2 Samuel 18 - Absalom's Defeat and Death | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church
The Bible by David Alley · David Alley
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Show Notes
In this video listen to 2 Samuel Chapter 18, read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In 2 Samuel Chapter 18 the battle between David’s army and Absalom’s army happens in the forest of Ephraim across the Jordan. It makes much more sense for a smaller army like David’s to fight in a forest. This makes it hard to mobilise troop movements for the enemy and becomes more like guerilla warfare. David's men were experienced fighters and having the enemy spread out all around the place made it easier to defeat them, despite them being numerically disadvantaged.
Plus, the Lord was fighting for David as we shall see. As Absalom was riding his hair became entangled in an oak tree and he was left hanging in mid air as his mule rode on. Deuteronomy 21:23 says “cursed is anyone who is hung on a tree.” This highly coincidental act was not coincidental, the Lord had put Absalom under a curse. He was going to be the third of four of David’s sons who would die in accordance with the prophecy from Nathan the prophet in 2 Samuel 7-8.
When David’s commander Joab saw Absalom - he speared him to death. Then they buried him and heaped stones on his body. According to the law a man who dishonoured his father was to be stoned. Absalom is symbolically stoned here. With the leader gone, all Israel fled back home. They had backed the wrong horse. This chapter mentions a pillar of Absalom which existed previously. This is not the same “pillar of Absalom” which is there today. Today’s pillar is a tomb which dates to the 1st century AD, but this refers to a more ancient monument.
The pillar spoken of here is mentioned in the copper scroll discovered at Qumran as one of the locations of treasure. When news of Absalom’s death reached David, he mourned and said ““My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!” This is a picture of Christ who loved those that rebelled against him.
Christ does weep for those who hate him, and he does die for those who hate him, and they still have hardened hearts.