In chapter 17, we saw the stage set for the battle between the forces of Absalom and the forces of David. Chapter 18 gives a very brief description of the battle and then shows us the aftermath.
This shows us that the focus of the writer is not the battle. The focus is on the fate of Absalom. Later the focus will be on David’s reaction to it.
David Organizes For Battle
18:1-4
Knowing the forces of Absalom were coming for him, David prepared for the battle by organizing the forces who were with him. First, he appointed commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. This tells us that he had an army of considerable size, many thousands.
Second, David divided the army into three parts under three different leaders. We might call them the generals. His cousin Abishai is listed first. He went with David as he fled from Jerusalem.
Next was Joab, the brother of Abishai and also a cousin of David. Joab was the leader of the army under David, but was replaced with Amasa by Absalom. He had always been loyal to David. He probably had a personal score to settle with Absalom after being removed from his position.
Third was Ittai the Gittite, a foreigner who had come to David the day before David fled and who accompanied David on the journey. He was an experienced military leader and had brought 600 of his own men with him.
These three men were great warriors in their own right as well as experienced leaders. All three were very loyal to David. Dividing the army into three parts allowed them to attack Absalom’s forces head on as well as from both flanks.
David wanted to go into battle with his men, but they convinced him to stay behind. Some men evidently stayed behind with him, so he could come to their aid if the army had to retreat. But, the primary reason seemed to be a desire to protect David as the high value target. He was worth ten thousand of them, they said.
David Seeks Protection For Absalom
18:5
Despite all that Absalom had done to David, David sought his protection. He ordered all of the commanders, and especially the top three leaders, to “deal gently” with his son. Again, David seemed unable to deal forcefully with his sons, no matter how wayward they were.
Absalom Defeated
18:6-8
The description of the battle is minimal. David’s forces defeated Absalom’s forces and they scattered. Absalom’s forces suffered great losses, 20,000 men, as the battle raged over the valley and the forest. This is such a monumental battle, yet only three verses are devoted to it.
The Death Of Absalom
18:9-15
Absalom fled the battle when he saw that he had lost. His mule ran him under a tree and his head stuck in the crook of some branches. The mule went on without him, so he was stuck hanging in a tree.
There may be some symbolism here. The mule is the royal mount and the mule has left him.
One of Joab’s men saw Absalom hanging there and told Joab. Joab was exasperated that the man did not kill Absalom, even stating that he would have paid the man for it.
The man was wise, however. He said he would not do it for any payment because he heard the king command Joab and the other commanders to protect Absalom. He also said (and this was bold) that he knew Joab would not say anything in his defense when the king found out what he had done.
Joab did not answer the man’s accusation, but said he didn’t have time for the discussion. He took three spears, gathered 10 young men who were his armor bearers, and went to find Absalom. He then stabbed Absalom with his three spears and had his 10 armor bearers hack Abslaom to death. It was a gruesome death.
The End Of The War
18:16-17
Absalom’s army was defeated and fled from David’s army. Once Absalom was killed, Joab called off the pursuit of the defeated army. This was a wise move. It created a greater opportunity for David to win back the support of those who had supported Absalom. Joab was a wise man, but a violent one.
Joab’s men buried Absalom in a pit and covered him with stones. The survivors of Absalom’s army fled to their own homes. It was a voluntary force as opposed to a full time professional force. They hoped they would not be found and killed if they went home.
The author ended this part of the story with a juxtaposition (comparison) to illustrate a point. Absalom, in his pride, had erected a pillar in honor of himself. It came to be called Absalom’s monument. In contrast, he was buried with no honor in an unmarked grave in the forest.
Takeaways
Notice the portrayal of the characters: Absalom is central, Joab is dominant, and David is passive.
Although Absalom is central, he is not in control. He does not speak.
He does not act; he is acted upon.He is killed, which was the punishment that should have been given when he killed his brother. He is emblematic of all who set themselves against God’s will: God will triumph over all his enemies.
If any human is in control, Joab is. He dominates this story and the following ones. He accomplishes God’s will in protecting David and punishing Absalom.
David is king, but David is not in control. He does not participate in the battle. His orders regarding Absalom are ignored.
God protects his chosen king, David, although David is mostly passive in these events.
God continues to work, keeping his covenant with David, and protecting the line of David from whom will come the Christ.
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