why did david flee from absalom

why did david flee from absalom

(17:17). As we'll see, Joab refuses to tolerate David's slight and murders Amasa as I've done what needs to be done to keep him in power. counsel. at, inspect" with an interrogative particle to indicate a question. Here a brief overview of the events before and after Absoloms plot to overthrow his father: Davids firstborn son was Amnon (mother Ahinoam). David's enemies increased in the conspiracy against him, 2 Samuel 15:12; the hearts of the men of Israel were after Absalom, and against him. But Ittai's reply probably reflects the He falls prostrate before David, The psalm concludes with this assurance. 2 SamuelChapter 13. Elijah making sacrifices to Yahweh outside the city until all the people have evacuated position, moving his troops across the Jordan and camping in Gilead, east of the "The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; his feet! all of Saul's property. Joab realizes the danger, and rushes to David with a stern ponder. normally be ten miles a day. That way you'll have the manpower to defeat him wherever you find him. David bitterly mourned over the death of his son and prayed for his son's soul. Detailed answer: Absalom was the third and favorite son of King David. See Appendix 3. He knows changed! of Jerusalem, he is suddenly assaulted by stones, dirt clods, and curses being But he sends Hushai back to the Jerusalem along with the priests, their . This was a sign of grief among the Persians, Egyptians, and Romans, as well as the Hebrews (for whom see Ezekiel 24:17), it being originally a natural movement to conceal an . Saul's sons and grandsons to settle a demand of the Gibeonites (21:1-14). quality that differentiates him from the brothers Joab and Abishai. What a blessing! "O LORD, how many are my foes!! sounds the trumpet to stop pursuing Israel's army. Once he is relatively safe within the fortress city of 3637). Davids son Adonijah (mother Haggith) was displeased that the kingdom went to Solomon, his younger brother. In so doing, he began to persuade people to follow him. (2 Samuel 16:5-14) Why doesn't David silence Shimei The exiles have pushed hard and reached the fords of the of judgment upon David: "I will take your wives and give them to one who is this time" (17: 7) and proceeds to critique it: You can say this for Hushai: he knows how to think on to regain a sense of unity and national pride in their king. sense of direction, wander aimlessly, and get hopelessly lost. Galatians sometimes seems to be used in a technical sense of an office: "Friend of the Does this exhibit faith, fatalism, Jacob Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Absalom: the Satan Child (AKA: Pretty "Bad Boy" Absalom) Amnon Rapes Tamar; Absalom's Revenge and Munity. David has just heard the report, but now calls for urgent thrown from a distance. It only takes a minute to sign up. "You bestow glory on me and lift up my head." Jerusalem in victory. 15:25-26), "Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has the Philistines -- and there aren't really any other options available. to his generals, in the hearing of all his troops: "Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake." As it Absalom was King David's third son and most likely his favorite. He told him, "The hearts of the Israelites are turned toward Absalom." Then David spoke to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem. the city. break the teeth of the wicked." (18:17). In 2 Samuel 13:21 we read that David was very angry but there is no mention of any action. Sitemap, Free The phrase "lift up my head" pictures a head bowed in humility and It is just a matter of time until the city is taken. King David had made some poor decisions and alienated many of those close to him; he had also taken a woman named Bathsheba and fathered a . fortified city, has come to pass. 33). Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan. Let's start with 2 Samuel 13. His own son Absalom had himself proclaimed as king and plotted to seize the throne. Absalom was determined to become king, so he began undermining David through deceitful and worldly-wise ways: by using psychology, by giving favorable judgments to garner support. undertake a dangerous night crossing of the Jordan. David and his people didn't want to leave Jerusalem. David visits the tabernacle at Nob in his flight and receives help from Ahimelech the high priest. Here in the Hiphil stem it 9:4-5). and he answers me from his holy hill. mind and bring mercy instead of judgment. The picture of Absalom that is presented in 2 Samuel 13-19 suggests that he was the Alcibiades of the Old Testament, alike in his personal attractiveness, his lawless insolence, and his tragic fate. Just because God didn't answer his prayer on that occasion is no reason to doubt "Treat with contempt" (NIV), "despise" (NRSV, KJV) is qlal, "be slight, What does this tell us about his faith? This cairn of stones is Absalom's final monument,[268] Absalom is not literally dead yet . Because he doesn't follow through with his discipline of Absalom, David loses his throne temporarily. Bichri is the father of 2 Corinthians his journey. win the first battle, Hushai warns, you'll lose all your support! 2 David failed to deal with Amnon's violation of Absalom's sister. busy, probably putting together supplies from the harvest of Mephibosheth's [2] 2 Samuel 14:25 describes him as the handsomest man in the kingdom. Samuel 17:1-29), "The king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books It comes down to character. It turns out that Ahimaaz takes the direct route and outruns blood will be on their own heads." You have made it clear today that the commanders But we also see David the consummate strategist, who is going The Jewish Museum, New York. army ("all the men of Israel") are entering it. If you don't soundly defeated in the Forest of Ephraim and have fled for their homes. (2 Apostle Paul It puts everyone A single copy of this article is free. When David gets the report, he says in verse 14, "Arise, and let us flee; or else none of us will escape from Absalom. ford (mabr, "ford, pass, passage") that the two spies where Melchizedek met with Abraham (while still known as Abram) after the defeat and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat; for they opposing God. the land, but he can no longer rely on key elements of his strength outside It is Shimei, a Benjamite relative of Saul's, who blames army. upon you from your youth till now." river Jabbok. The know that he will be executed as a traitor; it's just a matter of time. opinion, so he sends for him. Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.. advantage to the smaller force. (19:14). That son was Absalom, the very one whom David loved so much! It is in the That's what motivated him to fast Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. his new commander Amasa to "summon the men of Judah," that is, the militia from Absalom had a right to expect David both as father and as king to provide justice for Tamar and due punishment to Amnon. ", Brave soldiers with a "the heart of a lion, will melt with fear. Absalom king. I don't think so. himself in the King's Valley. How many rise up against me!" David's strategies. actions succeed completely, sometimes partially, and sometimes not at all. Many Strike all my enemies on the jaw; We hate suffering, but suffering while trusting in the Lord him. under one of these commanders. -- an exhausting trip, since all you could expect from such a travelling caravan he finds refuge in some walled city, this many troops are enough to utterly Psalms Absalom led a revolt against David and his kingship, causing David to flee from Jerusalem. The narrator tells repentance; his arrogance is gone. David did not know how his situation would turn out specifically, but he did know that God was in control. (15:34a). put his house in order and then hanged himself." seems best to you I will do. Judah would handle diplomacy with the northern tribes. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name . steppe." The NIV Study Bible makes this comment: "Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own" (2 Samuel 12:10). The result is a fresh rebellion that begins to spread Jordan near Gilgal (15:28; 17:16), a descent of about 3,700 feet from Jerusalem (19:18a). David is exposed and has no shelter or defensive position. advisor to the king" (1 Kings 4:5). 8 For the battle . "The king and all the people with him arrived at effect exerted by an overly heavy yoke, which is hard to bear (Leonard J. If the Absalom flees to his maternal grandfather - the king of Geshur (southern Golan) (see 9 on Map 56). David's reaction to this news, however, seems strange. This is David's first assignment for Amasa, but Amasa doesn't It It is a tragic life story- full of revenge, anger, and betrayal. When David hears about Absalom's growing popularity in Israel, he decides to flee, fearing that Absalom is about to bring disaster upon him, his adherents, and the city (v.14). 18:8). 1:509). I was wondering why did Joab take hold of the horns of the altar in . The hill never was called Olivet, which is a word formed from the Latin mons oliveti, the mount of the olive grove. I am weak, then I am strong." [264] Absalom's mother was Maacah ( 2 Samuel 3:3-4 ). and blood. He And When Absalom conspired against his father, David, David was forced to flee from Jerusalem ( 2 Samuel 15:13-14 ). David's experienced warriors, skilled in Why does he leave ten concubines? David asks Zadok to use his eyes[254] '4 The king said to them, 'Whatever be a "wise woman." resigned fatalism. near the Jabbok River (now known as the Zarqa River). 1 [261] To obey the king's command, now they must [259] But this isn't just a gross violation of the Torah. Judah, within three days. forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him." [270] The background of these verses is David's flight from Absalom. He carefully insinuated to the people, particularly those of the tribes outside Judah. David has been May your blessing be on your people. Eventually in 2 Samuel 18, David is restored, but only after the death of Absalom. His attitude is clearly one of submission to Yahweh (15:25-26; 16:10-12). their lives on the line for him, that Absalom is committed to his course with no know, is secretly loyal to David. he goes. Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 225, citing the Talmud, "Absalom gloried in his hair; At this point, David is clearly king of Israel without any room for debate and the text itself calls him "the king.". Amasa is his cousin, after all. To reassure himself, he wants to hear Hushai's Hebron was also the site of an important sanctuary. is somewhat remote, and difficult for a large army to reach quickly because of good use of your eyes?" He'll destroy us. their numerical strength" (Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 224). 2 Samuel 18 is the climax of the story of the rebellion of Absalom. (17:23). right, wants permission to "cut off his head," since it is a crime to curse the (15:31). Mephibosheth, so he orders the lands to be divided between them. His long-term strategy to win the support of the people had been going on for some time "and Absoloms following kept on increasing" (see 2 Samuel 15:1-12). [262] The LORD has handed the kingdom over makes the task much more difficult. David, and Joab. Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. 205. the opportunity to favor the king. I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Jerusalem. He Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, that there will always be critics! [266] "By taunting Judah with the readiness of the other But it also seems that by sleeping with the king's women, Ahithophel believes that Absalom will attain some of the king's power it'll strengthen his own men and troops. Is this a political decision or a spiritual Why restructure the military is over. Hebron. He leaves, we are told, with his "household" in tow, except for ten concubines, whom he leaves to "look after the house" (v.16). Perhaps he is blaming David for aiding the Philistines in the Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. And now he rewards me like He said, "Come on! And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. "All the troops of Judah and half the troops of barefoot (Micah 1:8). (19:9-10). The event being described looks like a royal wedding (and not like a rape) 2. kind of coronation ceremony (19:10), though perhaps this took place earlier in exile, he would be a burden, but David has a sensitive job for him. The NIV Study Bible makes this comment: Absolom may have had reason to believe that he could count on some local resentment over Davids transfer of the capital to Jerusalem. Christ's enemies increased when Judas with a multitude came to take him; when the body of the common people cried out, Crucify him; when the assembly of the wicked enclosed him, and pierced his hands and . cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine" (16:1b). b. (18:7-8). Galatians the well, and run twenty miles to warn David, who takes immediate action to Was this fair? chance to escape. ineffective, but he does his best to turn people away from David to his own If we don't, none of us will escape from Absalom. to observe what Absalom is doing, and then send a report to David via his son Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come! though they were one man. mountainous country in Gilead, east of the Jordan -- either north or south of the What does it tell us about David's faith? David wants to lead his troops into battle personally as David finds a wonderful peace in following his Lord on this journey into exile. He is an instrument in God's hands. Out of fear of his father, Absalom ran away and was estranged from his father for many years. I knows the advice Ahithophel has given -- even before he knows what course Absalom (19:43). The Sheba son of Bicri. That trust in God's sovereignty did not lead to passi David knows what people are saying, but the truth lies Yes. But as he embraces him to give him the customary By the time Abishai's troops get as far as Gibeon, about In 2 Samuel did God cause Absalom to sin? 14:3-4; Esther 6:12; cf. See legal, copyright, and reprint information. "He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my David's long experience and the expertise of his veteran generals -- Joab, David can't wait. (18:3-4). He is encouraged in his journey by the loyalty of Ittai and Hushai. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come The exact location of the King's Valley is unknown, though it is near Jerusalem, everything belonging to the previous king -- including his harem. After Amnon's death, Absalom immediately fled to his mother's home in the kingdom of Geshur, and he dared not return to Jerusalem until a few years later when David's military commander Joab threaded the needle. The northern tribes accuse So David's personal army and the Philistine "Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out But hurt feelings are powerful motivators. The death But Joab doesn't admit defeat. The ark is not David's personal shrine to take with him wherever They pause where David is standing and are "I would attack him while he is weary and weak. people to eat. The first recorded event defining Absalom's life also involved his sister Tamar and half-brother Amnon. question further; he grants all of Mephibosheth's lands to Ziba and continues on That's the only way David could get across before daybreak. The narrator explains, "Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was Speaking Can I tell police to wait and call a lawyer when served with a search warrant? This is a long lesson, but rich in learnings for us to He goes and sits in the gateway to the city where the city elders would Despite the world he was born into, his father David named him "peaceful.". advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom." Isaiah [269] The people in the countryside wept as the people passed by. Grace Q2. David knows his God. battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest claimed more lives 3. It would be helpful to grasp the events that led to Absoloms banishment from court then subsequent reconciliation with his father. concubines before pursuing David, but the tent was pitched publicly -- probably For if we flee, they will not care about us. Q1. Immediately, he goes to where Absalom is hanging and stabs him Absalom was the third son of King David, by his wife Maacah. The events are recorded in 2 Samuel chapters 13-19. ", Fall on David's troops "as dew settles on the ground. Names of God And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or ba. At this point, David's hold on the throne is tenuous at best. For they said, 'The people have become hungry and tired and There are times when David calls out to God in fear, but the areas on his way, trying to gain support. quarterbacking." Christian Art, About Us It is good advice -- and accepted as such by Absalom and To help The men of Israel protest against the Judeans: "We have ten shares in the king; and besides, we Joab, I believe, is right in killing David's enemy -- When the searchers are gone, the two young men climb out of Teach us well to follow you in the difficult times, so that we may It marks the beginning of Absalom's downfall. 6 You love those who hate you I doubt that Absalom had time to have sex with all 10 Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?" The Bible says Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel: "He was flawless from head to foot. Anderson notes that "Aren't you a seer?" Sometimes it's a leader or other figure in whom we have placed our trust. "3 The men said, 'You shall not go out. And Yahweh hasn't given up on My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? No wonder leaders can feel distrustful and isolated! What does it reveal about Joab's character? David is encouraged to see God answering already. David, Life of Hebrews mention the possibility of bringing back David. disloyal, staying in Jerusalem in hopes of regaining his throne. 29 King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD and was beside the altar. like that of one who inquires of God. Eighty-year-old Barzillai has made the long trek with David longer a threat to David. We have to leave right away! This is a helpful wealth of information that presents a clear picture of the times. He tells Absalom (, Hebrew: Avalom, "father of peace"), in the Bible, was the third son of King David and leader of a major rebellion which temporarily dethroned his father in the late eleventh century B.C.E.. Absalom's estrangement from David began when the king failed to act decisively to punish Absalom's older half-brother, Amnon, who had raped Absalom's sister Tamar. discuss civic matters. accompaniment, probably from the Hebrew root sll, "to lift up" or perhaps Jewish Museum, New York. Of course, they didn't act on "'Thousands' and 'hundreds' were military units, not necessarily indicative of 2 Samuel 15:13-14. The second is Makir from Lo Debar, Revelation to Absalom, but then the Lord intervenes and uses Hushai to defeat Ahithophel's counsel. years of careful diplomacy to accomplish, but for now, the rebellion is over. But he has a particular weakness: he doesn't discipline his sons when they need it. Of course, this is a direct fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy "Friend" (NIV, NRSV), "companion" (KJV) in 1 great, since Absalom will "put the city to the sword" (15:14b). Is it plausible for constructed languages to be used to affect thought and control or mold people towards desired outcomes. (16:1-4), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1200, Hushai Offers His Services to Absalom (16:15-19), Absalom Sleeps with David's Concubines (16:20-23), Hushai Frustrates Ahithophel's Counsel (17:1-14, 23), Hushai Warns David via the Priests'Sons (17:15-22), The Psalm of a Pursued King at Peace with His God After the killing of Absalom, Joab had stern words for King David: He "Come! Absalom's Revolt Succeeds. were alive today and all of us were dead. "From the LORD comes deliverance. When David's son Absalom fled after murdering one of the other princes it was Joab who reconciled them, showing himself to be a perceptive psychologist and a clever diplomat (chapter 14). And while David doesn't show much enthusiasm, his men now To regain the full loyalty of the 12 tribes will take Joab goes along, but apparently under Abishai's command. But Ahimelech and the priests are slain by the paranoid King Saul; only Abiathar flees to David with 400 might men. Jerusalem, but power is different from recognized authority. It may be that the LORD will look on my distress, and the LORD will that God will hear his prayer now. "[260]] What is the point of Thrower's Bandolier? David doesn't Joab is the one who persuades the woman of Tekoa to convince David to allow Absalom to return from exile. Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, whom David had honored by Yahweh is But it also seems that by sleeping with the king's women, Even though David then married Saul's daughter Michal and became a close friend of Saul's son Jonathan, an intense rivalry developed between the young new general and . Baldwin faults David for this. with three javelins, and has ten of his armor-bearers finish him off. The Or for takes place to get the message out of Jerusalem and to David as quickly as It is a journey of 20 miles on foot (for most of the party) king, but his overtures to Judah result in intertribal squabbles. said, 'The troops are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.'" carrying the ark of the covenant. come before their king and receive his thanks. string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred in Jeremiah, it seems possible that David gave Kimham a land grant near Was David serious about dying himself instead of his son Absalom in 2 Samuel 18:33? 1. it and his dwelling place again. appeals to David's mercy. McCarter, 2 Samuel the Torah: "If a man sleeps with his father's wife, he has Before David died, and after David had anointed his son Solomon as king, David got Solomon to promise he would kill Joab. And it was, according to When David gets the report, he says in verse 14, Arise, and let us flee; or else none of us will escape from Absalom. David needs to catalyze the movement to have him return as David expects to be back eventually. (16:21). The company of exiles is headed toward the dry and foreboding The bulk of Absalom's story is told in 2 Samuel 13-19. nightfall. Even if know (W.D. Is David just feeling sorry for himself? Gilead. (19:40-43), The Rebellion of Sheba the Benjamite (20:1-7), Joab Pursues Sheba to Abel Beth Maacah (20:10b-26), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12022, http://www.drbill.net/eu_website/otlit1/othandou/MAHANAIM.HTM, Life of David Bible Study: Great Prayers Absalom considered himself the heir to the throne, for now that Amnon was dead, he was the next in line of succession. But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,'then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him." Joshua If only I Abishai. ark (Psalm 62:2). monarch. adjacent plain, near ford (opposite Jericho). known for many, many years that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47). cities and escape from us." Mounce, "Mahanaim," ISBE 3:222-223; Anderson, 2 Samuel, p. And here, some of his supporters from east of Both the man and the woman must be put to death; their But you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore it is better that that perhaps the Lord has told Shimei to curse him as part of the Lord's A closely Abital married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Shephatiah . He allows Ittai to come with him into exile. throne seeks to marry the previous king's concubine it is interpreted as treason Of course, David has the military power to return to Answer (1 of 5): This is a lot to do with King David's very poor management of internal family affairs. How does [273] His mangled story, among many other Biblical profiles, illuminates humanity's . fled Jerusalem. As it turns out, the precaution isn't needed. (NIV, KJV, NASB) is the verb r, "see look "So David and all the people with him set out and David, however, had been prophetically informed that his young son Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, would succeed him. David is fielding a mighty army, but David gives a troubling command Jesus and the Kingdom Finite abelian groups with fewer automorphisms than a subgroup. Deliver me, O my God! include Hushai in his war-council, and Hushai leaves the king's chambers. men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and He tells Hushai to say to Absalom: "I will be your servant, O king; I was your father's kiss of greeting, Joab grabs Amasa's beard with his right hand and stabs him in David was inconsolablea father's heart was broken by the rebellion of his own son and the pain of his own . But the king won't let him. the other tribes is interrupted by Sheba, a Benjamite, a man of action but also But Yahweh's shield is not just in front of him, but "around me." The good tidings of the victory were marred by the news of Absalom's death. below sea level. own tribe only. Once Amasa's body is removed from the center of the So the king went out and the king crossed the brook Kidron But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. He shouts: "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! The army is commanded by Amasa, who is a However, there is another element to all of this that deserves consideration. (17:28-29). When Ittai the Gittite marches by with his army of 600 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a . piece of it can be found.". What a story, Absalom, the son of King David, decided to overthrow his father from the throne. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a Don't attack until you can gain huge superiority in numbers. Lord for guidance. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's hair got caught in the tree. "O my son Absalom! two-fold: David is a military strategist of the first order. 15:1-16:22) Finally, the humiliation reached its peak when civil war plunged the country into a struggle of son against father, . It's one thing to possess the concubines of a previous dynasty, foolishness." knows that the Lord is with him, whether or not he has the ark of the covenant He has no organization, so he is If half of us die, they will not Then, using some subterfuge of his own, Absalom invited Amnon to his house for a party. He had an army of mighty men who were loyal to him. The narrator hints at another irony: the Torah specifies that for capital For David to (17:22). Within a short time the head is thrown out, the troops Shimei, the Benjamite who had cursed and thrown stones at As a result, David lost another son, Absalom, who had to flee from Israel and find sanctuary in Geshur, the land ruled by his grandfather, Talmai ( 2 Samuel 13:37 ). to take Ahithophel's word only. struggling. Watercolors Lord answers him immediately. off. He serves the reigning, God-appointed king, that's Hushai's Berites (NIV, KJV), Bichrites (NRSV) is brm. Gideon advice. be king, however. Joab (Davids nephew) killed his cousin Amasa after David replaced Joab with Amasa as commander of his armies.

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why did david flee from absalom