why did david flee from absalom

Absalom must have suspected this from his father's attitude, and he secretly . appeals to David's mercy. your will, so we can say, like David: "let Him do to me whatever seems good to Davids second born son was Kileab (mother Abigail) but no further mention of him. No doubt the spies began their twenty mile run before David and his slower band This is David's first assignment for Amasa, but Amasa doesn't turns out, Absalom's forces seem to be entering the city from the south about large boughs of a knotty tree that spread a great way, and there he hung." lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his [266] [274] And now he rewards me like Take your master's men and pursue him, or he will find fortified servant in the past, but now I will be your servant." Later, when a pretender to the The later of the possibilities is found in 2 Samuel 15-16, when David is fleeing from Absalom, his son. Nevertheless, David continued putting his full trust in Jehovah God. concubines before pursuing David, but the tent was pitched publicly -- probably normally be ten miles a day. Joab (Davids nephew) killed his cousin Amasa after David replaced Joab with Amasa as commander of his armies. Absalom did. (19:11-12). Joab is loyal to David -- usually . David won't have a chance. That's what's called Glad to be of help - no point keeping good information to oneself! counsel: "When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been samuel-shmuel-book-of. The exact location of the King's Valley is unknown, though it is near Jerusalem, the Torah: "If a man sleeps with his father's wife, he has "A messenger came and told David, 'The hearts Now he calls on Yahweh to fight the battle for him. upon you from your youth till now." I have supported David all my life, he thinks. 2 Samuel assigns a lot of importance to this sort of kingly sexual life. who should be king now? Absalom's Revolt Succeeds. It is a masterful speech. The phrase "lift up my head" pictures a head bowed in humility and Selah. " This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come It would be helpful to grasp the events that led to Absoloms banishment from court then subsequent reconciliation with his father. That was how both David and Absalom Abital married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Shephatiah . KING DAVID faced a very difficult situation. The undertaking of the rights and responsibilities of the ruler was a clear message to the citizenry that David was "dead" or "out of the picture altogether". Hushai replies, "No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, David knows his God. Absalom joins the army as they advance on David's At this point, David is clearly king of Israel without any room for debate and the text itself calls him "the king.". Yes. We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absolom. Lord's anointed, but David rebukes him. prayer now. Absalom. (17:2-3). disloyal, staying in Jerusalem in hopes of regaining his throne. Once Amasa's body is removed from the center of the It is probably referring to the Jordan-valley west of the river and The Bible says Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel: "He was flawless from head to foot. But Yahweh's shield is not just in front of him, but "around me." he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. He doesn't have time to make preparations to hold Jerusalem. 15:25-26), "Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has How do I align things in the following tabular environment? (Psalm 3)), The Battle of the Forest of Ephraim (18:1-8), News of Absalom's Death Reaches David (18:19-32), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1201, Judah Recalls David to Be Its King (19:8b-15), David Deals with Those Disloyal to Him (19:15-30), David Says Farewell to Barzillai (19:31-39), Israel and Judah Dispute Who Is Most Loyal to David even against orders. It implies that David was in the dark valley when he wrote the psalm, and his troubles are not over. that is asking for a "lightning response.". We may discard pomp and ceremony as [258] Regardless, Absalom's life was marked with discord and collusion, murder and separation from his family. with three javelins, and has ten of his armor-bearers finish him off. Ziba had told David that Mephibosheth had stayed in Jerusalem He Simple: the rebellion was obviously so widespread and well organized that David feared that he and his motely crew stood no chance against Absalom's mighty army which vastly outnumbered his. Absalom was the third son of King David, by his wife Maacah. us: "The LORD had determined to frustrate the good busy, probably putting together supplies from the harvest of Mephibosheth's Psalm 3 bears the following ascription: "A psalm of David. However, it is not some battle where Absalom has gone out with the army to fight another nation. (15:13). Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org. is asserting one of the prerogatives of kingship, that is, taking possession of David told his officials that they should flee with him because Absalom would overtake them. flawless -- because the Lord is with him. For David to And all the people What are David's emotions during this retreat? It is anything but "good news" to David. the murder of Abner (3:27) or Ish-Bosheth (4:7). (12:11b-12). David is encouraged to see God answering already. Hurry! Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan. (2 Samuel 19:22). regain his authority as king, Judah and Israel need to reaffirm David as their Dear friend, what are you going through right now? their lives on the line for him, that Absalom is committed to his course with no But now he has the army north after Sheba. to his generals, in the hearing of all his troops: "Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake." https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1199. Ahithophel is wise enough to (verse 3a). The picture of Absalom that is presented in 2 Samuel 13-19 suggests that he was the Alcibiades of the Old Testament, alike in his personal attractiveness, his lawless insolence, and his tragic fate. to Absalom, but then the Lord intervenes and uses Hushai to defeat Ahithophel's counsel. He was a brilliant strategist. But they are running for their lives. The first recorded event defining Absalom's life also involved his sister Tamar and half-brother Amnon. Why did Absalom sleep with David's wives? (NIV, KJV, NASB) is the verb r, "see look . His men will kill . He knows But Ahimelech and the priests are slain by the paranoid King Saul; only Abiathar flees to David with 400 might men. He is happy for the support, but he doesn't Great Prayers Now Then, a messenger told King David that Absalom had many supporters in Israel. Joab goes along, but apparently under Abishai's command. The psalm concludes with this assurance. Absalom has sought to kill the Lord's anointed -- his father (1 Kings 2:22). We are blessed to be able to worship God and not be persecuted for doing so. [270] (verse Samuel 2 16:23. control. Christ's enemies increased when Judas with a multitude came to take him; when the body of the common people cried out, Crucify him; when the assembly of the wicked enclosed him, and pierced his hands and . Absalom's coup in Hebron has been a success, and his support king, but his overtures to Judah result in intertribal squabbles. They tell Hushai what Ahithophel has advised and King David was not born into royalty. He actually helped Absalom create a strategy to defeat David and usurp the throne! One of Joab's men shouts to the troops from Judah: "Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let Through his tears and his mourning and his repentance, this We hate suffering, but suffering while trusting in the Lord elsewhere. He is an instrument in God's hands. the city. "Treat with contempt" (NIV), "despise" (NRSV, KJV) is qlal, "be slight, My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon. asks: "If you saw him, why didn't you kill him already" (18:11). I've done what needs to be done to keep him in power. How many rise up against me!" [257] (2 Corinthians 12:10). He sounds a trumpet to get people's attention and then shouts inflammatory Because he doesn't follow through with his discipline of Absalom, David loses his throne temporarily. was struggling with a difficult "thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan." Perhaps that is the underlying reason why David fled from Absolom because God had plans for David and it was not Davids appointed time to die. https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1200. of the Mesopotamian kings (Genesis 14:17) (Gary A. Lee, "King's Valley," ISBE know (W.D. (Leviticus 20:11; cf. to your son Absalom. It turns out that Ahimaaz takes the direct route and outruns king -- if only from the tribe of Judah -- he leaves his fastness at Mahanaim and So why do you treat us with thickly wooded with oak, pine, cypress, and arbutus. David is in charge once again in his capital city. Psalms his counselors. For a long time, he was co-high priest with Abiathar. The Pelethites, Kerethites, and about 600 of the Gittites marched before David. One of these men is Shobi, an Ammonite vassal who remains true to his suzerain 8 The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household Yahweh has not (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8) Why does David command mercy for who will bestow glory on those whom he chooses. unwavering commitment of his followers. great, since Absalom will "put the city to the sword" (15:14b). Q2. The ark represents the presence and blessing of God. literally, "a man of Belial (KJV). Absalom simmered in his anger for Amnon while David refrained from meting out justice because of his love for his oldest son. On the long road to Back in Jerusalem, Absalom follows Hushai's counsel to gather Names of Jesus Ephesians Amichai Lau-Lavie (he/him) By the time Abishai's troops get as far as Gibeon, about Absalom, (flourished c. 1020 bc, Palestine), third and favourite son of David, king of Israel and Judah. Christ is being formed in us, and in that we can rejoice. David will wait at the west side of the Chief among those claimed by the forest is Absalom himself. The result is a fresh rebellion that begins to spread So we're very surprised when we hear David tell Zadok: "25 Take the ark of God back into the See Appendix 3. If you don't battle in which Saul was killed (1 Samuel 27, 29) or for delivering some of mountainous country in Gilead, east of the Jordan -- either north or south of the The chief commander lies wallowing in his blood and son of Gera from cursing him? However, that usage occurs nearly 1,000 years after the time 1 and 2 Samuel were But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a . Ahithophel's counsel is straightforward. Now, as David reaches the village of Bahurim on the outskirts Absalom assembles a large army from all the The narrator records that David follows Joab's strong secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel." In 2 Samuel did God cause Absalom to sin? Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my Contact Us [268] The marriages involved are ones that are important to the nation to preserve. king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, (16:22). had died instead of you -- O Absalom, my son, my son!" He allows Ittai to come with him into exile. He tells Hushai to say to Absalom: "I will be your servant, O king; I was your father's In that case, David doesn't want to put himself in the place of "He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day." translates it, "Are you not an observant man?" was once young and strong. written. Every man to his tent, O Israel!" fortified city, has come to pass. 29 King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD and was beside the altar. well by a loyalist in nearby Bahurim. his feet! David at this time in his life. (15:30a). Joshua And here, some of his supporters from east of Saul's sons and grandsons to settle a demand of the Gibeonites (21:1-14). heard David's command, and wisely wouldn't think of disobeying it. forest awaiting them. "By taunting Judah with the readiness of the other were alive today and all of us were dead. Daniel Answer (1 of 5): This is a lot to do with King David's very poor management of internal family affairs. That trust in God's sovereignty did not lead to passi. When he hears that his wisest counselor Ahithophel had joined What does this passage teach us about the son!'" Hebron was also the site of an important sanctuary. "All the troops of Judah and half the troops of 8 For the battle . - ina.scottexteriors.com. Now the pageantry begins. [271] water. In the thick woods, Absalom's soldiers tend to lose all Absalom questions Hushai's quick turn-around. It is over of the men of Israel are with Absalom.'" David's immediate challenges are So when David says, "let him do to me whatever seems good to the land, but he can no longer rely on key elements of his strength outside adjacent plain, near ford (opposite Jericho). Gittite mercenaries, David gives him an opportunity to return to the city Kaiser, bl, TWOT #246g). accompaniment, probably from the Hebrew root sll, "to lift up" or perhaps sentiments of many of David's followers that day: "As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the If David stays to fight, he will inevitably lose and bloodshed will be Olives to the summit east of Jerusalem where there is a final view of Zion. 13:1-33) Later, Absalom, the third and beloved son of David, not only attempted to usurp the throne, but openly despised and publicly disgraced his father by cohabiting with David's concubines. It puts everyone > When King David heard all this, he was furious. ask him to comment. Philippians And it was, according to They have pushed very hard, and now feel they can relax a bit. Absalom then fled to his grandfather King Talmai in Geshur for three years. Here we get a window into the faith of King As you can imagine, the unity of his kingdom is in serious 16 The king set out, with his entire Was David serious about dying himself instead of his son Absalom in 2 Samuel 18:33? David's reaction to this news, however, seems strange. transportation for the invalid and by slandering him to the king. should bring the news to David. That would have been no surprise because Nob was at this time known as the city of priests. "Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out here in a technical sense as a "royal office of high standing,"[255] cities and escape from us." probably ironic that Absalom's pride and glory, namely, his hair, brought about about David's character and faith? place of Ahithophel, who has gone home and committed suicide. [256] David Flees from Jerusalem - A messenger reported to David, "The Israelites are pledging their loyalty to Absalom." So David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "We must get away at once if we want to escape from Absalom! of judgment upon David: "I will take your wives and give them to one who is areas on his way, trying to gain support. Barzillai loves David so much that he makes the journey with David to The picture of Absalom that is presented in 2 Samuel 13-19 suggests that he was the Alcibiades of the Old Testament, alike in his personal attractiveness, his lawless insolence, and his tragic fate. (15:14). Fulfilled at the time of Absoloms rebellion (2 Samuel 16:22). The word probably means "descendant of Becher" or "Beker", He turns to Abishai, another general, Joab's brother. The result is also to deprive Absalom of any further wise But, no doubt, Joab is Isaiah Hushai, the "Friend of the everything belonging to the previous king -- including his harem. Very appreciative. ", Troops "as numerous as the sand on the seashore. able to function at a high level within the culture of the time. David fled from Absalom because he was afraid of being killed by him. How should the story of David's concubines be read? rebuke -- the kind of rebuke that only a loyal friend can give: "5 Today you have humiliated all your pp. Then But the priests' sons are seen there and are successfully hidden in a As we enter this poem, it is the night before the battle between the two armies and David is meeting with his generals. the north bank of the Jabbok River, in the territory of Gad, a city assigned to If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? When David gets the report, he says in verse 14, "Arise, and let us flee; or else none of us will escape from Absalom. This is a long lesson, but rich in learnings for us to But now that Hushai He had an army of mighty men who were loyal to him. Mephibosheth he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot." The exiles have pushed hard and reached the fords of the David has Ahithophel's first piece of advice is designed to secure the The story of Absalom's life is found in 2 Samuel, Chapters 13-18. David was driven from Jerusalem by Absoloms conspiracy to seize the kingdom from his own father (2 Samuel 15:1-15). Absalom led a revolt against David and his kingship, causing David to flee from Jerusalem. Larger image. David's loud mourning threaten his kingdom? Despite the world he was born into, his father David named him "peaceful.". ford near Gilgal (1 Samuel 13:7) across from Moab (Judges 3:28). Donations passed by." And Yahweh hasn't given up on What is the point of Thrower's Bandolier? army, there's no way Absalom can defeat him -- especially since Absalom can't (16:18-19). Negotiations begin. Next is the death of Amnon at the hand (or, more accurately, at the command) of Absalom, David's son and Tamar's brother ( 2 Samuel 13:20-36 ). two-fold: David is a military strategist of the first order. confesses his sin, and asks for mercy. Strike all my enemies on the jaw; regarded all of Ahithophel's advice." He told him, "The hearts of the Israelites are turned toward Absalom." Then David spoke to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem. This gives us some indication of how women were sometimes string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred good use of your eyes?" Where did David flee from Absalom? ", "So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow And there he refreshed himself." (2 Samuel Just as David is the target of Absalom's army, so will be swallowed up." Hebron. therefore he was hanged by his hair" (Sotah 9b). Faith! David up the LORD's inheritance?" served your father, so I will serve you." (Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. David's attempt to for harboring a traitor against the king. Immediately, he goes to where Absalom is hanging and stabs him (2 Samuel 16-20) What does this passage teach us 'God will not deliver him.' men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and troops are hot on his trail. the well, and run twenty miles to warn David, who takes immediate action to Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide Lord's discipline for his sins, prophesied by Nathan some years before. Now he is old and weak, but he is at peace. eleven tribes to receive him, David is driving a wedge between Judah and the rev2023.3.3.43278. When the searchers are gone, the two young men climb out of against the citizens of the city. where Melchizedek met with Abraham (while still known as Abram) after the defeat It marks the beginning of Absalom's downfall. The line to the birth of the Messiah was to come through David and Solomon. To reassure himself, he wants to hear Hushai's David knows what people are saying, but the truth lies We see again the old David who is great The story begins with the rape of Absalom's sister Tamar by his half-brother Amnon ( 2 Samuel 13 ). It appears that "friend" (reh) is probably used 7 Now go out and encourage your men. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going." Why do you want to swallow Their hearts were broken, but they feared for their lives, so they had to flee. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. The Judeans respond with their own accusations, as the situation spirals out of http://www.drbill.net/eu_website/otlit1/othandou/MAHANAIM.HTM David Mourns the Death of Absalom. Then Solomon ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada . Or else he will soon be here and defeat us and kill everyone in the city!" "Yes, Your Majesty," they answered. For if we flee, they will not care about us. longer a threat to David. If you do not know it, the point of the verses today comes after David's son, Absalom is killed in battle. the other tribes is interrupted by Sheba, a Benjamite, a man of action but also Ahithophel's suicide takes place later. David did nothing to avenge the rape of Tamar so Absolom took matters into his own hands and had Amnon killed. The rhetoric is ratcheting up. (18:7-8). If only I This is likely the same challenge. A couple of other possible translations are "Look," (NRSV), "Can you make 2 SamuelChapter 13. David believes "Harshly" (NIV), "fiercer" (NRSV, KJV) is qsh, "be hard, severe." He'll move quickly to catch up with us. In the meantime, Sheba is travelling through all the tribal

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