Today I read 2 Samuel 18, in which Absalom is killed by Joab and David is told of Absalom’s death. Today I considered that death is expected in battle and messengers need to have information to relay.
Battle and Absalom’s Death
David had his people go to war against Absalom and his people but then cried when Absalom died (2 Samuel 18:1-33). David divided the army into three parts and put the sections under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. The people told him to not go to fight because he would be a target. David commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai to deal gently with Absalom. They fought hard in the wood of Ephraim with 20,000 men dying that day. Absalom was riding a mule and got hung upon an oak. A man told Joab. Joab went there and thrust Absalom through the heart and 10 men with him also struck Absalom. They cast Absalom in a pit and pilled stones on him. Ahimaaz wanted to run and tell David they won but Joab sent Cushi because he had more information than Ahimaaz. Ahimaaz kept asking so Joab let him go, he ran faster than Cushi and made it to tell David first that they won the battle. David asked about Absalom and Ahimaaz didn’t know. David had Ahimaaz stand out of the way. Cushi made it and told David, all David’s enemies rising against him were dead. David cried out weeping for Absalom saying he wish he had died for him.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
David knew Absalom might die that’s why he asked Joab, Abishai, and Ittai to be gentle to Absalom. David’s reaction was strong at the news of Absalom’s death and I considered that maybe it’s because Absalom was not only his son but both beautiful and knew how to win people’s hearts. Absalom probably had charisma. Then I think about Joab who probably felt betrayed. He helped bring Absalom back and now he has to fight Absalom. He also faced losing warriors under him because of Absalom’s revolt. So Joab took the opportunity and killed Absalom, eliminating the threat.
How do you thing the difference in David’s and Joab’s reactions to Absalom’s death will impact their relationship?
Zadok’s son Ahimaaz was so excited wanting to tell the news of the victory. He had previously been running between Zadok and David to relay information. This time he actually didn’t have all the news. He ended up being pushed to the side to so the person with the information could speak. Sometimes, even when is a task we have done before, it’s better to allow the person with more information to do the task. Sometimes even though we are excited we need to hold ourselves back and let someone else tell the full story.