The Death of Absalom

2 Sam 18:1-33

Finally, today we came to the battle between neighbours, as David‘s men fought with Absalom‘s. David was already old at this time and his men would not allow him to go to battle, they reckoned that David alone was worth ten thousand men. So David organized the army, putting captains over thousands and hundred men before dividing the groups into three parts. He then put Joab, Abishai and Ittai in charge of the three parts, with stern warnings that for his sake they should deal gently with the young man Absalom.

So, David’s men went against the Israelites, and the people of Israel were slain by David’s servants, up to twenty thousand of them. Absalom tried to ride off on his mule, but his long hair was caught in the thick boughs of a great oak, as his mule ran off with him hanging in the air. One of the men saw this and told Joab, and despite David’s plea, Joab saw to it that Absalom was smitten and slain. Thus an end was brought to Absalom, and his rebellion. Joab sent men to David to deliver the news to him, and here we saw how truly David so loved Absalom, for despite his actions, david wished he were dead in place of his son. As the chapter ends, we see the king mourn the death of his son.

Though God was punishing David for his sins, he did not allow the enemy to prevail over him. Absalom was judged, he was not even able to stand David’s men as much as he thought, he was no match for a man after God’s heart. When we trust God, we can pass through whatever comes our way with hope. He will not allow the enemy or circumstances to overcome us. He will not lay on us much more than we can bear, an in every trial and trouble, he will also provide a way out.

Some verses to remember

vs 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.

vs 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.

vs 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!