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.
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.
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.
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.
15. And ten young men that bare Joab’s armor 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.
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.
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!
Golden Text: “The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Ps. 1:6.
Note.—For a record of the events leading up to this battle read chapters 16 and 17. About three months intervened between the occupation of Jerusalem by Absalom and his tragic death at the hand of Joab. During this time David had numbered his adherents and thoroughly organized his army. This delay had been occasioned by the counsel of Hushai, David’s friend. In answer to David’s prayer (chapter 15:31) the counsel of Ahithophel had been brought to naught. Absalom had also been busy during this time in rallying the people to his standard. But his superiority of numbers counted for nothing when pitted against the trained heroes of David under the direction of his experienced generals. In addition to this, God was not with him. Majorities are not necessarily divine agencies. However loud the profession, however large the following, however flattering the prospects, ultimate failure is certain if God is not in the move.
Suggestive Questions.
(1) Near the close of the battle what happened to Absalom? Verse 9. Note 1. (2) What report was brought to Joab? Verse 10. (3) How did Joab reproach the news bearer? Verse 11, first part. (4) What recompense and honor did Joab say he would have received? Verse 11, last part. (5) What reply did the man make? Verse 12, first part. (6) What reason did he give for not taking Absalom’s life? Verse 12, last part. (7) How did he show that he understood the character of Joab? Verse 13. Note 2. (8) What did Joab himself then do? Verse 14. Note 3. (9) How was the battle brought to a close? Verse 16. (10) What was done with the body of Absalom? Verse 17. Note 4. (11) What was David’s first concern on hearing tidings from the battle? Verse 32, first clause. Note 5. (12) Give the messenger’s answer? Verse 32, last clause. (13) How did the king receive this news? Verse 33. (14) What wish did he express? Ibid. Note 6.
Notes.
1. His head caught hold of the oak.—Josephus says that Absalom’s hair became entangled in the branches of the tree, while others claim that his neck was caught in the forked boughs, and that he hung there, stunned and helpless.
2. Wouldest have set thyself against me.—This man understood the character of Joab. He was a skilled general, but cunning and treacherous. The records of David’s wars furnish instances of the manifestations of these characteristics on the part of Joab; and he was the only one of the king’s followers who felt able in himself to disregard with impunity the wishes of his sovereign; but this Joab did in several instances.
3. It is quite evident that Joab considered his act a necessity to the future stability of the kingdom. So long as Absalom lived, there would continue to exist the danger of future insurrections, and he was determined to forestall any such possibility, even though his method of procedure was in defiance of express commands. He had before dictated to David when he considered the king’s administration of affairs faulty. See 2 Sam. 12:27, 28.
4. Laid a . . . heap of stones upon him.—This is supposed to have been done to express their detestation of Absalom’s memory, as this custom is known to exist among some of the peoples of the east. This is the fate of one who had sought by unholy means to elevate himself at the expense of God’s people. We have another instance of this kind in the death of Haman. It may also be typical of the ultimate result of the conspiracy and rebellion in heaven.
5. Is . . . Absalom safe?—A touching illustration of a fond parent’s solicitude for the course of a wayward, erring child.
6. Would God I had died for thee.—David’s anguish is made the keener from his knowledge of Absalom’s wicked course and unrepenting character. David knew the terrible consequence of Absalom’s act, knew that nothing could avert it, and that if he, who had made his peace with God, had died in Absalom’s place, Absalom might have repented and still found favor in the sight of God. Although David’s grief was great when the son of Bathsheba died, it could not be compared with this; for Absalom’s sun had sunk in rayless night, while of the other he could say, “I shall go to him.”
