The Death Of Absalom, David’s Son

Funerals are always tough, and with the passing of a person in our family, it is that much harder to bear. This is especially true when the person that has passed on to the grave happens to be one of our own children. These kinds of funeral services are very sad indeed, where there are not enough kleenexes to dry people’s eyes. It only brings some sort of hope into our one’s heart, that is grieving,i they knew that the person who died loved Jesus and was saved. This is sobering, but still hard since a person we deeply loved is no longer with us in this life. The same can be said for Absalom, whom David loved, but lost in a very gritty war. The way he died was very sad, but it all started because of his covetousness for David’s kingdom. He didn’t just want to wait around and do the king’s bidding, but wanted to first become the judge of the land, and then eventually the king. However, in his attempt to become king he did things that were not right in the sight of the people of Israel and God, where He was pretty much forcing His dad out of the equation. What is interesting in all of this, is that David’s love did not stop for his son. He wished that he would simply learn his lesson and then give up his wicked ways, but instead Absalom had to learn the heard way, that what he was doing was wrong. Yous during this war, ¹“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.” (2 Samuel 18:9,10) There he was hanging, but not dead yet, just waiting for someone to cut him down, that he may be free. Did this happen? You will find out next.

We will now look at how Absalsom’s life ended, which was very sad. It is recorded that Joab said, ¹“I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. (2 Samuel 18:14-16) David did ask his men not to harm his son, but they killed him anyways, which devastated him. Here is what happened soon after this. ¹“And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and 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!” (2 Samuel 18:32,33) Absalom meant the world to David and to know that he was dead was devastating. The people did not understand his love for his child, and people do not understand how this kind of loss affects us as parents as well. As it is must have been hard for David to see his son die, it will be even harder to know if our kids died in their unbelief with God. Therefore, keep pursuing your children with the truths of God. Pray for them and keep sharing the gospel, and maybe one day their hearts will turn to Jesus and be saved.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I love You and only wish that my children would love on You as well. May they come to know You like I have come to know You personally over the years. Shine down Your light upon me, that they may see You in me. Help me be an example of what it really means to be a Christian, that they will see Your love in me and want to know how to have this love in their lives also. I know that I can only be an example of the faith and try to raise them that way, but my daughters need to choose for themselves to give their lives to You. I just pray that they will see the need to trust in You and not just believe in You, because I do. I don’t want my kids to have faith simply because of their parent’s faith, but decide to have faith for themselves, which leads to salvation. So even at a young age, give them over to know what is right and wrong in Your sight. Help them not be confused with things, because the world teaches differently. May they know that what the Bible says is the true authority and if things go against what You have said, then it is wrong. All I wish is that they would want to know what You, and then follow You in faith. We only have such little time in this life before our life is up, so I pray that my daughters will give their heart, mind, and soul to following You before that time comes. It is my prayer that when their time does come, and then judgment awaits them, that they will be ready. Then, will there be only tears of joy to follow. For they are now with the king of glory forevermore. And I will be with them, for as believers, we are all made sons and daughters in Your kingdom. I also pray for my wife, that she will be with us in heaven also. I love You, Jesus. I trust in You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

2 Samuel 18

¹2 Samuel 18 (KJV)
1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds over them.
2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.
4 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And 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.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.
14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.
19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the Lord hath avenged him of his enemies.
20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
28 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.
29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
33 And the king was much moved, and 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!