DBG - April 13 - II Samuel 18-19

In this chapter Absalom is defeated and killed in battle.

vs. 1-5 – David’s battle plan revolves around dividing his forces into thirds under independent commands of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He is prevented from going to battle himself by his generals. David is getting older now and not in his prime. He likely would have been the sole target of attack for Absalom, so removing him from the field may have given them a tactical edge.  David’s one request, heard by all the people, was that Absalom should be shown mercy.

vs. 6-8 – The name of the battlefield likely comes from an earlier battle there in Judges 12:4. The terrain was forested, hilly, and with many pits and crevices. From a tactical standpoint, the divided command of David’s army was better able to deal with the confusion of the battle than the unified command of Absalom’s forces under Amasa. Verse 8 appears to refer to the confused retreat through the woods as Absalom was driven from the field.

vs. 9-18 – It is common today to say that Absalom’s hair caught in the tree.  Go back and read vs. 9 carefully.  His head is what is caught, not specifically his hair.  The reason for this misunderstanding is that his hair was mentioned before.  One of David’s men reports to Joab the situation of Absalom. Joab remarks that he would have given him ten shekels (roughly four ounces) of silver if he would have killed him. The man responds that he would not do it for a thousand shekels (roughly twenty-five pounds of silver!). Joab acts quickly before anyone can intervene and strikes him three time with “darts”, which may have been nothing more than pointed sticks. Absalom still lived, though likely mortally wounded. Joab’s men finish him off. Joab signals for his forces to cease their pursuit of the fleeing enemy. The victory was won with the death of Absalom. His manner of death was shameful (Deuteronomy 21:23) and his burial seems to be also, reminiscent of the punishment of a rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:21).  Mention is made of a monument in vs. 18 that Absalom had erected in his lifetime to leave a legacy.  Never did he consider his true legacy that he left behind!

vs. 19-33 - The story of how Ahimaaz and Cushi bear the message to David would almost be comical if in another setting. Ahimaaz left second, without instructions on delivering the news about Absalom, but arrives first. David hears of the victory from him. Cushi then arrives, with the additional message that Absalom had been killed. David’s grief overshadows the victory of the battle.

In this chapter David works to restore the kingdom after Absalom’s defeat.

vs. 1-8 – David’s mourning affects the morale of his men. Instead of celebrating the victory, they mourn it as a loss. It takes a stern word from Joab for him to end his mourning.  Thus ends the rebellion of Absalom.

vs. 9-10 – There is uncertainty above David returning. The people remember the good that he has done for them. Now that Absalom was dead, do they bring David back or seek another?

vs. 11-40 – David makes overtures to his own tribe of Judah, who also seems hesitant to bring David back. Zadok and Abiathar are sent as his emissaries to sway the people and to court Amasa to join him as general, replacing Joab. Judah is moved and David is greeted warmly on his return Notice that David’s actions are not that of a strong monarch here. He is instead cautious careful of his actions as he comes back across Jordan. Shimei, the kinsmen of Saul that had cursed David on his flight from Jerusalem, seeks forgiveness. Abishai wants to kill him, but David spares him, for now at least.  I believe David mishandles the case of Mephibosheth.  I think Ziba’s accusations were not true.  David did not dispense justice in this case, merely a reset to the way it was before.  All that David did for Mephibosheth was revoke the order of 16:4 and restore the agreement of 9:10. Ziba’s plot to usurp his master fails, but he faces no punishment for his actions.  David rewards Barzillai for his support, apparently giving his son Chimham an estate (see Jeremiah 41:17).

vs. 41-43 - The Northern tribes appear to feel slighted in Judah acting alone in reaccepting David and transporting him to Jerusalem. The growing political division what will rupture in about 50 years’ time is apparent here. The kingdom is far from united.

Again, I must emphasize the long range results of sin.  David’s sin with Bathsheba has brought the deaths of three sons (the baby, Amnon, and Absalom).  It brought the humiliation of his daughter Tamar.  It nearly cost him his kingdom in Absalom’s rebellion.  It will cast a shadow over the remaining ten years of his reign.  Then we also not the widening divide between Judah and the other tribes which will cause the kingdom to split in 50 years.  Sadly, we are not done with the fallout.  It is a cautionary tale for us all.  Even the greatest of men – even those mightily used by God – pay high costs for their sins. “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

Our hymn today is a text from the Sacred Harp tradition.  This form of singing gained popularity in the United States in the 1800’s using a shape note system to make it easy to learn.  “David’s Lamentation” is found in two of the most influential songbooks of this genre, The Sacred Harp and William Walker’s Southern Harmony.  It was originally written by William Billings in in  the 1770’s. To really appreciate this style of singing with its use of solfege, I would highly recommend you watch a video such as this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsli4duIUjg

David the king was grieved and moved;
He went to his chamber, his chamber, and wept;
And as he went, he wept and said,
O my son! O my son!
Would to God I had died,
Would to God I had died,
For thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!