II Samuel 14:1- Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom.
The bible doesn't tell us why Joab was so keen to have Absalom come back. But, he went through a lot of trouble to get David to concede to bring Absalom home.
II Samuel 14:2-3- And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
Joab brought a wise woman to talk to the king. She told the king that her husband was dead and that she had two sons. The sons got into a fight and the one killed the other. She asked the king to spare the murderer son so that her family could continue on. David was moved with compassion by this story and sware to her that her son wouldn't be killed for his transgression.
II Samuel 14:13- And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.
The woman then asked the king why he didn't bring Absalom home. If he were willing to forgive her child whom he had never met, why wouldn't he forgive his son whom he loved?
King David was a wise man. He figured out what was going on.
II Samuel 14:19- And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:
The woman told David that Joab was the one who sent her to talk to him. So, the king called Joab and told him that he could tell Absalom to come home.
II Samuel 14:23- So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
Even though David allowed Absalom to come home, he wouldn't see him. He had forgiven him enough to have him home, but he was still too upset to associate with him.
II Samuel 14:28-29- So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
After two years, Absalom had had enough. He wanted Joab to talk to the king for him, but Joab wouldn't come see Absalom. Absalom set Joab's fields on fire. He destroyed his crop, and this made Joab come talk to Absalom.
Absalom wanted Joab to tell the king that it would be better for him to remain in banishment than to sit in his home town without being able to see his father. He said that he would rather David killed him than treat him this way.
II Samuel 14:33- So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
Everything seemed to be going well. But, David hadn't completely paid for his sin. He said that the payment would be four fold, and now that Absalom was home it was only three fold.
Even though David had forgiven Absalom, it seemed that there was some hatred in Absalom's heart for his father. David should have had Amnon killed for hurting his sister, but David had allowed him to live. In fact, we don't read anywhere in the Bible where David punished Amnon for his trespass. And this would certainly upset Absalom.
Absalom decided that he would be a better king than David. So, he got chariots and horsemen to run before him when he went anywhere. And he sat in the gate of the city and made himself a judge. Slowly, he began to win the hearts of the people while planting the idea in their heads that he would make a just king if they would have him.
II Samuel 15:6- And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
When Absalom was 40 years old he put his plan into action. He told David that he needed to go to Hebron to pay a vow that he had made. But, he was lying. David didn't see that he was lying and told him to go.
II Samuel 15:10- But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
Absalom set himself up as king in Hebron. He was going to amass an army and attack Jerusalem. He was willing to kill his father and take the throne by force.
II Samuel 15:13-14- And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
David didn't want a war. He knew innocent people would die if a battle started. So, David gathered his family and those who were loyal to him and they left the capitol city.
David had a few faithful men that he left to see what Absalom would do and to report to him.
II Samuel 15:23, 30- And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
As David went he was met by both friend and foe along the way. His friend, Ziba, brought food for his family. But, he told lies about Mephibosheth- Jonathan's son. Ziba was hoping that whoever won, he and his sons would get Saul's inheritance. If Mephibosheth was disloyal to David, then maybe David would slay him?
Shimei was the foe. He came out and started throwing rocks and David and his family and cursing him. He said that this happened because David had taken Saul's throne by war. We know that God had given David the throne, but Shimei didn't see it that way.
David's mighty men wanted to go kill Shimei for this, but David said "no". David said that maybe the Lord would bless him if he ignored Shimei's rantings. I'm sure this pleased the Lord, because He wants us to bless our enemies. David was certainly a man after God's own heart!
David went to hide in the wilderness while Absalom set up himself in Jerusalem. Now began the war talk. Absalom had received counsel to take the soldier's that he had with him in the city and follow David that night and kill him. But, one of David's loyal friends wanted to give David more time. So, he counseled that Absalom take the time to amass an army before going after David.
Absalom liked this idea. While he was gathering his army, David's friend sent a warning to David.
II Samuel 17:17-20- Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
The loyal spies went to tell David the news. They were almost caught by Absalom's guard, but a brave woman helped them escape.
II Samuel 17:24-26- Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother. So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
This was truly becoming a family battle. King David was being fought against by his son and his nephew. David hoped that not too many lives would be lost, but I think he knew in his heart that there would be a terrible loss.
Again, David was met by friends- Shobi, Machir, and Brazillai, brought David and his family beds and food. Even though David was being chased by someone who wanted to kill him, he still found that God sent friends along the way to comfort and encourage him. David was never far from the Lord's protection.
David numbered his soldiers. He wanted to lead them into battle, but the people refused. They knew that if David died that Absalom would take over. They wanted to win the battle, but also to win with their king still on the throne. So, David stayed behind while Joab and Abishai led the army.
II Samuel 18:5- 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.
David asked the army that if it were possible Absalom would not be killed.
II Samuel 18:6, 8- So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; 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.
Again, the Lord was helping David's army in the battle. More people died from accidents in the woods than from the soldiers.
Absalom had one thing that the bible mentions specifically. It seemed he was very prideful about his looks. He let his hair grow out long and only cut it once a year.
II Samuel 14:25-26- But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
Do you remember someone else who the bible says was prideful about his beauty? The Bible says that Satan was very proud that God made him beautiful. Absalom had the same sin as Satan! And this pride was going to cost him.
II Samuel 18:9- 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.
Absalom went under a tree and his long hair got tangled around the branches of the tree. He was yanked off his mule and held captive by the object of his vanity.
A soldier went and told Joab where to find Absalom. Joab had hoped that the soldier would have killed Absalom, but the soldier said that he knew David wanted him alive. Joab didn't care. Perhaps he was mad that Absalom was able to accomplish this because it was he who had fought to bring Absalom home from his banishment. We don't know. But, Joab didn't want Absalom to live.
II Samuel 18:14-15- 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. And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
Joab and ten of his men killed Absalom while he was tangled up. Then, they threw his body into a pit and covered it with stones.
II Samuel 18:16- And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
David's army wanted to keep fighting, but Joab knew that the battle was over and there needed not to be any more killing. He called his soldiers off and sent a message back to David.
II Samuel 18:24, 31-32- 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. 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. 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.
David knew that meant that Absalom was dead. He had now paid the four fold that was required for his sin. His sin took only a few weeks for him to commit, but it took years for him to repay!
II Samuel 18:33- 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!
