The Death of Absalom - The Book of 2 Samuel

In this Bible Story, we witness the short-lived coupe of Absalom. Having just taken over the throne of David, Absalom’s army is defeated in battle by David’s mighty men and Absalom is killed. This story is inspired by 2 Samuel 17:24-19:8. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.

Today's Bible verse is 2 Samuel 18:9 from the King James Version.

Episode 107: David and his commanders went to gather the army, but Abishai told David that it would be better for the army if he stayed behind and recruited more soldiers. David sent the army off and asked them to deal gently with Absalom for His sake. But during the battle, Absalom got caught in some branches and was killed by David’s men. When David heard about his death, he mourned for his son. But his mourning would lead to shame for the entire army and a confrontation from Joab.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray, and Absalom met the servants of David
an 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 Second Samuel eighteen nine, Heavenly Father,

(00:25):
to day, I will focus my heart and energy in
the direction of those who have chosen to stand by
me in the battle to achieve my goals. While others
are focusing on all those who have left their lives,
I will instead focus on all those who have encouraged
and have fought for me through prayer and proximity. To day,

(00:48):
I will celebrate my winds with those loyal to me
and my family. To day, I will rejoice and praise
You Lord with those who have chosen to build alongside
me even in my toughest times. I thank you for
the Joe abs in my life who constantly remind me
to stop crying and to stop giving my best energy

(01:10):
to those who choose to exit my life. Like David
did with Absolom, I will be mindful and open to
hearing hard corrections, because in the end, the words of
a friend may be bitter than lies from my enemies
seem sweet. But because of this, I will look to
those who tell me the truth, even when it doesn't

(01:32):
feel good. I praise you Yahweh, for you are all
around me, creating opportunities to strengthen that which remains my
true relationships in Jesus name. Amen, Thank you for praying
with us to day. Continue your time with God by

(01:56):
listening to to day's Bible story brought to you by
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Speaker 2 (02:11):
The Death of Absalom. In our last story, Absalom successfully
took the throne of David. David, not wanting to cause
a civil war in the streets of Jerusalem, fled into
the wilderness until he could plan his next step. Now
we see Absalom mounting his attack on David and his

(02:32):
men and the tragic fall that comes after pride. Inspired
by the Book of Second Samuel.

Speaker 3 (02:41):
Hello, this is Jack Graham with today's episode of the
Bible in a Year podcast. In our previous episode, we
heard how Absalom spread lies and rumors to undermine David's
rule until he was finally ready to strike and overthrow
his father David. David, who was unwilling to sacrifice his
people to keep his throne, fled to the wilderness, trusting

(03:02):
that God would restore him in his own time and
in his own way. Today we'll learn how Absalom takes
the fight to David, believing he will win. His pride
will be his downfall as David and his mighty men
once more show their courage and strengthen battle and their
loyalty to David and their faith in God. Let's listen

(03:24):
now to today's scripture.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
Just like old times, David and his mighty men prepared
for battle in the wilderness. There was something primal about exile.
David and his men thought back on their time on
the run from Saul. That is where they truly bonded
and banded together as a unit. It was almost as
if being in the wilderness was an unforeseen advantage. David

(03:50):
sent his commanders Joe, ab Etai, and Abashi to gather
them in. David began setting his armor and sharpening his sword.
Abishai sat beside him. You should not go into battle
with us, David, he said. David turned and looked shocked.
Abishi put his hand on David's shoulder and said, if

(04:11):
for some reason they overtake us, we need to have
the freedom to retreat. If you are there, they will
not allow us to retreat. You are the prize they
are hunting. You must stay back. David's lips tightened and
his brow furrowed. He was in deep thought. He knew
Abershire was right. You must send word out to anyone

(04:32):
loyal than Israel willing to fight with us, Abishai, said,
David nodded and said, whatever seems best to you, I
will do so. David sent them off. As they were departing,
David turned to his generals and said, please, for my sake,
deal gently with Absalom. They agreed, and rode into the

(04:54):
distance to face Absalom's army. Absalom stood at the head
of his army, watching the men of David appear from
the distance. A small forest stood in between them, and
the two armies began to run towards one another through
the trees. The mighty men of David used the trees
to their advantage, ramming soldiers into the wood. The armies

(05:16):
of Absalom barely stood a chance against them. Absalom watched
as his men were buried under the fury of David's army.
He looked to his left and to his right. Blood
shed and carnage was everywhere, and Absalom fled in a
frantic attempt to save his life. As he rode through
the trees, his head was snagged between two branches, and

(05:38):
his horse continued to ride without him. Absalom's neck was
gripped between the two branches, and he flailed in the
air trying to catch a breath. A few of David's
men stood under Absalom, watching him squirm in the air.
Joab and Abershi bickered over whether to kill him or not.
Yet Joab saw very little use in arguing further. He

(05:58):
took his spear and drove Ovid into Absalom. As he
hung there, they drug Absalom's body through dirt and leaves.
There they threw him into a pit and put stones
above his body. His grave would serve as a reminder
that a kingdom established by pride and greed would be
a kingdom short lived. When David learned of Absalom's death,

(06:21):
he returned home and wept for days. David's heart broke
at his son's fate and wished that there could have
been another way to save him. Joab returned home from
victory and saw that the streets of Israel mourned in
shame for Absalom's death. There, grieving, vexed Joab, he walked
into the house of David to see him lying on

(06:42):
the floor weeping over his son. Joab approached David and
picked him up off the floor and slammed him against
the wall. The floor shook and a few cups fell
off the table beside them. David looked at Joab, shocked
and confused. Joab continued to press David against the wall
as he yelled, today we have saved you, Israel, and

(07:03):
your entire family from the tyranny of your son. Your
whole household and all of Israel should be rejoicing, but
instead they feel ashamed because you refuse to encourage them.
Joab released David and swatted at the air. He turned
and pointed to David again, yelling, you can't help yourself. David.
Ever since I have known you, you have loved those

(07:25):
who hate you and hated those who love you. Do
we mean nothing to you? We just got home from battle,
and we have to come home to these darkened streets
filled with tears. Joab's legs began to shake. He was
tired from battle and frustrated at his king. He sighed
and said, I swear if you do not go out

(07:46):
there and encourage your people, your men will lose hope
in you. They bled for you. The least you can
do is thank them instead of wallowing in self pity
over your traitor's son. David said nothing to Joeab.

Speaker 3 (08:01):
He was right.

Speaker 2 (08:03):
David had always spent so much time pining after the
affection of those who betrayed him. Saul and Absalom were
both examples of that. David composed himself and walked among
the streets of Israel. He encouraged those who were mourning,
and stood at the gates and resolved.

Speaker 3 (08:25):
In God's word. Today the stage is set for battle.
Absalom's army is preparing to attack his father, but David
and his men are ready, and they're much more seasoned warriors.
David put three of his most trusted commanders in charge
of his army, joe ebb Abishai, and Itah. Though he
did not want to fight his son. David began to

(08:46):
prepare for the battle as well, but Abishai advised David
to stay behind for his safety, knowing that David's life
was of great value. David trusted his men and agreed
to follow Abishai's council. As his men ready themselves to
go to the battle, David had a request. We read
this in Second Samuel eighteen, verse five. And the king

(09:10):
ordered Joe ab Abashai and Edtai deal gently for my
sake with the young man Absalom. And all the people
heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders
about Absalom. After all the betrayal, after all that Absalom
had done to David and his family, David still loved
his son, his flesh and blood, and he requested that

(09:31):
his life be spared. It may have seemed outrageous to
those who heard it, as it made to you today.
Absalom had committed treason and was actively trying to kill
his father, and yet David asked his men for mercy
upon his son. It's possible that this is a fault
in David's life in that he failed to correct his children.

(09:53):
One might even say that he was soft on discipline,
But we also see in David a heart after God,
and his heart is long suffering and full of love
and grace towards others. And despite the failures of his
son and his family, David was a faithful father in
so many ways. This would be a good time to

(10:15):
remind ourselves that we have a good, good father, a gracious,
heavenly father who loves us and is merciful towards us,
and is forgiving even when we run away and betray him.
Jesus is the son of the Father who went to
the cross and died and rose again so that we
could be reunited with God, our father. God went to

(10:37):
war for us, not against us, and he fought for
our hearts and our lives and our souls. David's men
accepted David's request and set off for the fight, and
as fights go, this one wasn't much of a match.
David's army was stronger, wiser, and more skill than Absalom's army,
and they quickly won the fight. Absalom was no war

(11:00):
and seeing the defeated hand, he fled the fight on
his mule, and as he rode through the trees, his
head was caught between the branches and he hung there
helpless and unable to escape. One of Joab's men found him,
but he remembered David's orders and was unwilling to kill Absalom. Joab, however,
acted swiftly and with his armor bearers, killed Absalom, then

(11:24):
took his body down from the tree. He then buried
the body and erected stones over the grave, a monument
named after Absalom himself, to remind all of how God
had dealt swiftly with the counterfeit. King David was now
free from danger. His son, who sought to kill him,
was dead, but this was of no comfort to David.

(11:47):
David wept and grieved his son, and when Joeab saw
David's response, he could not stay silent any longer and
rebuked David for focusing on his sorrow for the loss
of one who wanted to kill him, rather than rerigche
rejoicing in his deliverance and encouraging those who remain loyal
to him. The king was convicted by the honest words

(12:07):
of his loyal commander and friend. He rose from his
mourning and sat at the gate and received his people
who trusted in him as the king that he was
truly God's King, it was time to return to Jerusalem,
and we'll hear more about that the next time. Dear God,
we thank you for today's message of restoration and the

(12:28):
victory for David and his men. Thank you for the
reminder that your promises always endure, as does your patient
love for us. In Jesus's name, Amen, thank you for
listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor
Jack Graham, and we appreciate so very much your interest,

(12:48):
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(13:09):
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