2 Samuel 18:9-18
9 Now Absalom encountered the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the branches of a massive oak. Then his head caught firmly in the oak, and he was left hanging between the sky and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going.
10 When a certain man saw him, he informed Joab and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”
11 Then Joab said to the man who had informed him, “So behold, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? And it would have been my duty to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt.”
12 But the man said to Joab, “Even if I were to receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for me!’
13 Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have avoided me.”
14 Then Joab said, “I will not waste time here with you.” So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him.
16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people.
17 And they took Absalom and threw him into a deep pit in the forest, and erected over him a very large pile of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his own tent.
18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a memorial stone, which is in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to continue my name.” So he named the memorial stone after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.
The Death of Absalom
Absalom caught in the oak
Absalom followed Hushai’s advice and led the entire army into battle himself. (1) While riding his mule through the forest, his head got caught in the thick branches of a large oak tree, and he was left hanging in midair. (2) A soldier saw this and reported it to General Joab. (3) Joab rebuked him, asking why he had left Absalom alone, saying that if he had killed him, he would have given him a reward (ten pieces of silver and a belt) and promoted him. (4) However, the soldier replied that he had acted in obedience to David’s command and had done nothing wrong. (5) Leaving that soldier behind, Joab immediately went straight to Absalom and thrust a spear into his heart while he was still hanging in midair. (6) Then ten of Joab’s armor-bearers joined in and struck Absalom, killing him on the spot. Here again, Joab’s brutal nature is revealed. The soldier who obeyed David’s command was the one in the right. He had said, “Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king).” We too should have the same reverent fear toward Jesus Christ, the King of kings, that this soldier had toward his king.
Burial of Absalom
With Absalom’s death, the battle was over. (1) When Joab blew the ram’s horn to signal the end of the fighting, the soldiers returned. (2) Prince Absalom, who had once prided himself on his beauty, was now in a wretched state and was thrown into a deep pit. Over him, a large heap of stones was piled. This was done to disgrace the dead (ref. Joshua 7:26). (3) Absalom had set up a monument for himself during his lifetime in the “King’s Valley” near Jerusalem. Because his three sons had died at a young age, he erected this pillar himself. This monument came to serve as his grave. Young people should learn a lesson from Absalom’s death. Those who rebel against the Lord, attack His anointed, or dishonor their parents will reap such tragic consequences. The only thing that can save us from such errors is “the wisdom that comes from the fear of the Lord.”
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please grant me wisdom. Let me learn a lesson from Absalom’s failure. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.