthians because they were "full," "rich," and had "reigned as kings" (1 Cor. 4:8).
31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
41 And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?
42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift?
43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
Introduction | 2 Samuel 1-4 | 2 Samuel 5 | 2 Samuel 6 | 2 Samuel 7 | 2 Samuel 8 | 2 Samuel 9 | 2 Samuel 11 | 2 Samuel 12 | 2 Samuel 13-14 | 2 Samuel 15-17 | 2 Samuel 18-19 | 2 Samuel 20-21 | 2 Samuel 22 | 2 Samuel 23 | 2 Samuel 24