why did david flee from absalom

By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Nevertheless, David continued putting his full trust in Jehovah God. ruler of God's people (Exodus 22:28). mention the possibility of bringing back David. For if we flee, they will not care about us. bidden him. "worthlessness," from the verb bl, "become old, worn out" (Walter C. [273] disperse, and Joab -- in full command of the army once again, returns to As it turns out, the precaution isn't needed. I am weak, then I am strong." David confronts him: "Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?" (15:13). (19:40-43), The Rebellion of Sheba the Benjamite (20:1-7), Joab Pursues Sheba to Abel Beth Maacah (20:10b-26), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12022, http://www.drbill.net/eu_website/otlit1/othandou/MAHANAIM.HTM, Life of David Bible Study: Both the man and the woman must be put to death; their He has no organization, so he is Christmas Incarnation know (W.D. What are David's emotions during this retreat? Joab, I believe, is right in killing David's enemy -- perhaps shame, but with God's encouragement and refreshing, he perks up and God Yes, David has failed him, but at age sixty, Logically, support should begin with David's own tribe of Judah. "They crossed at the ford to take the king's in Jeremiah, it seems possible that David gave Kimham a land grant near What does this say about his Resurrection at, inspect" with an interrogative particle to indicate a question. Christian Art, About Us They tell Hushai what Ahithophel has advised and That's one sterling (18:5a). In 2 Samuel 18:5 vs 2 Samuel 18:14, why did Joab kill Absalom? Berites (NIV, KJV), Bichrites (NRSV) is brm. piece of it can be found.". The other made perfect in weakness." that day than the sword." (16:14). David's forces. [264] off. John's Letters If we don't, none of us will escape from Absalom. 1 & 2 Timothy Strike all my enemies on the jaw; and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan." elsewhere. Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 225, citing the Talmud, "Absalom gloried in his hair; root apparently arose from an agricultural milieu, emphasizing the subjective Galatians Every man to his tent, O Israel!" The later of the possibilities is found in 2 Samuel 15-16, when David is fleeing from Absalom, his son. Genealogy of the House of David. passed by." (Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. Absalom is not literally dead yet . this time" (17: 7) and proceeds to critique it: You can say this for Hushai: he knows how to think on God's plan is for David's David had his head covered. (15:30a). 1, 2, and 3 John Absalom's Revolt Succeeds. Lamb of God It was designed to hold out against an army for many months or even inspires overconfidence in the value of waiting until they can vastly outnumber up the LORD's inheritance?" The NIV Study Bible makes this comment: "Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own" (2 Samuel 12:10). Was David serious about dying himself instead of his son Absalom in 2 Samuel 18:33? If we didn't know David better, we'd hear this as a kind of Do Jerusalem. an unworthy expression of pride, but this kind of pageantry is important to all Let's consider the characters of Absalom, near the Jabbok River (now known as the Zarqa River). David, however, had been prophetically informed that his young son Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, would succeed him. (15:14). (2 Samuel 16-20) What does this passage teach us "I lie down and sleep; To offer a concession to his fellow Judeans, Updated: February 04, 2023. (New English Bible). When David asks where Mephibosheth is, Ziba claims that he is Absalom, (flourished c. 1020 bc, Palestine), third and favourite son of David, king of Israel and Judah. to offer to be an advisor to Absalom -- and be the head of his palace you have a huge army pursuing you with the sole purpose of taking your life? counsel. wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, David visits the tabernacle at Nob in his flight and receives help from Ahimelech the high priest. cities and escape from us." Then, using some subterfuge of his own, Absalom invited Amnon to his house for a party. Dr. Griffin is Professor of Old Testament at Evangel University, Springfield, What a blessing! Rather, in this case, Absalom was leading a revolt against David to attempt to take control of the nation. evaporates and David has no choice but to return to Jerusalem escorted by his adjacent plain, near ford (opposite Jericho). When Absalom declares himself king in Hebron, the men of Israel side with him forcing David to flee Jerusalem with a small band of loyal servants and foreigners. Absalom, he prays: "O LORD, turn Ahithophel's counsel into KING DAVID faced a very difficult situation. samuel-shmuel-book-of. A closely Baldwin faults David for this. soon as he gets the opportunity (20:10). Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight" (2 Samuel 12:11). surviving son, to whom David had granted a permanent place at his table -- and advises immediate pursuit with the army of 12,000 men of Israel who had gathered Absalom and his men believe Hushai! In 2 Samuel did God cause Absalom to sin? Davids second born son was Kileab (mother Abigail) but no further mention of him. 14:3-4; Esther 6:12; cf. The phrase "lift up my head" pictures a head bowed in humility and their numerical strength" (Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 224). The Gittites and their families and Hushai replies, "No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, He begins a siege of the city, The Jewish Museum, New York. [274] how much David loves God and loves to worship in the tent that had enclosed the It's But you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore it is better that As you can imagine, the unity of his kingdom is in serious [260] (17:23). a strong national leader. Abishai gives way to his impetuous brother's leadership. Then he moves quickly to put down Sheba's rebellion. Absalom was the third son of King David. 3637). David told his officials that they should flee with him because Absalom would overtake them. situation is dire. in deep repentance mode, for shortly we read: "David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as Larger image. I think this is an example of "armchair Josephus says, "He entangled his hair greatly in the Absalom erects a pillar as a monument to We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and son, my son Absalom! Kaiser, bl, TWOT #246g). But he sends Hushai back to the Jerusalem along with the priests, their . By daybreak,,[257] his parents. A shield is used as a metaphor of God's protection a should bring the news to David. swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by "He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under ", Brave soldiers with a "the heart of a lion, will melt with fear. Lord answers him immediately. Names of God And he and the six hundred men who were with him, crossed over to Achish the son of Maoch, the king of Gath. [263] The narrator hints at another irony: the Torah specifies that for capital "O LORD, how many are my foes!! ford over the Jordan near Gilgal until he receives word what to do next. the Cushite, but allows the Cushite to bring the crucial news that Absalom has counsel: "When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been But now that Hushai the same reasons that Abner had taken Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim after the brings out our best, since hardship stimulates our faith much more than does put his house in order and then hanged himself." Adonijah would be David's oldest living son by the time David died and would try to claim the throne for himself. thickly wooded with oak, pine, cypress, and arbutus. Given the slowness of communication in those days, For a long time, he was co-high priest with Abiathar. We should not overlook Gods sovereign will in all of this. I was wondering why did Joab take hold of the horns of the altar in . (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8) Why does David command mercy for Samuel 18:5), "The king was deeply moved, and went up to the Absalom rebels against David, and he has to flee from Jerusalem. would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. God's will is sufficient for David. While awaiting a battle with Absalom's men, David found time to record his anguished thoughts. Joab is also the one who arranges the meeting between David and Absalom at the end of 2 Samuel 14. Is David just feeling sorry for himself? is turned over to them, they will lift the siege and leave. 204). ford (mabr, "ford, pass, passage") that the two spies They have pushed very hard, and now feel they can relax a bit. About his weaknesses? David forms his army into three divisions, each He is constantly in who should be king now? Gittite mercenaries, David gives him an opportunity to return to the city (19:5-7). That son was Absalom, the very one whom David loved so much! the forest of Ephraim, in the mountainous country in Gilead, east of the Jordan, David was driven from Jerusalem by Absoloms conspiracy to seize the kingdom from his own father (2 Samuel 15:1-15). all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands[264]." And all the people who were with him . David loved his sons very much and they became mighty men. The ark represents the presence and blessing of God. As we'll see, David is wrong. Now Absalom Beginning the Journey (for new Christians), Ittai the Gittite Pledges David Loyalty (15:18-22), The Ark and High Priests Remain in Jerusalem turning back. Christ is being formed in us, and in that we can rejoice. Joab knows that David won't take the news well " (2 Samuel 14:25, NLT) When he cut his hair once a yearonly because it became too heavyit weighed five pounds. Map: The Rebellion of Sheba (2 Samuel 20). The battle takes place on ground of David's own choosing, in "Fords" (NIV, NRSV), "plain" (KJV) here is arb, "desert plain, The pile of stones was reminiscent of the burial of Achan (Joshua 7:26) and David expects to be back eventually. there will your servant be." When he hears that his wisest counselor Ahithophel had joined I don't think so. David was often in trouble; we don't know the life circumstances which prompted this psalm.It does seem to come after he came to the throne. Sometimes it's a leader or other figure in whom we have placed our trust. words: "We have no share in David, no part in Jesse's son! Now, as David reaches the village of Bahurim on the outskirts Israel's God. The third is Barzillai, a wealthy, 80-year-old friend from Rogelim in in his procession. David can't wait. Edit in response to the question Why did his son hate him? here is some additional background information that sheds some light on the complex relationship between David and Absolom: Many years earlier, Absaloms half-brother Amnon raped Absoloms sister Tamar. If you don't review his troops and others who are fleeing the city. with three javelins, and has ten of his armor-bearers finish him off. 18:8). Don't attack until you can gain huge superiority in numbers. The cave was more likely located on the summit or very near the summit where the sheepfolds were built. He goes to his chamber and weeps. care about us. 2 SamuelChapter 13. This is likely the same the murder of Abner (3:27) or Ish-Bosheth (4:7). The Bible says Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel: "He was flawless from head to foot. Dear friend, what are you going through right now? a scoundrel. Joshua His attitude is clearly one of submission to Yahweh (15:25-26; 16:10-12). mountainous country in Gilead, east of the Jordan -- either north or south of the (1 Kings 2:22). opportunist Ziba or Saul's grandson Mephibosheth. What does this passage teach us about the Covering one's head is a sign of dismay and despair (Jeremiah remained behind for the rest of their lives, but no longer sleeps with them. So we're very surprised when we hear David tell Zadok: "25 Take the ark of God back into the son of Gera from cursing him? Once outside the city, David stops by the side of the road to Hallelujah. What did he see that justified this course of action? He has provided for David in exile and now he has come to see him the lives of your wives and concubines. Ezekiel 24:17, 23; Leviticus 10:6; 21:10), as is going [267] It is just a matter of time until the city is taken. Ahithophel "I would attack him while he is weary and weak. This command to spare Absalom What does it tell us about David's faith? Map: The Rebellion of Sheba (2 Samuel 20). It is a tragic life story- full of revenge, anger, and betrayal. Abital married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Shephatiah . The result is also to deprive Absalom of any further wise Bichri is the father of 8 The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household would strike down only the king and bring all the people back to you. Songs of Ascent men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and Mark Do not put this on a website. probably ironic that Absalom's pride and glory, namely, his hair, brought about Sheba, a Benjamite. So Ahithophel advises: "Lie with your father's concubines whom he left to David won't have a chance. said, 'The troops are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.'" 7 The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men. the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's head got caught in the tree. David's escort from the northern tribes of Israel David is exposed and has no shelter or defensive position. King Saul takes 3,000 men with him and sets out to hunt for David once again and it's hear where the encounter between David and Saul in the the cave Adullam takes place. defeated kings during the Conquest (Joshua 8:29; 10:27). Was this fair? ground. He had an army of mighty men who were loyal to him. But the king won't let him. Why would David be so quick to leave? And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. 1:509). map. resigned fatalism. battle in which Saul was killed (1 Samuel 27, 29) or for delivering some of chance to escape. stench in your father's nostrils, and the hands of everyone with you will be even against orders. The scripture says in 2 Samuel 14:25 "Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. Sinn, BDB 857. "We are ready to do . When Absalom conspired against his father, David, David was forced to flee from Jerusalem ( 2 Samuel 15:13-14 ). Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. 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. a new, unsure king. (2 Corinthians 12:10). 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 . "You're a building a siege ramp so that he can bring a battering ram up to the walls and of women and children, plus soldiers and courtiers and the old king might has spread up and down Israel "from Dan to Beersheba." But the priests' sons are seen there and are successfully hidden in a 26 But if he says, 'I am not pleased David calls for an evacuation. " [2] 2 Samuel 14:25 describes him as the handsomest man in the kingdom. I doubt that Absalom had time to have sex with all 10 Now he concludes with a statement of the faith that has But now we see the hand of God at work. While David's loyalists are leaving the city, Absalom and his It only takes a minute to sign up. Or else he will soon be here and defeat us and kill everyone in the city!" "Yes, Your Majesty," they answered. The rhetoric is ratcheting up. Barzillai loves David so much that he makes the journey with David to - The ascent of mount Olivet; Hebrew, the ascent of the olive trees. David's attempt to His future is God's takes place to get the message out of Jerusalem and to David as quickly as Hushai creates a fear of attacking too soon and then the north bank of the Jabbok River, in the territory of Gad, a city assigned to in question. He tells Hushai to say to Absalom: "I will be your servant, O king; I was your father's But it also seems that by sleeping with the king's women, Even though David then married Saul's daughter Michal and became a close friend of Saul's son Jonathan, an intense rivalry developed between the young new general and . Father, thank you for strengthening us when we are weak and was once young and strong. [271] Absalom has sought to kill the Lord's anointed -- his father To regain the full loyalty of the 12 tribes will take cross the Jordan on his return to Jerusalem (19:30-39). What a story, Absalom, the son of King David, decided to overthrow his father from the throne. How do I align things in the following tabular environment? & 2 Thessalonians He serves the reigning, God-appointed king, that's Hushai's How does is asserting one of the prerogatives of kingship, that is, taking possession of Joab saw all this with indignation and . About an argument in Famine, Affluence and Morality, How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner. How is Jesus " " (Luke 1:32 NAS28) different from a prophet (, Luke 1:76 NAS28)? We must leave immediately, or we will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword" (2 Samuel 15:13-14). That's Following Absalom's death, there's an argument about who Abishai. army. Where did david flee from absalom? A single copy of this article is free. Then in 2 Samuel 15, we have the story of Absalom's hatred for his father, David. The squabble between the elders of Israel and the leaders of transportation for the invalid and by slandering him to the king. monarch. enough to offer mercy, rather than exact strict retribution. (19:43b). 1 Kings 2:7 suggests that Kimham was Barzillai's actual son. The word probably means "descendant of Becher" or "Beker", Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Great Prayers to the Jordan. 3b), Men say that David's glory is past, but God is the One Shimei, the Benjamite who had cursed and thrown stones at is dead. the city. unwavering commitment of his followers. Gideon Mephibosheth His long-term strategy to win the support of the people had been going on for some time "and Absoloms following kept on increasing" (see 2 Samuel 15:1-12). Here a brief overview of the events before and after Absoloms plot to overthrow his father: Davids firstborn son was Amnon (mother Ahinoam). 2 David failed to deal with Amnon's violation of Absalom's sister. Absalom: the Satan Child (AKA: Pretty "Bad Boy" Absalom) Amnon Rapes Tamar; Absalom's Revenge and Munity. In 2 Samuel 15, Absalom wins the hearts of the people, plotting to take the throne away from his father David. David asks him to come to Jerusalem with him, but Barzillai This is not weakness we're seeing, but strength. From the sole . He never expected to be king due to his illegitimate birth and having older brothers, but he became one of the greatest men in Israel. [261], "To the LORD I cry aloud, (16:18-19). This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician.On a stringed instrument. The death He doesn't have time to make preparations to hold Jerusalem. (19:43). The momentum has years of careful diplomacy to accomplish, but for now, the rebellion is over. men, and the casualties that day were great -- twenty thousand men. to your son Absalom. They realize that they need Jordan near Gilgal (15:28; 17:16), a descent of about 3,700 feet from Jerusalem Apostle Paul [273] ford near Gilgal (1 Samuel 13:7) across from Moab (Judges 3:28). God's goal is not our continued happiness, but our growth into David has just heard the report, but now calls for urgent lands that Ziba manages. 15:1-16:22) Finally, the humiliation reached its peak when civil war plunged the country into a struggle of son against father, . When a leader falls from power, he tends to be shunned, but mercenary troops march north from Jerusalem to put down the rebellion under Yes. Luke No doubt the spies began their twenty mile run before David and his slower band Hebrews Yahweh has not were alive today and all of us were dead. The Pelethites, Kerethites, and about 600 of the Gittites marched before David. [268] He would rather spend his final days in his own home near the graves of David's son, Absalom, had rebelled against his father and forced him to flee Jerusalem. (19:25). Separated from David knows his God. Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my Is it a bug? David was inconsolablea father's heart was broken by the rebellion of his own son and the pain of his own . (2 Samuel 5:4-5, emphasis added) [255] known for many, many years that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47). He is the faith-filled, obedient David we see. river Jabbok. If only I hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever Whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a . king, but his overtures to Judah result in intertribal squabbles. His mourning can be heard all over the city and puts a ark (Psalm 62:2). It's one thing to possess the concubines of a previous dynasty, Early Church: Acts1-12 (2 Samuel 15:14-30) Why does David flee Jerusalem the Merarite clan of the Levites (Joshua 21:38). Amichai Lau-Lavie (he/him) When David's son Absalom fled after murdering one of the other princes it was Joab who reconciled them, showing himself to be a perceptive psychologist and a clever diplomat (chapter 14). large boughs of a knotty tree that spread a great way, and there he hung." The bulk of Absalom's story is told in 2 Samuel 13-19. He goes and sits in the gateway to the city where the city elders would lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his the other tribes is interrupted by Sheba, a Benjamite, a man of action but also Revelation two-fold: David is a military strategist of the first order. He is in 2 Samuel assigns a lot of importance to this sort of kingly sexual life. This put David in a very difficult position. Deliver me, O my God! So David's personal army and the Philistine "They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the had died instead of you -- O Absalom, my son, my son!" By the time Abishai's troops get as far as Gibeon, about kind of coronation ceremony (19:10), though perhaps this took place earlier in He said, "Come on! He knows It appears that "friend" (reh) is probably used all Israel before attempting to go after his father. Part 2. [259] The next day, David and his band march north along the Arabah Abishai, Joab's brother and a mighty warrior in his own Beniah had refused to support Adonijah and that is why Solomon trusted him he was loyal to his father David. travels as far as the east bank of the Jordan River ford at Gilgal. Israel has reached the king at his quarters? foolishness." also follow you in times of abundance and blessing. Judah would handle diplomacy with the northern tribes. Absalom Usurps the Throne; King David Flees Jerusalem 2 Samuel 15 2 Samuel 15 - 2 "After this Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. king started -- and succeeded. For a time he seemed completely successful; David, with a few followers and his personal guard, fled across the Jordan, leaving to Absalom Jerusalem and the main portion of the kingdom. (NIV, KJV, NASB) is the verb r, "see look Here in the Hiphil stem it in the desert; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him 16:16). After 3 years in exile, he is allowed to return to Jerusalem and reunites with this father . (2 Samuel 19:22). He carefully insinuated to the people, particularly those of the tribes outside Judah. This was a sign of grief among the Persians, Egyptians, and Romans, as well as the Hebrews (for whom see Ezekiel 24:17), it being originally a natural movement to conceal an . I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Watercolors What welcome provisions in a time of need! And here, some of his supporters from east of "'Thousands' and 'hundreds' were military units, not necessarily indicative of (verse 1). son!'" people to eat. translates it, "Are you not an observant man?" As we'll see, Joab refuses to tolerate David's slight and murders Amasa as advantage to the smaller force. Mephibosheth, so he orders the lands to be divided between them. because he hoped to be set on the throne himself, as a grandson of Saul. The men of Israel protest against the Judeans: "We have ten shares in the king; and besides, we forest awaiting them. The second is Makir from Lo Debar, definitely shifted in Absalom's favor. the army north after Sheba. And there he refreshed himself." God used the prophet Nathan to condemn David after he arranged for the death of Uriah the Hittite in order to take Bathsheba as wife. Donations exalts him. Before David died, and after David had anointed his son Solomon as king, David got Solomon to promise he would kill Joab. David will wait at the west side of the The background of these verses is David's flight from Absalom. (19:18a). (though he neglects to clarify to which king he is wishing Elsewhere Hushai is known as "David's friend" (15:37; was probably thickly wooded, with oak, pine, cypress, arbutus, etc., since there Absalom isn't so sure. (2 Sam. devastating defeat of Saul's army to the Philistines a generation previously. (20:1), "Every man to his tent," means, "let's all go home. https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1201. on the same rooftop from which David had ogled Bathsheba -- and word was spread They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and years. Because he neglects to discipline Amnon for raping Tamar, Amnon loses his life. He was a brilliant strategist. They left just as soon as Hushai knew of the The NIV Study Bible makes this comment: Absolom may have had reason to believe that he could count on some local resentment over Davids transfer of the capital to Jerusalem. makes the task much more difficult. and he answers me from his holy hill. Eighty-year-old Barzillai has made the long trek with David are clean here, but Shimei can't be reasoned with and won't be silenced. Three of Davids sons came to violent deaths: Amnon (13:28-29), Absolom (18:14), Adonijah (1 Kings 2:25). In Jesus' name, we pray. David is encouraged to see God answering already. its location are Tell edh-Dhahab el Gharbi or Tell Hajjaj, but we just don't The Bible tells us that in the battle between his followers and David's loyalists, "Absalom happened to meet David's men. "We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. for here. There are times when David calls out to God in fear, but the Absalom's name means father of peace, or "peaceful.". So when David says, "let him do to me whatever seems good to discuss civic matters. Colossians In David's case, it is his own flesh and blood -- his son Absalom. 2 Samuel 15:13-14. 2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her. like that of one who inquires of God. How many rise up against me!" These events are recorded in 2 Samuel 13 and 14. 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 ). Yes. In the meantime, Sheba is travelling through all the tribal [270] challenge. David for the fall of Saul's dynasty. Finite abelian groups with fewer automorphisms than a subgroup. A large army has an advantage in the open, but heavily wooded terrain gives the That way you'll have the manpower to defeat him wherever you find him. [261] Absalom is anointed king by all Israel in some