18:1-2 David assembles an army of defense. He organizes captains over divisions within the army and establishes three commanders. Joab will lead one-third, Abishai will lead one-third and Ittai will lead one-third. David gives his army and commanders assurance that he will be among each of them as well. David's decision to fight alongside his men evidences that he understands that this army is not only fighting for him, they are fighting for the restoration of the tribes of Israel. Corrupt leaders have led the tribes before and it resulted in complete desolation and destruction (let us all remember the book of Judges).
18:3 Yet David's men are anxious about his decision to fight. They feel it is more important that he, as king, remain alive while the armies battle; from a secure position, he will be able to continue to lead them. Likely this was orchestrated by God: just as God did force Abraham to kill his own son, neither will he force David.
18:4-5 As his men begin to march to battle against Absalom, king David stands at the gate as they go. He asks his men to deal gently with Absalom. Despite his bold and systematic betrayal, David refuses to deal ruthlessly with his son. David has been fierce and courageous in battle but it always deeply upsets him when there are rifts between friends and family (he refused to hate Saul; he clung to his friendship with Jonathon). To David, the best outcome would be to take away Absalom's power rather than his life.
18:6-8 The battle takes place in the woods of Ephraim and David's men are victorious.
18:9-10 One of David's soldiers notices that Absalom was pulled off of his mule while crossing underneath a tree.
18:11-13 Joab asks the man why he did not strike Absalom when he noticed him in such a vulnerable position and the man responds that he would not dare harm the king's son (regardless of the money he would have received). The man is loyal to king David and follows his commands exactly; though some of Israel stops following David, others retain their belief that he is a capable and God-appointed king.
18:14-15 Frustrated, Joab finds Absalom alive in the tree and kills him.
18:16-17 Joab and his ten men bury Absalom and cover the dirt with stones. Absalom's army flees.
18:18 Though he did not have a respectable monument in death, Absalom had created a monument for himself during his life. The conceited nature of Absalom's heart and life's work is made humble in death.
Matthew 23:12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
18:19-23 Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, prepares to travel quickly to tell David news of the defeat but is halted by Joab. Joab reminds Ahimaaz that he will also have to deliver news of Absalom's death. Instead, Joab orders a Cushite man unknown to David to deliver the news. Ahimaaz outruns the Cushite man to reach David first. Although it is difficult and sorrowful news, he feels David should hear it from someone he knows.
18:24-25 David and his watchmen notice the messenger coming; they were waiting, alert, for news of the battle.
18:26 They then notice that another man runs toward them (the Cushite).
18:27 The identify the first messenger as Ahimaaz.
18:28 David's watchmen surmises that the news is good and David immediately bows down to God in gratitude for the victory. David's faith is intricately women into every moment of his life; he and God experience everything together. David does not hesitate or forget to remember to thank and consult God on every matter.
18:29 David's first question for the messenger: Is Absalom safe? Ahimaaz says that he knows it was a chaotic situation but as to what precisely happened, he does not know.
18:30-32 David tells Ahimaaz to wait while he hears the news from the second messenger. The Chushite tells David that Absalom's army has been defeated but David is concerned for Absalom. He asks about his son's life again.
18:33 David keens with grief for his son. He is devastated. Although his army has been victorious, David wishes he could give his life in exchange for his son's life. David places God, family and friends above the politics of the world. He is a great king, person and child of God because of his authentic and empathetic emotions.
God has told us that we were made in His image, Genesis 1:27. Like Him, we have a soul and are filled with spirit; we experience emotions. David's tender heart does not make him weak, it makes him strong. It makes him stand out as special to God. David's tender heart and ferocious courage makes him stand out as a biological, spiritual child of God. And yours does, too.
