II Samuel Chapter 18
Please read: II Samuel 18 –
David divided his men into three groups to go and fight against the rest of Israel. This meant fighting against their own people, those who had become loyal to Absalom. But David gave one stipulation to the leaders of the three groups and that was to go easy on the man Absalom – his son. When he gave this order all the men heard him say it. Despite the fact that his son was trying to kill him and take over his throne, David was a parent first who loved his son.
“Our children may plunge into the worst of sins, but they are our children still. They may scoff at our God; they may tear our heart to pieces with their wickedness; we cannot take complacency in them, but at the same time we cannot unchild them, nor erase their image from our hearts.” [Spurgeon]
David declared that he would fight with them, but his men did what loyal men should do and told him they would not let him fight. They wanted to protect the life of their leader. David agreed to stay behind.
Let's Reflect
1. The men of Israel suffered a great loss from the armies of David. How many men were killed in battle?
2. In their haste to escape the men of David, many ran into a forest that was thick with briars and brush. They probably tripped or got caught in the briars and became easy targets for the men of David. They possibly even fell into holes in the forest that caused their deaths as well. One victim of the forest was Absalom. His long, thick, beautiful hair got caught up in the briary branches of an oak tree. When his hair got caught what happened to Absalom?
3. Joab became angry when he heard the report of one of David’s men having seen Absalom but had left him alive. What did Joab do against David’s orders?
4. This man knew that he would have been blamed had he taken Absalom’s life. Joab would have kept honor for himself and blamed him in front of the king. He also said that he would not have accepted Joab’s gift had he really offered a gift for taking Absalom’s life. What did Joab say he would have given had the man taken Absalom’s life?
5. Joab’s armor bearers were not going to let him take sole responsibility for the killing of Absalom. What did they also do to Absalom?
6. The victory trumpet was blown; Absalom was buried and now it was time to report the news to David. What order did Joab give to the runners that ran ahead to give David the news?
7. The second runner gave the bad news to David without saying it directly. What was the response of David when he learned his son was killed in the battle?
