The woman, though aging, was still very beautiful. He loved her deeply. Streaks of silver hair added a touch of royalty to her bowed head. He watched her intently as she moved with the crowd. She was tired. Weary. Yet, she maintained a certain grace even as a few tears fell onto the dirt at her feet. He stayed close by her as they moved through the darkness. Her safety was uppermost in his mind. Solomon held incredible respect for his mother. Bathsheba was his teacher, friend and guide.
Relief overcame him as they approached the sleeping city of Mahanaim. This city was rich with the history of Jacob. God gave the patriarch a vision of an army of angels here, and he wrestled with God just outside the city on his return from Paddan-aram to Canaan (Genesis 32:1-2, 24-29). Reflecting on what God did for Jacob, Solomon knew they would be safe. Mahanaim was the fortress David needed to rest, repair and prepare to meet Absalom. Solomon’s half-brother had amassed an army to make sure the throne remained his.
Solomon could never believe the rebels had a chance. Yet, Absalom was pursuing them. It was a military advance motivated by madness. There would be a fight. Blood would flow. Men would die. Why? His brother Absalom clung to a vile desire to take God’s throne from their father (1 Chronicles 29:23). God would never support his older brother. Neither would he.
Drawing on the wisdom taught him, Solomon knew that a kingdom built on vanity could not long stand. The younger man could well imagine the proud look on his older brother’s face as he crossed the Jordan River in pursuit of their father. Solomon was sure that his brother made the event a real spectacle, with Absalom, of course, as the center of attention.
Solomon stayed close to David and his mother as they entered the city. He never felt greater loyalty toward the king. Solomon knew he had his father’s love and devotion. And the king knew he had his! David spent hours talking with him and teaching him. Solomon treasured the knowledge his father gave him. He appreciated most the king’s religious instruction. David loved God and taught him the same love. Although his father now appeared weak and on the run, Solomon knew he would soon regain his strength. Why? God loved David—He had demonstrated His love many times. God protected David. God would fight this battle.
The young prince was not surprised to see the city officials come out to greet his father. There was Shobi, Machir and Barzillai; three men David had helped in years past. Behind these men were a sea of servants and mules and carts. Solomon was thankful for the bounteous provisions they brought. There were “beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine …” (2 Samuel 17:27-29). The whole band was tired, hungry and thirsty. Only food and sleep would change the somber mood of the king’s following. Solomon understood that war was coming. The time gained was very precious. Plans had to be made. Solomon desired to be there—in the middle of it all—with his father, Israel’s only king.
Battle at Mount Ephraim
David, the master warrior, organized his troops immediately. He reviewed their situation. The coming conflict would not take place in Jerusalem. This was good. Yet, David was discouraged to learn that Amasa, his sister Abigail’s son, had joined with Absalom. Amasa was a real leader. He was made head over the rebel troops (2 Samuel 17:25). Yet, David still had his two other nephews, Joab and Abishai—two top proven military leaders. To add to that number there was also Ittai the Gittite, a faithful and fierce fighter. Even though the warriors of Judah fought for Absalom, thousands had joined David. He set captains of thousands and hundreds over them and split them into thirds (2 Samuel 18:1-2). Joab, Abishai and Ittai each led one of the thirds.
Thanks to Hushai’s advice to Absalom, the battle would take place near the forest of Mount Ephraim. Being out in the open evened out the advantages. The battle could be won. It had to be won! David discussed the battle plans with his three generals. Then David addressed the people just before the battle. For the sake of the nation, a victory had to be won. Summing up with great emotion he said, “I will surely go forth with you myself also” (verse 2). The king intended to fight alongside his people. But they would not hear of it.
With a great outpouring of love the people answered David: “Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city” (verse 3). It was far too dangerous for David to be at the battle. The rebels wanted his life most of all. All agreed that David had to remain behind in the city for protection. The king complied with the people’s wishes but gave a clear command for all to hear.
Near the city gate David commanded his three generals, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom” (verse 5). All the people heard David.
During the battle, Absalom’s troops were slaughtered. Over 20,000 men died at the hands of David’s men (verse 7). Although many of the men died by the sword, many more died because of the rough terrain of Mount Ephraim (verse 8). During the heat of the battle, soldiers fell into deep pits and crevices concealed by the vast forest undergrowth. It was an incredibly tragic day for Absalom’s rebellion. God clearly supported His king.
Absalom Is Murdered
As he fled the battle on the back of a mule, Absalom met up with several of David’s servants. Avoiding capture, he made a hasty retreat into the thick forest. All the insolence, pride and ostentatious behavior had vanished like a puff of smoke. Absalom was broken—his raging fire extinguished. His life was in jeopardy. He was a lion alone. Wild fear slew his composure. Racing away he came too close to the trees. His head, thick with hair, got caught in an oak tree. He was violently stripped from the mule.
Absalom could not believe it. He was deeply entangled—held prisoner by unrelenting branches. As he struggled to free himself, the pain of his hair pulling was unbelievable. What an irony. He was held captive by the symbol of his pride. He fought for calm so he could free himself. One of Joab’s men saw Absalom caught in the tree. The young man was exhausted with desperation. He was sweating profusely. His eyes were wild and wide open. Realizing Absalom would not escape the oak, he hurried back to Joab to report the news (verse 10).
When Joab heard of Absalom’s dilemma, he could not believe the man did not slay the rebel. He said, “And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? And I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle” (verse 11). Joab was incensed. He thought, How stupid for the man to pass up such an opportunity! But the man was obedient to his king. He answered Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me” (verses 12-13). Joab couldn’t be bothered. He didn’t want to hear what this man had to say. David was too soft. Absalom was a rebel. He grabbed three arrows and rushed off into the woods. Ten other men went with Joab.
As Joab approached Absalom he could not help but laugh. The arrogant prince was held hostage by a tree. He stood in front of the would-be king and said nothing. Their eyes met. Absalom breathed deeply—he knew his life was over. He said nothing as he watched the 10 men with Joab surround him. The tree had elevated him for execution. The men said nothing. The silence of the forest was unbearable. Joab slowly lifted his bow, aimed and shot Absalom. The dart hit his body hard with a sickening thud. Absalom’s tunic, darkened by sweat, grew black with blood. Joab shot two more times. Thud. Thud. Yet Absalom was still not dead. Then the 10 joined in the slaying. Each sword cut clear and deep. Absalom finally hung lifeless, his young blood wasted on intrigue, conspiracy and betrayal.
Joab’s men threw Absalom’s butchered body into a deep pit and covered it with a heap of stones. The news of Absalom’s death raged like a wild fire through the rebel troops. Everyone fled to his tent. Many wondered if they would escape with their lives.
Mortal Tidings
David’s men felt exalted at their victory over the rebels. The king had to be informed. Zadok’s son Ahimaaz volunteered to run back to Mahanaim to give the news to the king. The ruthless Joab, however, knew that the king would not well receive the news of his dead son. David had killed previous messengers. He wished to spare the brave Ahimaaz any trouble. Joab explained, “Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead” (2 Samuel 18:20). Joab did send a Cushite, or servant, with the news. He commanded, “Go tell the king what thou hast seen” (verse 21). This man was expendable.
Ahimaaz would not be put off—he asked again to run to David. Joab allowed it this time, thinking that the Cushite would outrun Zadok’s son. Joab’s servant took the most direct route through mountainous territory. This actually took more time. Ahimaaz took a longer but easier route through the plain. He outran the Cushite.
David, anxious for some report, waited just inside the city gates. It had been a long day for the king. Finally, the watchman noticed a man running in the distance. He yelled out to the king that a lone runner was coming toward the city. David knew it was a messenger. The watchman soon saw another man running. He cried out again to David. Another messenger! David searched his heart. He wanted good news. The watchman soon recognized the first runner as Ahimaaz. When he informed the king, David responded, “He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings” (verse 27). David remained ever hopeful for the safety of his son. He met Zadok’s son at the gates.
When Ahimaaz looked into David’s eyes, all he could do was greet him. He could not bring him the real news. Ahimaaz delivered a clouded message. He told the king, “Blessed be the Lord thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king” (verse 28). This news was not good enough for David. He wanted to know most about Absalom. He came back at Ahimaaz, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz hedged. He answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was” (verse 29). David detected Ahimaaz’s wavering and told him to stand aside. The other runner approached.
David Grieves for Absalom
The Cushite informed the king, “Tidings, my lord the king: for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee” (2 Samuel 18:31). David grew ever more impatient. He burst out, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The servant answered more truthfully but softened his answer. “The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is” (verse 32). The news hit David hard. He gasped with emotion. Trembling, David went up to the watchtower and wept bitterly. He called out for all to hear, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (verse 33).
The men and women who loved David wept with him. The great victory was turned into great sorrow. There was no rejoicing as the people returned to the city. The people felt great shame that Absalom was dead. All heard David’s bitter cries for his son (2 Samuel 19:4).
When Joab heard the news of David’s grief he became incensed. He went to the king. Seeing David in mourning moved him little. He boldly corrected the king. “Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the Lord, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now” (verses 5-7). Joab felt David should have been at the gates to thank those who delivered him. Joab feared that those who fought so hard to save the king would now reject him.
David, shocked out of his grief, went to the city gates and received the people.
David Brought Back to Jerusalem
The nation was caught in turmoil. Judah had not recalled David to Jerusalem. David would only return when he knew his nation was behind him. The people wanted their rightful king back. Yet the leaders of the people were hesitant, especially the king’s nephew Amasa. They feared that David would punish them. But the people were persistent. They asked their elders, “The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?” (verses 9-10).
David sent for Zadok and Abiathar. He charged them to negotiate his return to Jerusalem. He told them to tell Judah’s elders, “Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house. Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king? And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab” (verses 11-13). David made a bold move toward Judah. He made a great emotional appeal to his own tribe. He even offered his top military office to Amasa in place of Joab. David had grown very tired of Joab’s disobedience. The man was trouble and needed to be punished for the death of Absalom.
The elders of Judah responded well to David’s message. “And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants” (verse 14). David organized his troops and began his march back to Jerusalem. Solomon and the rest of the family were happy to be returning home. It would be a triumphant return across the Jordan. Judah came out to Gilgal to meet him. David’s trusted friend in Mahanaim, Barzillai, escorted him to the Jordan River.
On David’s return to Jerusalem, much diplomacy was made. Shimei met the king with 1,000 Benjamite troops. This was to let the king know that Benjamin was behind him. Shimei begged for forgiveness for cursing David on his escape from Absalom. Much to Joab and Abishai’s disapproval, Shimei was pardoned (verses 16-23). David delayed this problem for a later time. Ziba was there to meet the king with his sons and servants. He provided the ferry to move David’s family over the Jordan.
At the Jordan, Barzillai took leave of David to return home. Since he was an aged and wise man, David offered him a place at his court in Jerusalem. But the man graciously declined, wishing to spend his final years at home. However, he offered his son Chimham. David accepted the offer and took the man with him to Jerusalem (verses 31-40). Back in Jerusalem, David met with Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson. The truth about Mephibosheth was made known. He was not part of the rebellion. Ziba had slandered him. David restored to the man half of his lands (verses 24-30).
Revolt Breeds Revolt
When David returned to Jerusalem, much work had to be done to secure his government and stabilize the nation. Bad feelings were developing between the north and the south. There was jealousy, envy and great mistrust. Representatives of the tribes of Israel came to meet with David. “Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?” (verse 41). Judah’s elders answered, “Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?” (verse 42). Judah claimed that David was their relative and they had the right to welcome him back.
The men of Israel didn’t buy their explanation. They answered, “We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” (verse 43). As David sat and listened, he recognized that this was an unbelievable display of posturing, but there was a very serious undertone to it all. The 10 tribes were angry and very unstable. Judah was also angry. “And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel” (verse 43). Another war could break out at any time. David could sense real trouble coming.
Then it happened—another revolt. “And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 20:1-2). The 10 tribes separated from David and followed Sheba. David wondered, would there ever again be peace for the nation?