Day 152 – Absalom’s Death

• The trilogy of readings about Absalom comes to its climatic conclusion today as we stay in 2 Samuel for all three readings and enjoy an exciting story of murder and misunderstandings. I hope you had fun reading it!
• 2 Samuel 18 opens with David sending out his men to chase after Absalom’s men. To keep David safe, the people urge him to stay at home, which he does, but make sure you see the words of David in 2 Samuel 18:5; David wants Absalom to be “dealt with gently”. Don’t forget Absalom is still David’s son. Does David make this command very clear to his commanders?
• How many people died in the initial battles? How did most people die? Are you shocked by the blood spilt over this unnecessary course of events?
• What rather amusing thing happens to the lusciously-haired Absalom? Does the first man to spot Absalom hanging from the tree kill him? Why not?
• What reaction does Joab have to the man not killing Absalom? You can read it in verse 11 onward. What does Joab and his men do instead? Why do you think Joab directly disobeyed David’s order not to kill his son?
• A messenger from the Cushite region is dispatched to tell David the news. Why do you think Ahimaaz was so keen to also run back and tell David too? You might also like to consider why Joab was less keen to send Ahimaaz first.
• Are you surprised by David’s reaction to the news of Absalom’s death in 2 Samuel 18:33? How did victory turned into mourning?
• In 2 Samuel 19 there is a sombre attitude in the city as the people see the king publicly mourning the death of his son. We soon see a very unhappy Joab, who rebukes David for his display of grief. Can you understand Joab’s point of view? Does he have a point? Did David start acting like a king again?
• David had fled Jerusalem a few chapters ago. The people are confused and divided, but they allow David to return to Jerusalem. What does David do in 2 Samuel 19:16-23 to help unify the county again?
• We re-read a portion of 2 Samuel 12 again today. Why? Is the prophecy of Nathan being fulfilled today?

The tale of Absalom is a sorry one, as indeed are all stories of family breakup, resentment, sin and revenge. As David grieved over his dead son, he must have considered the many events and decisions on his part that helped to contribute to this outcome.

His own sin with Bathsheba was probably in his mind. It’s important to remember that whilst David was forgiven by God about the affair he had with her, he still had to face the consequences. Sin needs punishing, even if forgiveness is granted. We should also be aware that our sin will face consequence on earth in this life, in many different forms. David’s grief today is partly because he loved his son, but may well be his understanding that this sorry situation is partly the fault of his weakness in the face of the tempting sight he saw on that evening stroll on his palace roof.

This, of course, brings us back to Jesus. In Jesus we are forgiven, wonderfully and fully, but the punishment still needed to be taken. That’s why Jesus went to the cross. He died in our place. He paid the debt that we could never do ourselves. The only man to ever life a sinless life took God’s anger for the sin of mankind upon his worthy shoulders… and he did it to bring us freedom and new life.