2 Samuel 18 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Samuel 18 Short Summary:

In 2 Samuel 18, David and Absalom’s army meet in the forest of Ephraim. God gives David’s army the victory. Absalom gets his hair tangled in a tree branch and is left hanging in the forest. Joab kills him and throws his body into a pit. When David received the news that Absalom had died, he went to his room and wept over him.

2 Samuel 18 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

• David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

CHARACTERS:

• David – The second king over all Israel and Judah.

• Absalom – David’s son by Maacah (2 Sam 3:3). He killed his brother Amnon and betrayed David to steal the throne.

• Joab – A seasoned warrior in David’s army. He led a third of David’s army against the forces of Absalom.

• Ahimaaz – The son of Zadok the priest.

• A Cushite – A messenger who carried the news of Absalom’s death to David.

WHERE:

• The battle between David’s army and Absalom’s army was fought in the forest of Ephraim (18:6).

OUTLINE:

• DAVID’S ARMY FIGHTS WITH ABSALOM’S ARMY (18:1-8):

  • In preparation to fight with Absalom’s army, David divided his men into three groups and assigned each to one of three generals, Joab, Abishai, or Ittai.

  • David wanted to accompany the army, but his men refused. They considered him too valuable an asset to be risked on the battlefield.

  • David ordered the three generals to “deal gently” with Absalom for his sake.

  • The battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim.

  • David’s men were victorious, killing around 20,000 enemies.

• ABSALOM IS KILLED (18:9-18):

  • During the battle, Absalom’s mule went under a tree with low hanging branches. His hair was caught in the tree, but his mule continued walking. Absalom was left hanging in the branches by his hair.

  • One of David’s soldiers saw Absalom and reported it to Joab.

  • Joab asked the man why he didn’t kill Absalom when he had the chance. The man told him he was afraid to harm the king’s son, because he knew about David’s instruction.

  • Joab, disregarding David’s words, took 3 javelins and stabbed Absalom in the heart.

  • Then Joab’s armor-bearers struck the king’s son and killed him.

  • When Absalom was dead, the battle was called off.

  • Absalom’s body was thrown in a pit and covered with a large heap of stones.

• DAVID’S GRIEF OVER ABSALOM’S DEATH (18:19-33):

  • Joab sent messengers to David, the first was a Cushite, and the second was Ahimaaz, son of Zadok the priest.

  • Although the Cushite got a head start, Ahimaaz outran him and made it to David first.

  • Ahimaaz told David his army had been victorious, but he did not tell David about Absalom.

  • When the Cushite arrived, he told the king the fate of his son.

  • David was “deeply moved,” he went up to his chamber, and wept, saying, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

APPLICATION:

• There is a time for gentle correction and there is a time for firm judgement.

• David wanted to gently correct Absalom, but Joab believed firm judgement was needed to save the kingdom and prevent future problems.

• I think Joab was probably right.

• The same choice must be made in the Lord’s church.

• There are times when we need to gently correct someone who is in error or has made a mistake.

• There are other times when the situation calls for strong condemnation, perhaps even the exclusion of an individual from the fellowship of the Church.