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Rebellion of Absalom, David’s Son
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The place of battle was a woods near the Jordan river. Among the
thickets and marshes of the forest, the great numbers of undisciplined
troops of Absalom’s army became confused and unmanageable. And
“the people of Israel were overthrown there before the servants of
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David, and a great slaughter of twenty thousand took place there
that day.”
Absalom, seeing that the battle was lost, had turned to flee, and
his head became caught between the branches of a widespreading
tree. His mule, going out from under him, left him hopelessly
suspended, a prey for his enemies. He was found by a soldier,
who spared him because he was afraid of displeasing the king, but
reported to Joab what he had seen.
Joab was not held back by any hesitation. He had befriended
Absalom, having twice reconciled him with David, and the trust had
been shamelessly betrayed. If Joab had not obtained advantages for
Absalom, this rebellion could never have occurred. “And he took
three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart. ...
And they took Absalom and cast him into a large pit in the woods,
and laid a very large heap of stones over him.”
God’s Judgment on the Rebellion
So the instigators of rebellion in Israel perished. Ahithophel had
died by his own hand. The princely Absalom, whose beauty had
been the pride of Israel, had been killed in his youth, his dead body
thrown into a pit and covered with a heap of stones, to represent
everlasting disgrace.
With the leader of the rebellion dead, Joab at once sent two
messengers to carry the news to the king.
The first messenger came with the news “All is well.” To the
king’s eager question, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” the mes-
senger gave an evasive answer.
The second messenger arrived and announced, “There is good
news, my lord the king! For the Lord has avenged you this day of
all those who rose against you.” From the father’s lips came the
question, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Unable to conceal the
bad news, the herald answered, “May the enemies of my lord the
king, and all who rise against you to do you harm, be like that young