2 Samuel 18

King James Version

Full text for 2 Samuel Chapter 18

1¶ And David numbered the people that [were] with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.

2And 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.

3But 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.

4And 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.

5And 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.

6So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;

7Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand [men].

8For 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.

10And a certain man saw [it], and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

11And 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.

12And 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.

13Otherwise 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].

14Then 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.

15And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

16And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

17And 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.

18Now 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.

20And 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.

21Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.

22Then 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?

23But howsoever, [said he], let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

24And 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.

25And 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.

26And 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.

27And 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.

28And 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.

29And 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].

30And the king said [unto him], Turn aside, [and] stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.

31And, 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.

32And 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].

33And 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!

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King David prepares his army for battle against Absalom's forces, instructing his commanders to spare Absalom's life. The battle in the wood of Ephraim results in a great slaughter, where Absalom is caught in an oak and subsequently killed by Joab despite David's command. Messengers bring news of the victory to David, who, upon learning of Absalom's death, expresses profound grief.

Medium Summary

King David organizes his forces into three divisions under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, but is persuaded by his people not to join the battle directly due to his strategic importance. Before the engagement, David explicitly commands his captains to deal gently with his son Absalom. The ensuing battle in the wood of Ephraim leads to a decisive victory for David's men, with a significant loss of life among Absalom's followers, many perishing in the dense forest. Absalom himself is caught by his head in an oak tree while riding, and despite a man's reluctance to harm him due to the king's charge, Joab intervenes and kills Absalom with three darts, followed by his armor-bearers. Absalom's body is then cast into a pit and covered with a large heap of stones. Subsequently, two messengers, Ahimaaz and Cushi, race to inform David, with Cushi ultimately delivering the veiled news of Absalom's demise, which plunges David into deep sorrow and lamentation.

Long Summary

In preparation for the conflict against Absalom's rebellion, King David meticulously numbers his loyal followers and appoints captains over thousands and hundreds. He divides his army into three contingents, led by Joab, Abishai, and Ittai the Gittite. Though David initially intends to accompany his troops, his people earnestly dissuade him, asserting his life's immense value and suggesting he remain in the city to provide support. David acquiesces to their counsel and, before the army departs, issues a solemn charge to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai to deal gently with his son, Absalom, a command heard by all the people. The battle unfolds in the dense wood of Ephraim, where David's servants achieve a great victory, resulting in a slaughter of twenty thousand men; the treacherous wood itself claims more lives than the sword. During the engagement, Absalom, riding a mule, becomes entangled by his head in the thick boughs of a great oak, left suspended between heaven and earth. A man witnesses Absalom's predicament but refuses to strike him down, citing the king's explicit command to spare the young man and fearing David's retribution. Joab, however, swiftly intervenes, taking three darts and thrusting them through Absalom's heart while he is still alive in the oak, with ten young men completing the deed. After Absalom's death, Joab blows the trumpet, halting the pursuit of the fleeing Israelite forces. Absalom's body is then unceremoniously cast into a large pit in the wood, and a great heap of stones is laid upon it. The chapter notes Absalom's prior erection of a pillar in the king's dale, named after himself, to preserve his memory due to having no son. Following the battle, Ahimaaz desires to bring tidings to David, but Joab initially sends Cushi, knowing the grim news. Ahimaaz persists and is allowed to run, eventually outrunning Cushi. David anxiously awaits news by the city gate. Ahimaaz arrives first, announcing peace and the LORD's victory, but avoids direct mention of Absalom. Cushi then arrives and, upon David's direct inquiry about Absalom's safety, delivers the somber news by stating that the king's enemies should be as the young man is. Overwhelmed with grief, David withdraws to his chamber above the gate, weeping bitterly and repeatedly lamenting, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

Core Concepts

  • David's Strategic WithdrawalDavid is convinced by his people not to join the battle, recognizing his life's value as "worth ten thousand of us," thus ensuring his safety and continued leadership.
  • David's Paternal CompassionDespite Absalom's rebellion, David issues a clear command to his commanders to "deal gently" with the young man, highlighting his enduring love for his son.
  • The Wood of EphraimThis geographical location serves as the battleground where David's forces achieve a decisive victory, notably claiming more lives through its natural hazards than by the sword.
  • Absalom's Ignominious EndAbsalom meets a tragic and undignified death, caught by his head in an oak tree and subsequently killed by Joab, contrary to David's wishes, before being buried under a heap of stones.
  • Joab's Pragmatic DisobedienceJoab, prioritizing the swift end to the rebellion and the stability of David's reign, directly disobeys the king's command to spare Absalom, demonstrating his ruthless effectiveness as a military commander.
  • The Messengers' RaceAhimaaz and Cushi's race to deliver news to David illustrates the tension and anticipation surrounding the battle's outcome, with Cushi ultimately delivering the painful truth about Absalom.
  • David's Profound GriefUpon learning of Absalom's death, David is overcome with intense sorrow, expressing a deep, lamenting desire to have died in his son's place, revealing the depth of his paternal love despite Absalom's treachery.