Battle plan
2 Sam 18:1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
David had a mighty army of mighty men who were experienced. David as commander of the troops, knew his leaders and appointed them into three squadrons.
2 Sam 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.
Joab had been a long time general under David. He opposed Abner when Israel fought against Judah. Now Israel was one nation, with a battle over who will be king.
2 Sam 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.
If David went to battle, all under Absalom would seek to destroy him. He was counseled to stay in the city for his safety.
2 Sam 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.
2 Sam 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 loved his rebellious son, even as thousands went forth in battle against the aggression of Absalom. "Deal gently for my sake with the young man," a father's heart for his son. War is not a place to be gentle. God's spirit is gentle, but also mighty. The Spirit can raise the dead and give strength to the weak and the young. David by the Spirit, slew the Giant Goliath. Now by that same spirit he sends words of gentle compassion to the son who seeks to kill him. We serve the Spirit of life and love. Those who are of God are opposed by those of the other spirit; the devil's spirit of death and destruction, even families are divided by this spirit. Those of God are united by his Spirit and His love.
Slaughter
22 Sam 18:6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
2 Sam 18:7 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.
Because of the rebellion of Absalom, brother fought against brother and 20,000 people of Israel were slain in one day. Compare that to the three day battle of Gettysburg in the United States Civil war of 1863 where approximately twenty to twenty-eight thousand were killed on both sides. The D-day invasion of world war 2 had about 5800 casualties in the week long invasion. This was a major battle loss for Israel.
2 Sam 18:8 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.
How so? Apparently God intervened and used natural things to battle against the rebellious people. Tree limbs, briars, swamps, wild animals, and perhaps confusion overwhelmed the armies of Absalom and David's army prevailed.
This was not the first time that natural things were used against those who opposed God's chosen people. In Egypt there were many plagues sent from nature.
Exo 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
Exo 9:15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
In the war with Iraq, the troops were caught in a blinding sandstorm. When the storm was over, all the land mines were exposed that were hidden in the sand. God uses the elements and nature against those who oppose him and favors those who trust in him. Those who trust in the Lord are a blessed people. Those who oppose him are overcome.
Three Darts
2 Sam 18:10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
Whether he be hanging by the head or the hair, he was hanging in the branch of an oak tree, apparently wedged tight.
2 Sam 18:11 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 military belt was the chief ornament of a soldier, and was highly prized in all ancient nations; it was also a rich present from one chieftain to another." (Clarke)
2 Sam 18:12 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.
2 Sam 18:13 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.
The soldier was honorable, having good character. He would obey the king, before obeying another man. We shall obey and serve king Jesus, before the orders of a man. Peter boldly stood for Jesus against the commands of powerful men.
Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
2 Sam 18:14 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.
Perhaps Joab would have put the blame for slaying Absalom on the man, if he had have slain Absalom at his request. Joab would finish off Absalom himself. He threw three darts into the heart of Absalom.
2 Sam 18:15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
I see a picture here of how satan attacks.
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Satan uses words as darts into our heart. If we are not strong in the Lord, then he sends his demonic spirits to torment and finish the job.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
Absalom deserved to die, but Joab went against the command of his king.
Sound of the Trumpet
2 Sam 18:16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
There is a trumpet call to advance into battle and a trumpet call to retreat, or cease fighting.
Communication is important.
1 Cor 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
1 Cor 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1 Cor 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (speaking in an unknown tongue)
When Jesus comes back there will be a trumpet call to assembly as was on Mt. Sinai with Moses.
Exo 19:13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
Exo 19:14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.
Exo 19:15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.
Exo 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
Probably many were wondering about the sound of the trumpet, what had happened? Absalom was dead. The trumpet will call for us as Jesus returns. Will we be cleansed and waiting on holy ground? Or will we be living for what this world has to offer? Absalom wanted power and honor of man. He died before God hanging helpless from a tree, with no one to help him. Jesus is our help and our life, we choose the eternal way. He has given his flesh life so that we may have life in his Spirit, through faith in the only begotten Son of God.
Monuments to Absalom
2 Sam 18:17 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.
They, Joab and his ten armour bearers, cast the slaughtered pretender as king, into a great pit in the woods. No doubt Absalom also was cast into hell, for there was no fruit of repentance or of God in his life.
Absalom had an eye for vengeance, taking his brother's life. He had an eye for power and the throne of David his father.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
He followed the evil counsel of Ahithophel, grabbing hold of his father's ten concubines, in the sight of all Israel.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
The punishment for sin was death, often by stoning. He was buried under many stones. This also was a way of burial and a monument. Those who saw the great pile of stones would remember the self willed rebellion of Absalom, it would stand as a warning against sin. When the people at that time saw this, they all fled to their tents, no doubt remembering the command of David:
2 Sam 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.
2 Sam 18:18 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.
It is customary to have monuments made after the death of a great ruler. Absalom had one made while yet alive, to give himself honor.
1 Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Absalom did not fit into God's ways. He made his own way. Two monuments stood in remembrance of Absalom, one a pillar in the King's dale, a remembrance of his selfish pride. The other a heap of stones in the woods, representing judgment and an end to his foolish ways. How will we be remembered?
Deliverance
2 Sam 18:23 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.
This reminds me of Peter and John running to the empty tomb of Jesus. Both were excited, but John was younger and outrun Peter. They would indeed be bearers of the good news, the glad tidings, the gospel message that Christ has risen from the grave, in Christ Jesus is everlasting life and the forgiveness of sins.
John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
John 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
John 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
John 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
2 Sam 18:24 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.
2 Sam 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.
2 Sam 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.
2 Sam 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.
Ahimaaz was a friend of King David, a good man. We are to bring the good tidings first to family and friends. But as Peter and John, he was not yet aware of the full message.
2 Sam 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.
Ahimaaz delivered the message of deliverance. The son of David, Jesus, Son of God would come as the deliverer. He was David's best son, yet to come, truly a man after God's own heart. The only begotten of the Father from heaven.
Isa 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 Sam 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.
Ahimaaz did not have the complete message, he only knew what he had seen and experienced. When we are saved from our sins we are to witness Jesus the deliverer, with our testimony. But to minister the fullness of the good news, we must know first for ourselves the truth. We need to understand the message.
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.
David as a father, was concerned for his son, Absalom. No father can rejoice in the death of a wayward son.
My son, my son
2 Sam 18:30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
Ahimaaz was told to turn aside, there was more to hear. Moses used this phrase when he inquired of the burning bush.
Exo 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
Exo 3:4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
Exo 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Exo 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Turn aside, be still and listen, there is more to hear. Often we have only part of the truth, when God wishes to tell us more. We must be sensitive to the voice of the Lord. Abraham and Moses heard the voice of the LORD.
Exo 6:2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Exo 6:4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
Exo 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Exo 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Exo 6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
David wanted to here more from the other runner, more about his son Absalom.
2 Sam 18:31 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.
The good news is, the LORD has avenged you today of your enemies. The hand of the LORD rose against those who came against God's chosen, the anointed of God. We who are in Christ Jesus are under a covenant relationship through his blood. By grace we are saved through faith. (Eph 2:8) As Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, so shall we. (Luke 19:10) The old covenant was under the law, those who transgressed the law, from them blood was required. Blood was the payment for sins. Jesus bled for our sins, this is the new covenamt in His blood. We are cleansed by His blood. We seek not vengence, but restoration.
2 Sam 18:32 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.
2 Sam 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!
It was as he had feared, the sins of Absalom had brought death to his son. Sin brings death; the devil takes advantage through sin and there is still the law of sowing and reaping.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
David retired to his chamber, on the wall of the city between the two gates. We have two gates to choose from, one is the broad way that leads to destruction. Absalom passed through this gate to death and hell. The other gate is narrow, Jesus is this gate, the way to the Father and to everlasting life.
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
The cry of a father for his son, who has entered into eternity apart from God. Another Father sent his only beloved son for you and me, so that we would not perish. How great is the love of our heavenly Father.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Turn aside to the good news, hear it and receive life everlasting. Jesus is the way to the Father and all spiritual blessings.
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Duty and shame
2 Sam 19:1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
2 Sam 19:2 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.
The weeping was one man for his son. Nothing is said about the mother's and father's of the 20,000 who were slain in battle. The king mourned over his son, and others had lost their sons because of the stubborn hard hearted Absalom.
This is similar to the story of God's plagues on Egypt, because of the king's hard heart.
Exo 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
Exo 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
2 Sam 19:3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
David made his loyal soldiers feel shame, because of his actions. It is a sad thing to feel shame as a soldier after putting your life on the battlefield for king and country. A self indulgent generation in America made the returning soldiers from Viet Nam feel shame instead of giving them praise.
2 Sam 19:4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
Perhaps David was feeling guilty for his own life before his children. Crying will not bring Absalom back, what is done is done. What was outward mourning could have been a heart that was aware of it's own failings.
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