Joab Murders Absalom
December 10, 2021
Commentary
David had great military strength. He organized his men carefully so every group had a clear duty and purpose. He divided his army into three groups and placed them under the command of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai the Gittite (vv. 1–5). David wanted to go into battle with them, but the soldiers warned him that he would be a main target for Absalom’s men. They feared losing him would break the army’s spirit and weaken their courage. They told him, “You are worth 10,000 of us.” David agreed and stood by the Mahanaim city gate as thousands of his troops marched out. As they passed, David gave his final command to the leaders to be gentle with Absalom, showing his love as a father despite Absalom’s rebellion and pride.
The battle took place ‘in the forest’ of the hill country of Ephraim (vv. 6–8). David’s army fought against Absalom’s men, who suffered heavy losses – 20,000 men. The Lord played an important role in their defeat. The forest itself caused more deaths than the sword, reminding us that nothing happens by chance when God is in control. He can carry out His plans, even in chaos.
This truth is clearly seen in Absalom’s death (vv. 9–18). While riding his mule, Absalom’s head became caught in the thick branches of a large tree, and the mule left him hanging. A soldier reported this to Joab, who questioned why Absalom was not killed. The man replied that no reward could make him disobey the king’s command to be gentle with Absalom. Joab chose to act on his own judgment. He struck Absalom in the heart with three javelins, and ten of his young armor-bearers finished killing him.
Application
As I think about this truth today, I ask how I am being shaped now. Am I depending only on my background, or choosing daily to grow in faith? Do I welcome loving correction and discipline? How can I practice obedience and good character today? Who is guiding me now, and what small step can I take today?
2 Samuel 18:1–18 (NET)
1 David assembled the army that was with him. He appointed leaders of thousands and leaders of hundreds. 2 David then sent out the army—a third under the leadership of Joab, a third under the leadership of Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under the leadership of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the troops, “I too will indeed march out with you.”
3 But the soldiers replied, “You should not do this! For if we should have to make a rapid retreat, they won’t be concerned about us. Even if half of us should die, they won’t be concerned. But you are like 10,000 of us! So it is better if you remain in the city for support.” 4 Then the king said to them, “I will do whatever seems best to you.”
5 The king gave this order to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake deal gently with the young man Absalom.” Now the entire army was listening when the king gave all the leaders this order concerning Absalom.
6 Then the army marched out to the field to fight against Israel. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. 7 The army of Israel was defeated there by David’s men. The slaughter there was great that day—20,000 soldiers were killed. 8 The battle there was spread out over the whole area, and the forest consumed more soldiers than the sword devoured that day.
9 Then Absalom happened to come across David’s men. Now as Absalom was riding on his mule, it went under the branches of a large oak tree. His head got caught in the oak and he was suspended in midair, while the mule he had been riding kept going.
10 When one of the men saw this, he reported it to Joab saying, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.” 11 Joab replied to the man who was telling him this, “What! You saw this? Why didn’t you strike him down right on the spot? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a commemorative belt!”
12 The man replied to Joab, “Even if I were receiving 1,000 pieces of silver, I would not strike the king’s son! In our very presence the king gave this order to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’ 13 If I had acted at risk of my own life —and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.”
14 Joab replied, “I will not wait around like this for you!” He took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the middle of Absalom while he was still alive in the middle of the oak tree. 15 Then ten soldiers who were Joab’s armor-bearers struck Absalom and finished him off.
16 Then Joab blew the trumpet and the army turned back from chasing Israel, for Joab had called for the army to halt. 17 They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and stacked a huge pile of stones over him. In the meantime all the Israelite soldiers fled to their homes.
18 Before this Absalom had set up a monument and dedicated it to himself in the King’s Valley, reasoning, “I have no son who will carry on my name.” He named the monument after himself, and to this day it is known as Absalom’s Memorial.
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