2 Samuel 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. 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.
The verse marks the defeat and slaying of Absalom at the end of his rebellion against his father David. Absalom was David's own son, loved above all his children, yet ambitious and lacking benevolence at heart. With remarkable beauty, winning manners, and pretended kindness he stole the hearts of the people, and by intrigue, deceit, and crime he sought to seize the kingdom, even ready to repay his father's love and kindness by taking his life. After his followers proclaimed him king in Hebron, he led them out to pursue his father.
While Absalom was still alive and helplessly caught in the midst of the oak, Joab acted without hesitation and thrust three darts through his heart. His death eliminated the instigator of the rebellion and ended the revolt.
This unnatural warfare arising inside David's own house and family brought David great distress, partly because Absalom was his beloved son. It confused and weakened his calm judgment, destroyed his former skill and courage, humbled him, and sent him fleeing from Jerusalem to save his life. The rebellion was the bitter fruit of David's own wrongdoing and fulfilled the predicted consequences of his sin, keeping the injustice done to Uriah and Bath-sheba continually before his mind. It followed the pattern in which Amnon committed a great crime and Absalom avenged it by killing him.