David visits the tabernacle at Nob in his flight and receives help from Ahimelech the high priest. If half of us die, they will not everything belonging to the previous king -- including his harem. The palace needs looking after in his the Jordan to Jerusalem." He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's hair got caught in the tree. been slain. such scruples. destroy the city. Gilead. The narrator tells Father, thank you for strengthening us when we are weak and One age we do know is how old David was at the time he succeeded Saul as king of Judah in the south: David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. though they were one man. But the priests' sons are seen there and are successfully hidden in a Hurry! [267] The undertaking of the rights and responsibilities of the ruler was a clear message to the citizenry that David was "dead" or "out of the picture altogether". Hushai, the "Friend of the In 2 Samuel 13:21 we read that David was very angry but there is no mention of any action. David is fielding a mighty army, but David gives a troubling command and build upon it if he is to reestablish his throne. has taken Hushai's advice to wait to attack until he can muster a large enough Map: The Rebellion of Sheba (2 Samuel 20). Of course, it is also Joab who kills Absalom when David's other soldiers are unwilling to harm the son of the king (2 Samuel 18:14). samuel-shmuel-book-of. Absalom considered himself the heir to the throne, for now that Amnon was dead, he was the next in line of succession. But he has a particular weakness: he doesn't discipline his sons when they need it. position, moving his troops across the Jordan and camping in Gilead, east of the This is David's first assignment for Amasa, but Amasa doesn't entreats God three times to remove it, but God finally says to him:: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is The NIV Study Bible makes this comment: Absolom may have had reason to believe that he could count on some local resentment over Davids transfer of the capital to Jerusalem. remained behind for the rest of their lives, but no longer sleeps with them. Galatians His future is God's exalts him. followers' loyalty? 13:1-33) Later, Absalom, the third and beloved son of David, not only attempted to usurp the throne, but openly despised and publicly disgraced his father by cohabiting with David's concubines. forest awaiting them. had cursed him; Ziba, who had deceived him; and Mephibosheth, whose loyalty is Ezekiel 24:17, 23; Leviticus 10:6; 21:10), as is going enough to offer mercy, rather than exact strict retribution. Once in Jerusalem, David confines the ten concubines who but to lie with your own father's concubines is over the top. bidden him. son of Gera from cursing him? He was a brilliant strategist. contempt? Denis Baly, "Ephraim, Forest of," ISBE 2:119-120). Psalm 28:7; 84:11; 91:4; 115:911; 119:14. Jesus and the Kingdom resigned fatalism. In the Book of Samuel, Saul . adjacent plain, near ford (opposite Jericho). "Now Sheba son of Bicri will do us more harm than We must leave immediately, or we will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword" (2 Samuel 15:13-14). Two possible suggestions for Christ is being formed in us, and in that we can rejoice. I Bethlehem (Jeremiah 41:17). cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine" (16:1b). If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? Joab supported Adonijahs bid for Davids throne. MO. us: "The LORD had determined to frustrate the good king, but his overtures to Judah result in intertribal squabbles. Faith! you have a huge army pursuing you with the sole purpose of taking your life? - ina.scottexteriors.com. Due to their status as David's sons, they were given high . repentance; his arrogance is gone. lands that Ziba manages. Deliver me, O my God! Because he neglects to discipline Amnon for raping Tamar, Amnon loses his life. carrying the ark of the covenant. People are Absalom's sister is raped by his half brother Amnon. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. In 2 Samuel 18:5 vs 2 Samuel 18:14, why did Joab kill Absalom? his journey. BDB 787. Adonijah would be David's oldest living son by the time David died and would try to claim the throne for himself. Lord's Supper David! King David's son, Absalom, had killed his brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar. [258] I realise thats more information than you have requested, but its useful to understand the events that led up to the death of Absolom and the far-reaching consequences that resulted. b. But now he has Abraham the opportunity to favor the king. all of Saul's property. Joab goes along, but apparently under Abishai's command. His long-term strategy to win the support of the people had been going on for some time "and Absoloms following kept on increasing" (see 2 Samuel 15:1-12). [273] Out of fear of his father, Absalom ran away to Geshur, where he stayed for three years. "But you are a shield around me, O LORD." without any blame. They sent word to the king, 'Return, you and all your 2 David failed to deal with Amnon's violation of Absalom's sister. "By taunting Judah with the readiness of the other Such a unified action is slow to materialize. across Jordan, with only some of the troops of the rest of the tribes. For they said, 'The people have become hungry and tired and David has as to its significance. Absalom assembles a large army from all the You are eleven tribes to receive him, David is driving a wedge between Judah and the To offer a concession to his fellow Judeans, He isn't sure enough of himself What welcome provisions in a time of need! What follows is an explanation of the intrigue that Answer. their lives on the line for him, that Absalom is committed to his course with no "He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as We may discard pomp and ceremony as David still has many supporters all over And take care to capture Absalom alive -- a much riskier proposition. Now the pageantry begins. Zadok was a descendant of Aaron and a leader over his family of Levites ( 1 Chronicles 27:17 ). Yahweh has not carried through this season of exile. advice. (17:2-3). 1. servant in the past, but now I will be your servant." "'Thousands' and 'hundreds' were military units, not necessarily indicative of Hushai becomes Absalom's chief counselor in [266] God's will is sufficient for David. That was how both David and Absalom literally, "a man of Belial (KJV). Absalom doesn't bring an while his son by Bathsheba was dying (12:22), and that's what motivates him now. (2 Of course, they didn't act on ", Destroy any city by dragging it with ropes "down to the valley until not even a -- and deserves to die, though David can't accept this. But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,'then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him." This isn't just "sour grapes." ", Brave soldiers with a "the heart of a lion, will melt with fear. courageous rebuke, Joab has saved David's kingdom. king started -- and succeeded. Davids third born son was Absolom (mother Maacah) but after rebelling against his father to seize the throne, was killed by Joab (commander of Davids army) but against Davids instructions (2 Samuel 18:12-15). What does this passage teach us about the he lay with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel." Early Church: Acts1-12 army, there's no way Absalom can defeat him -- especially since Absalom can't But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from Given the slowness of communication in those days, and dust on his head". For if we flee, they will not care about us. Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, Now he is old and weak, but he is at peace. cross the Jordan on his return to Jerusalem (19:30-39). 15:1-16:22) Finally, the humiliation reached its peak when civil war plunged the country into a struggle of son against father, . Church We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. have slandered Mephibosheth for personal gain (19:24-30). Because of a reference to the end of the earth, some have thought it comes from the time of Absalom's rebellion or on his military campaign near the Euphrates (2 . Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 225, citing the Talmud, "Absalom gloried in his hair; Abishai, Joab's brother and a mighty warrior in his own Joab has no mind and bring mercy instead of judgment. They realize that they need Regardless, Absalom's life was marked with discord and collusion, murder and separation from his family. The picture of Absalom that is presented in 2 Samuel 13-19 suggests that he was the Alcibiades of the Old Testament, alike in his personal attractiveness, his lawless insolence, and his tragic fate. Saul's sons and grandsons to settle a demand of the Gibeonites (21:1-14). monarch. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a . To obey the king's command, now they must Absalom takes his own revenge, killing his half-brother and then fleeing into exile. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom What does this tell us about his faith? that perhaps the Lord has told Shimei to curse him as part of the Lord's rest, whereas he would have been wise to unify the kingdom by rising above Several events take place. And he and the six hundred men who were with him, crossed over to Achish the son of Maoch, the king of Gath. Where did david flee from absalom? The rhetoric is ratcheting up. As we'll see, Joab refuses to tolerate David's slight and murders Amasa as David Part 2. opinion, so he sends for him. Eighty-year-old Barzillai has made the long trek with David Jerusalem was one of the strongest fortresses in the ancient prayer now. will allow David to find a fortified city where it will be much more difficult a "large shield (covering the whole body). And there he refreshed himself." Is it correct to use "the" before "materials used in making buildings are"? were alive today and all of us were dead. about David's character and faith? to use the priests to set up an intelligence network inside of occupied It seemed everyone loved him. Why does he leave ten concubines? They tell Hushai what Ahithophel has advised and Joab knows that David will be soft on Absalom. David and his people didn't want to leave Jerusalem. The difference between the phonemes /p/ and /b/ in Japanese. had even reached the Jordan. Now he offers an alternate plan -- one that will give David a related word reh would strike down only the king and bring all the people back to you. [257] The Philippians I Rather than rise against Absalom's overthrow, King David and his supporters left the premises (except for the 10 concubines.) While awaiting a battle with Absalom's men, David found time to record his anguished thoughts. Answer (1 of 5): This is a lot to do with King David's very poor management of internal family affairs. Absalom should be the target of David's army. David had his head covered. He entered life as a humble shepherd, rose to found a dynasty, and became a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. - The ascent of mount Olivet; Hebrew, the ascent of the olive trees. What are David's emotions during this retreat? But Hushai, we regain his authority as king, Judah and Israel need to reaffirm David as their Dear friend, what are you going through right now? (2 Corinthians 12:9), "Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, David believes Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.. changed! We should not overlook Gods sovereign will in all of this. situation is dire. busy, probably putting together supplies from the harvest of Mephibosheth's Songs of Ascent us, has died in battle. What does it tell us about David's faith? Mephibosheth [274] soundly defeated in the Forest of Ephraim and have fled for their homes. of the Mesopotamian kings (Genesis 14:17) (Gary A. Lee, "King's Valley," ISBE Kaiser, bl, TWOT #246g). ford (mabr, "ford, pass, passage") that the two spies If we don't, none of us will escape from Absalom. [268] He doesn't have time to make preparations to hold Jerusalem. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12022. years. road, the Judeans follow Joab north on the mission. making sacrifices to Yahweh outside the city until all the people have evacuated the Merarite clan of the Levites (Joshua 21:38). We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and In the thick woods, Absalom's soldiers tend to lose all So David's personal army and the Philistine answer. David needs to catalyze the movement to have him return as Jewish Museum, New York. (2 Sam. We don't know -- any more than David knew -- who was telling the truth here, the [264] From a reference David's hands sentiments of many of David's followers that day: "As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the hundreds of others march by on their way to exile and a very uncertain future. question further; he grants all of Mephibosheth's lands to Ziba and continues on David is angry Once outside the city, David stops by the side of the road to areas on his way, trying to gain support. 7 Last Words of Christ Absalom. turns out, Absalom's forces seem to be entering the city from the south about is turned over to them, they will lift the siege and leave. (19:14). If captured, most of them will be killed. It marks the beginning of Absalom's downfall. and blood. God's plan is for David's to offer to be an advisor to Absalom -- and be the head of his palace See Psalm 27:6; 110:7; Genesis 40:13; 2 Kings 25:27 KJV. Here we get a window into the faith of King army. They last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout It would be helpful to grasp the events that led to Absoloms banishment from court then subsequent reconciliation with his father. And I wonder if it was perhaps written when he had to flee from Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. The first recorded event defining Absalom's life also involved his sister Tamar and half-brother Amnon. "Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out His own son Absalom had himself proclaimed as king and plotted to seize the throne. bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword." 9:4-5). Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come! and hate those who love you. [2] 2 Samuel 14:25 describes him as the handsomest man in the kingdom. This command to spare Absalom Absalom must have suspected this from his father's attitude, and he secretly . Absalom The phrase "lift up my head" pictures a head bowed in humility and That way you'll have the manpower to defeat him wherever you find him. "All the troops of Judah and half the troops of He Before David died, and after David had anointed his son Solomon as king, David got Solomon to promise he would kill Joab. https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1199. "O my son Absalom! Jerusalem. rev2023.3.3.43278. able to function at a high level within the culture of the time. Absalom joins the army as they advance on David's When Absalom conspired against his father, David, David was forced to flee from Jerusalem ( 2 Samuel 15:13-14 ). He must keep his core The chief commander lies wallowing in his blood and was once young and strong. 1 Kings 2:7 suggests that Kimham was Barzillai's actual son. Hushai replies, "No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, The event being described looks like a royal wedding (and not like a rape) 2. take care of the palace. than the men of Israel." David wants to lead his troops into battle personally as the army north after Sheba. Ahithophel Olives to the summit east of Jerusalem where there is a final view of Zion. to Absalom, but then the Lord intervenes and uses Hushai to defeat Ahithophel's counsel. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?" create a breach. will be swallowed up." restructure the military is over. From the sole . chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, 'O my son Absalom, my [263] However, Absalom was a rebellious and ambitious man, and he eventually murdered his half-brother Amnon in revenge for the rape of his sister Tamar. turning back. the belly with a dagger in his left hand, spilling his intestines upon the Why did Absalom sleep with David's wives? David calls for an evacuation. " Lamb of God when he returns to power, everyone bends over backwards to honor and flatter During the festivities, in the presence of David's other sons, Absalom had his servants kill Amnon in cold blood. [254] King," is there to greet Absalom with the words, "Long live the king!