2 Samuel 18

2 Samuel 18:1

CIVIL WARDavid wanted to go into battle with his men.

2 Samuel 18:3

The army refused to let David go into battle.

2 Samuel 18:4

This is one of the saddest chapters in David’s life. While the chapter of David’s sin is the most sordid chapter, this is the saddest because it records the death of his son, Absalom. Because they have urged him not to go with them to battle, David takes his place at the side of the gate as the army marches out. It marches out under three leaders: Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. As each of these three captains comes by, David charges him to deal gently with his son. All the army heard him give this order. I think some smiled, but others felt a bit resentful. Absalom would always be a troublemaker, and they would like to eliminate him. David, however, loved his son and did not want him to die. He said to his commanders, “Deal gently with my boy Absalom.” David’s men heard what he said.

2 Samuel 18:6

This was a civil war. It was a terrible thing. We had a civil war in the United States, and we know the sadness of brother fighting brother. David was a strategist and a general, and Absalom did not have anyone in his group who could match David’s ability or the ability of David’s three captains. Therefore, the children of Israel lost the battle.

2 Samuel 18:8

The troops of Absalom became entangled in the woods of Ephraim when they attempted to flee from David’s army. They became bottled in; the forest became the cause of death for many of them rather than the sword. They had picked the wrong place to battle with David.

2 Samuel 18:9

ABSALOM SLAIN BY JOABApparently Absalom’s head got caught in the forks of an oak tree while he was riding his mule through the woods. He was fleeing, by the way; and, when he got caught in the tree, the mule keep right on going, leaving Absalom in quite a predicament. Under other circumstances this incident could be rather humorous. In this case it is not.

2 Samuel 18:11

This man is shocked that Joab would want the prince, the son of David, killed.

2 Samuel 18:12

The soldier said, “The king told us not to touch his son, and if I had done anything to him, you would have punished me yourself.” But Joab did not have time to argue with him. He had a matter of business to take care of immediately.

2 Samuel 18:14

When Absalom was dead, the rebellion was over. Joab had no right to kill Absalom, especially after David had given the command that he was not to be touched. However, he is weary of all the trouble Absalom has caused, and he knows that the death of this boy will end the rebellion.

2 Samuel 18:19

Joab was reluctant to let Ahimaaz bear the news of Absalom’s death to David because he did not have all the necessary information to give the king.

2 Samuel 18:23

DAVID MOURNS FOR ABSALOMThis, now, is one of the most touching scenes in the Word of God. David is sitting in the gate of the city, anxiously waiting for word to be brought to him.

2 Samuel 18:25

David has but one question to ask Ahimaaz, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” But Ahimaaz did not have all of the necessary information to tell the king. He did not know that Absalom was dead. And, friend, there are many messengers running about today telling the human family that God says all is wellbut all is not well. Man is a sinner. He needs a Savior. Man needs to know that the Son of God died on the Cross for him. Man needs to be born again. Ahimaaz did not have the message that David should have received.

2 Samuel 18:31

Notice that David’s first question is about Absalom. His chief concern is not for who won the battle but for the safety of Absalom.

2 Samuel 18:32

Cushi has the correct information. He is gently telling David that Absalom is dead. Then follows David’s mourning for his son. It is the most touching expression of grief in the Bible or in any other literature. It is at this point one feels like saying, “Lord, you have whipped David enough for his sin. Let up on your son David.”