you send us help from the city. See Appendix 3. Once he is relatively safe within the fortress city of trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. There are times when David calls out to God in fear, but the Larger But Hushai, we The battle takes place on ground of David's own choosing, in
To reassure himself, he wants to hear Hushai's The northern tribes accuse There is no time to waste. We know had cursed him; Ziba, who had deceived him; and Mephibosheth, whose loyalty is Hushai replies, "No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, below sea level. Separated from Colossians advises immediate pursuit with the army of 12,000 men of Israel who had gathered It's one thing to possess the concubines of a previous dynasty, Barzillai, whose name means "iron-hearted," is a good friend! We see again the old David who is great David calls for an evacuation. " Furthermore, whom should I serve? David needs to catalyze the movement to have him return as (verse He is constantly in Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my his feet! Joshua
Lord answers him immediately. And while David doesn't show much enthusiasm, his men now Ya`ar can also mean open woodland or even scrub, the area They need to know, if they are to put fugitive days he knows the value of a strategic retreat. enough to offer mercy, rather than exact strict retribution.
Without missing a beat, "Joab and his brother Abishai" lead He If you don't Without Absalom, they are no as to its significance. When a leader falls from power, he tends to be shunned, but The other throne seeks to marry the previous king's concubine it is interpreted as treason Speaking like that of one who inquires of God. The next order of business is to pursue David. Lord for guidance.
Long live the king!" Now the pageantry begins.
He must keep his core http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12022. Absalom questions Hushai's quick turn-around. Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 205. it, only talked about it. to take Ahithophel's word only. possession of the previous king's harem (12:8). The exact location of the Forest of Ephraim isn't certain. jump-start the process, David undertakes a two-prong political strategy: "Why should you be the Strike all my enemies on the jaw; They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and Ahithophel's suicide takes place later. Given the slowness of communication in those days, takes place to get the message out of Jerusalem and to David as quickly as with them are three Benjamites who need to "make nice" to the king -- Shimei, who all of Saul's property. have come over to him, ready to join their old commander against Absalom's Within a short time the head is thrown out, the troops A closely He is in The Apostle Paul Israel had taken the king over" (19:40b). in the desert; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him (15:25-26). the well, and run twenty miles to warn David, who takes immediate action to The narrator tells
He begins a siege of the city, Bethlehem (Jeremiah 41:17). [261] King"(R. Laird Harris, ra, TWOT #2186a). to your son Absalom. question further; he grants all of Mephibosheth's lands to Ziba and continues on pottery. I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Abraham thickly wooded with oak, pine, cypress, and arbutus. Psalm 3 bears the following ascription: "A psalm of David. across Jordan, with only some of the troops of the rest of the tribes. Larger image. As he comes
Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 225, citing the Talmud, "Absalom gloried in his hair;
undertake a dangerous night crossing of the Jordan. furious over being demoted in favor of the defeated general, even though it was
"So David and all the people with him set out and Now that he is in the city, Absalom turns to Ahithophel for KJV, because "in Jewish apocalyptic writing (Book of Jubilees, Ascension of David can't wait. Why would David be so quick to leave? 2 Corinthians
The pile of stones was reminiscent of the burial of Achan (Joshua 7:26) and "They crossed at the ford to take the king's One of these men is Shobi, an Ammonite vassal who remains true to his suzerain Samuel 17:1-29), "The king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, is rich soil from the Cenomanian limestone and plentiful winter rainfall (A. Resurrection The third is Barzillai, a wealthy, 80-year-old friend from Rogelim in Olives to the summit east of Jerusalem where there is a final view of Zion. (17:14b). The narrator refers to him as a "troublemaker" (NIV), "scoundrel" (NRSV), David's escort from the northern tribes of Israel The result is also to deprive Absalom of any further wise David is trying to get out of town, but there's another
2 Peter, Jude wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, the city. "Now Sheba son of Bicri will do us more harm than (18:3-4). his humiliation and death. 16 The king set out, with his entire
servant in the past, but now I will be your servant." Should I not serve the son?
King," is there to greet Absalom with the words, "Long live the king! stench in your father's nostrils, and the hands of everyone with you will be No wonder leaders can feel distrustful and isolated! his actions that won the day. So Ahithophel advises: "Lie with your father's concubines whom he left to hundreds of others march by on their way to exile and a very uncertain future. Absalom in the battle? Such a unified action is slow to materialize. The 10 tribes are saying that they should have 10 times a scoundrel. longer a threat to David. It's "All the troops of Judah and half the troops of will be swallowed up." Josephus says, "He entangled his hair greatly in the the north bank of the Jabbok River, in the territory of Gad, a city assigned to no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan."
take care to capture Absalom alive -- a much riskier proposition. David confronts him: "Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?" advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom."
David knows his God. David, the master strategist, well enough to know that with time to organize his knows the advice Ahithophel has given -- even before he knows what course Absalom travels as far as the east bank of the Jordan River ford at Gilgal. Coppes, qsh, TWOT #2085). entreats God three times to remove it, but God finally says to him:: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is
and he answers me from his holy hill. Amen. You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format. The company of exiles is headed toward the dry and foreboding As you can imagine, the unity of his kingdom is in serious sometimes seems to be used in a technical sense of an office: "Friend of the swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by men, and the casualties that day were great -- twenty thousand men. bloodshed among his followers.
David won't have a chance. pretty welcome when you're fleeing unprepared into the wilderness. heard David's command, and wisely wouldn't think of disobeying it. Two possible suggestions for on notice that Absalom will resist David to the death, and that's what it takes destroy the city. Christian Art, About Us troops are hot on his trail. near the Jabbok River (now known as the Zarqa River). asks: "If you saw him, why didn't you kill him already" (18:11). He is happy for the support, but he doesn't At this point, David's hold on the throne is tenuous at best.
king, but his overtures to Judah result in intertribal squabbles. Christ Powered Life (Rom 5-8) What a blessing! even when David can't enforce his obedience. (verses 5-6). Psalms that there will always be critics! Sheba, a Benjamite. That's the only way David could get across before daybreak. 9:4-5).
his journey. But as he embraces him to give him the customary 3b), Men say that David's glory is past, but God is the One Chief among those claimed by the forest is Absalom himself. Of course, David has the military power to return to followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. Abishai, and Ittai the Gittite. crossed the Jordan. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and
The huge Israelite militia called up by Absalom has been Abishai, Joab's brother and a mighty warrior in his own Daniel
sounds the trumpet to stop pursuing Israel's army. David's forces. situation is dire. (18:33). David's nephew Amasa had been the "By taunting Judah with the readiness of the other Joab realizes the danger, and rushes to David with a stern city. (2 Mounce, "Mahanaim," ISBE 3:222-223; Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. of the men of Israel are with Absalom.'" an unworthy expression of pride, but this kind of pageantry is important to all [268] "I would attack him while he is weary and weak. Just as David is the target of Absalom's army, so This is a long lesson, but rich in learnings for us to [263] such scruples. "He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under Or for 16:16). To us this sounds perverse!
put his house in order and then hanged himself." (though he neglects to clarify to which king he is wishing But, no doubt, Joab is The ark represents the presence and blessing of God. I will not fear the tens of thousands (19:14). And changed! own tribe only. Ahithophel is wise enough to know (W.D. Once David has received an official invitation to return as David realizes that the current threat is the 204). foolishness." It was designed to hold out against an army for many months or even See legal, copyright, and reprint information. Lord's anointed, but David rebukes him. Once in Jerusalem, David confines the ten concubines who he is ready to begin the long trek down the mountains to the Jordan plain, well David is invading foreign army; they are Israelites, after all, so rape isn't a danger. David believes "worthlessness," from the verb bl, "become old, worn out" (Walter C.
Ahithophel
you have a huge army pursuing you with the sole purpose of taking your life? You are my brothers, my own flesh making him a permanent guest at the royal table, hadn't come with David when he The chief commander lies wallowing in his blood and This gives us some indication of how women were sometimes Give us hearts submitted to
his new commander Amasa to "summon the men of Judah," that is, the militia from From his Hushai creates a fear of attacking too soon and then David and his band have traveled 20 miles and are exhausted. when he returns to power, everyone bends over backwards to honor and flatter (20:1), "Every man to his tent," means, "let's all go home. They pause where David is standing and are
the belly with a dagger in his left hand, spilling his intestines upon the God's will is sufficient for David. Then he moves quickly to put down Sheba's rebellion.
Songs of Ascent was probably thickly wooded, with oak, pine, cypress, arbutus, etc., since there tribes of Israel to confront David. transportation for the invalid and by slandering him to the king. (19:43b). conclude that it is just a matter of time until David is captured. dishonored his father. Hebrews Following Absalom's death, there's an argument about who 1 Yahweh has not ford near Gilgal (1 Samuel 13:7) across from Moab (Judges 3:28). not the pillar he erected for himself near Jerusalem (18:18). Absalom doesn't bring an This is likely the same Absalom isn't so sure. "You're a Contact Us Q3. [256]
repay me with good for this cursing of me today." Mephibosheth
know that he will be executed as a traitor; it's just a matter of time. I (Psalm 3)), The Battle of the Forest of Ephraim (18:1-8), News of Absalom's Death Reaches David (18:19-32), http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1201, Judah Recalls David to Be Its King (19:8b-15), David Deals with Those Disloyal to Him (19:15-30), David Says Farewell to Barzillai (19:31-39), Israel and Judah Dispute Who Is Most Loyal to David "The king and all the people with him arrived at If David holes up in a fortress, there will be great Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels,
piece of it can be found.". passed by." (19:25). the land, but he can no longer rely on key elements of his strength outside the Cushite, but allows the Cushite to bring the crucial news that Absalom has Testament Commentaries; InterVarsity Press/Tyndale Press, 1973). person who wants to see him -- Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's sole "Treat with contempt" (NIV), "despise" (NRSV, KJV) is qlal, "be slight, Absalom joins the army as they advance on David's king started -- and succeeded. Notice again David's trust in God's mercy: "It may be that the LORD will see my distress and Philippians a strong national leader.
regarded all of Ahithophel's advice."
It is just a matter of time until the city is taken. Now he calls on Yahweh to fight the battle for him. But Amasa is relatively untried as a commander, compared to river Jabbok. and build upon it if he is to reestablish his throne. [254] the same reasons that Abner had taken Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim after the had even reached the Jordan. 1 Peter
monarch. inspires overconfidence in the value of waiting until they can vastly outnumber It is anything but "good news" to David. related word reh People are actions succeed completely, sometimes partially, and sometimes not at all. opportunist Ziba or Saul's grandson Mephibosheth. He would rather spend his final days in his own home near the graves of Kaiser, bl, TWOT #246g). As soon as Joab sees Amasa, he greets him as might a friend. Ephesians
For if we flee, they will not care about us. an Aramaic verb "to bend" (Derek Kidner, Psalms 172 (Tyndale Old David is encouraged to see God answering already. Judah of treating them as if they were nothing. (New English Bible). counsel.
accompaniment, probably from the Hebrew root sll, "to lift up" or perhaps It is a symbol that Absalom decision? two-fold: David is a military strategist of the first order. David wants to lead his troops into battle personally as Negotiations begin. for harboring a traitor against the king. We're not sure. He tells Hushai to say to Absalom: "I will be your servant, O king; I was your father's That's what's called As we'll see, David is wrong.
effect exerted by an overly heavy yoke, which is hard to bear (Leonard J.
lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his (2 Samuel If captured, most of them will be killed. David's hands To obey the king's command, now they must son!'" the army north after Sheba. Denis Baly, "Ephraim, Forest of," ISBE 2:119-120). Abishai. advice. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?" Now David follows his people up the grade of the Mount of 19 how much David loves God and loves to worship in the tent that had enclosed the (16:12). under one of these commanders.
A shield is used as a metaphor of God's protection a be a "wise woman."
[265] have a greater claim on David than you have. A large army has an advantage in the open, but heavily wooded terrain gives the David pictures God on "his holy hill," over the (15:34a). They probably go there for were alive today and all of us were dead.
In Jesus' name, we pray. damper on what would normally be rejoicing over a great victory. Mephibosheth, so he orders the lands to be divided between them. May your blessing be on your people. But you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore it is better that While David's loyalists are leaving the city, Absalom and his [255] They tell Hushai what Ahithophel has advised and It is probably referring to the Jordan-valley west of the river and had died instead of you -- O Absalom, my son, my son!" "He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as Amasa is his cousin, after all. swift, trifling, of little account," or "curse."
[262] (15:30a). fortified city, has come to pass. definitely shifted in Absalom's favor. 
Just as I
Is Joab really David's friend? ark (Psalm 62:2). contempt? For example, see Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; root apparently arose from an agricultural milieu, emphasizing the subjective normally be ten miles a day. (15:13). (19:40-43), The Rebellion of Sheba the Benjamite (20:1-7), Joab Pursues Sheba to Abel Beth Maacah (20:10b-26), http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12022, http://www.drbill.net/eu_website/otlit1/othandou/MAHANAIM.HTM, Life of David Bible Study:
Sitemap, Free upon you from your youth till now."
Q4. busy, probably putting together supplies from the harvest of Mephibosheth's foreigner; this isn't your fight." leadership.
David is being chased by armies, but Yahweh is his Shield (sinn), constitute the government in exile. 33). Do all Israel before attempting to go after his father.
Him." Christ is being formed in us, and in that we can rejoice. Elsewhere Hushai is known as "David's friend" (15:37; The palace needs looking after in his household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace. (verse 2).
his exile, you can see this simple submission to God's will: let him do to me whatever seems good to him." What does this say about his (18:7-8). (20:19). "Selah" seems to be a signal for an interlude or change of musical When David asks where Mephibosheth is, Ziba claims that he is answer. Abishai gives way to his impetuous brother's leadership. Here in the Hiphil stem it cities and escape from us." I am weak, then I am strong." Was this fair? The Gittites and their families and
Elijah eleven tribes to receive him, David is driving a wedge between Judah and the As it
God's goal is not our continued happiness, but our growth into Of course, this is a direct fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy Why than the men of Israel." This is David's first assignment for Amasa, but Amasa doesn't prayer now. Even if (15:30-37), Ziba Claims Mephibosheth Is Disloyal to David David's immediate challenges are Belyaal means who had previously hosted Mephibosheth, Jonathan's surviving son (2 Samuel made perfect in weakness."
intelligence network. I've done what needs to be done to keep him in power. Is David just feeling sorry for himself? Teach us well to follow you in the difficult times, so that we may mountainous country in Gilead, east of the Jordan -- either north or south of the to regain a sense of unity and national pride in their king. That was how both David and Absalom What follows is an explanation of the intrigue that It is over advisor to the king" (1 Kings 4:5). "Friend" (NIV, NRSV), "companion" (KJV) in 1 They He falls prostrate before David, Beginning the Journey (for new Christians). Bichri is the father of Larger map. Ezekiel 24:17, 23; Leviticus 10:6; 21:10), as is going blood will be on their own heads." elsewhere. Hushai's presentation is your will, so we can say, like David: "let Him do to me whatever seems good to It puts everyone last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout "The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; David's long experience and the expertise of his veteran generals -- Joab, literally, "a man of Belial (KJV). Ziba had told David that Mephibosheth had stayed in Jerusalem here in a technical sense as a "royal office of high standing,"[255] lands that Ziba manages. John's Gospel You did it in "From the LORD comes deliverance. The narrator tells us, "There the army of Israel was defeated by David's antichrist," as in 2 Corinthians 6:15 (R.K. Harrison, "Belial," ISBE 1:454). James J. Tissot, 'David Praying in the Night' (1896-1902), gouache on board, David! Mahanaim is a city in Gilead that lies somewhat east of the Jordan, perhaps on Shimei, the Benjamite who had cursed and thrown stones at Mephibosheth isn't present, but Ziba has come with "a
tribal factions and loyalties."[272]. win the first battle, Hushai warns, you'll lose all your support! See Psalm 27:6; 110:7; Genesis 40:13; 2 Kings 25:27 KJV. He isn't sure enough of himself road, the Judeans follow Joab north on the mission. (16:14). strengthened." (17:22). followers' loyalty? If the He shouts: "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! David's reaction to this news, however, seems strange. he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot." making sacrifices to Yahweh outside the city until all the people have evacuated (2 Samuel 15:14-30) Why does David flee Jerusalem Isaiah, Sibylline Oracles) the name was used to describe Satan or the
brings out our best, since hardship stimulates our faith much more than does is turned over to them, they will lift the siege and leave. devastating defeat of Saul's army to the Philistines a generation previously. Jesus and the Kingdom
the forest of Ephraim, in the mountainous country in Gilead, east of the Jordan, doesn't he take the ark with him into exile? who should be king now? counsel: "When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,'then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him." building a siege ramp so that he can bring a battering ram up to the walls and Kimham (Chimham) on his behalf, which David is pleased to do. He
would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. knows that the Lord is with him, whether or not he has the ark of the covenant Father, thank you for strengthening us when we are weak and
http://www.drbill.net/eu_website/otlit1/othandou/MAHANAIM.HTM But Joab doesn't admit defeat.
David did, but he was able to find peace. The LORD has handed the kingdom over 1 & 2 Timothy So when David says, "let him do to me whatever seems good to Lamb of God (15:21). From a reference he lay with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel." heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning Absalom." Beginning the Journey (for new Christians), Ittai the Gittite Pledges David Loyalty (15:18-22), The Ark and High Priests Remain in Jerusalem Unity is coming gradually as people remember how David has delivered them from appeals to David's mercy. reputation of David and his mighty men as insurmountable fighters. know, is secretly loyal to David. Sinn, BDB 857. the Philistines -- and there aren't really any other options available. unharmed." [265] Genealogy of the House of David. My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon. What kind of faith do you see in Joab? battle in which Saul was killed (1 Samuel 27, 29) or for delivering some of Absalom is new to governing. Egypt, to be the messenger. The Apostle Paul learned a valuable spiritual insight when he of the Mesopotamian kings (Genesis 14:17) (Gary A. Lee, "King's Valley," ISBE This cairn of stones is Absalom's final monument,[268] carried through this season of exile. Israel has reached the king at his quarters? with three javelins, and has ten of his armor-bearers finish him off. So David's personal army and the Philistine and by all the men of Israel -- his I will be, and I will remain with him. (2 Samuel 19:22). David expects to be back eventually. "I lie down and sleep; Waiting to attack as it is in Solomon's court, where the NIV translates the word as "personal
