Rebellion of Absalom
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David and his forces fell back to Mahanaim, which had been the
royal seat of Ishbosheth. This was a strongly fortified city, surrounded
by a mountainous district favorable for retreat in case of war. The coun-
try was well-provisioned, and the people were friendly to the cause
of David. Here many adherents joined him, while wealthy tribesmen
brought abundant gifts of provision, and other needed supplies.
Hushai’s counsel had achieved its object, gaining for David oppor-
tunity for escape; but the rash and impetuous prince could not be long
restrained, and he soon set out in pursuit of his father. “And Absalom
passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.” Absalom
made Amasa, the son of David’s sister Abigail, commander-in-chief
of his forces. His army was large, but it was undisciplined and poorly
prepared to cope with the tried soldiers of his father.
David divided his forces into three battalions under the command
of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai the Gittite. It had been his purpose himself
to lead his army in the field; but against this the officers of the army,
the counselors, and the people vehemently protested. “Thou shalt not
go forth,” they said: “for if we flee away, they will not care for us;
neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but thou art worth ten
thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou be ready to succour
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us out of the city. And the king said unto them, What seemeth you
best I will do.”
2 Samuel 18:3, 4
, R.V.
From the walls of the city the long lines of the rebel army were in
full view. The usurper was accompanied by a vast host, in comparison
with which David’s force seemed but a handful. But as the king looked
upon the opposing forces, the thought uppermost in his mind was not
of the crown and the kingdom, nor of his own life, that depended upon
the wage of battle. The father’s heart was filled with love and pity for
his rebellious son. As the army filed out from the city gates David
encouraged his faithful soldiers, bidding them go forth trusting that
the God of Israel would give them the victory. But even here he could
not repress his love for Absalom. As Joab, leading the first column,
passed his king, the conqueror of a hundred battlefields stooped his
proud head to hear the monarch’s last message, as with trembling
voice he said, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with
Absalom.” And Abishai and Ittai received the same charge—“Deal
gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom.” But the
king’s solicitude, seeming to declare that Absalom was dearer to him