Rebellion of Absalom
673
like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He
is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. And Ahimaaz called,
and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon
his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the Lord thy God, which
hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the
king.” To the king’s eager inquiry, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”
Ahimaaz returned an evasive answer.
The second messenger came, crying, “Tidings, my lord the king:
for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against
thee.” Again from the father’s lips came the absorbing question, “Is the
young man Absalom safe?” Unable to conceal the heavy tidings, the
herald answered, “The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise
against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.” It was enough.
David questioned no further, but with bowed head he “went up to the
chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my
son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for
thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
[745]
The victorious army, returning from the field, approached the city,
their shouts of triumph awaking the echoes of the hills. But as they
entered the city gate the shout died away, their banners drooped in their
hands, and with downcast gaze they advanced more like those who
had suffered defeat than like conquerors. For the king was not waiting
to bid them welcome, but from the chamber above the gate his wailing
cry was heard, “O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would
God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
“The victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people;
for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people
being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.”
Joab was filled with indignation. God had given them reason for
triumph and gladness; the greatest rebellion that had ever been known
in Israel had been crushed; and yet this great victory was turned to
mourning for him whose crime had cost the blood of thousands of
brave men. The rude, blunt captain pushed his way into the presence
of the king, and boldly said, “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; ... in that thou lovest thine enemies, and
hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest