Friday, May 3, 2013

Caught By His Pride

II Samuel 18:1-18

“And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.  And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. 

But the people answered, 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. 

And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.” (II Samuel 18:1-4) 

Once they arrived in Mahanaim, David began to organize his forces, dividing them into three main groups.  Two of the groups were led by David’s cousins, Joab and Abishai, while the third was led by the Ittai, the Philistine from Gath.

Unlike most politicians David was not inclined to stay at home and give orders, preferring to be actively involved and leading the people.  The people recognized that the entire purpose of the attack was to destroy him and insisted he not expose himself to the danger,  If  David were killed, it wouldn’t matter whether they won the battle or not, because Absalom would still seize the kingdom.  They insisted David stay in the city and cheer them on from there so they didn’t have to worry about him being killed.

David yielded to the wishes of the people, acknowledging their right to make such a request since they were putting their lives on the line for him.  It was this desire to actively take part in what was done, but being willing to consider others that distinguished him from Saul and made him such a great leader that even his former enemies would support him.

“And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.” (II Samuel 18:5)

Even thought Absalom was trying to kill him, David still loved his son.  Godly love is not based on the other person’s treatment of us, but on our chosen attitude toward them.  At the same time David id not overlook Absalom’s intention to kill him,  As I Corinthians 13:6 says, Love “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.”  Love is honest about the person, seeing what they are really like.  Because of his love for his son, David gave orders to try not to hurt Absalom if possible, and all the people were informed.

 “So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.  For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. 

And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.” (II Samuel 18:6-9)

As a result of Absalom’s attempt to usurp the throne, twenty thousand people died.  More were killed from running into dead branches or falls that were killed by the opposing forces.  Absalom himself got his hair tangled in an oak branch and was left dangling, by the very hair he had been so proud of, unable to free himself when his mule didn‘t stop in time..

“And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. 

And Joab said unto the man that told him, 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. 

And the man said unto 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.” (II Samuel 18:10-13) 

When Joab heard what had happened, he demanded to know why the man hadn’t just killed Absalom on the spot, stating that he would have given him a cash reward and a trophy belt for it,

The man didn’t believe him because David had given orders not to hurt Absalom, and he was sure Joab would have had him executed immediately for ignoring the orders.  He didn’t feel like committing suicide.

“Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.  And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.  And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.” (II Samuel 18:14-16)

Joab told the man he didn’t have the time to waste discussing what would have happened and hurried away to kill Absalom before someone rescued him.  He had a grudge against Absalom for burning his field,  and  he wanted to get even, regardless of David‘s orders.  He stabbed three arrows or small spears through Absalom’s heart, then had  ten other guys stab him to hide who really killed him.  He was the third person Joab had deliberately had killed.  With Absalom dead, there was no excuse to continue the battle, so Joab called off his men.

“And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.” (II Samuel 18:17)

There was a large pit in the woods, so Absalom was buried in it under a pile of stones to keep animals from eating the body.  Knowing that David was going to be upset about Absalom’s death after having given instructions not to hurt him, the people returned home with a sense of failure.

“Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.” (II Samuel 18:18) 

Absalom was a vain man wanting everyone to look up to him.  It was why he had let his hair grow, and spent so much hiring guys to accompany him and doing public relations.  In addition he had set up a monument to himself so everybody would remember him, since he had no sons to do it for him.  

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