2 Samuel 18:1-33 The Men of Israel with Absalom Battle with David’s Servants

The Men of Israel with Absalom Battle with David’s Servants

2 Samuel 18:1-33       The Book of 2 Samuel [in Smaller Chunks]

David numbered, [a.k.a. counted,] the people [who] were with him, & [put] captains [over] 1,000’s & captains over 100’s of them. And David sent [out,] 1/3 of the people under the [control] of Joab, 1/3 under the [control] of Abishai, [Jeruiah’s] son, [who was] Joab’s brother, & 1/3 under [the control] of Ittai; the Gittite.

And king [David] said to the people, I will also surely go [out] with you myself. But the people answered, You [shall] not go [out.] For if we [should] flee away, [or] if 1/2 of us die, they [won't] care [about] us, but you [are] worth 10,000 of us.

Therefore, it is better now, that you [help us from] the city. And king [David] said to them, I will do what [seems] best [to] you. And the king stood by the side [of the] gate, & all the people came out by [the] 100's & 1,000’s.

And king [David] commanded Joab, Abishai, & Ittai, saying, For my sake, deal gently with the young man, even with Absalom, [a.k.a. king David’s son.] And ll the people heard when the king gave all the captains [orders about] Absalom.

So, the people went out into the field against Israel; & the battle was in the [Woods] of Ephraim. D[avid’s] servants [killed] 20,000 men of Israel [during the] [large] slaughter that day.

For the battle was scattered there over the [surface] of all the [countryside;] & the [woods] devoured more people than the sword devoured that day. And Absalom, [riding] upon a mule, met [up with] the servants of David.

And the mule Absalom rode, went under the thick [limbs] of a [large] oak [tree,] & his head got caught [between] the [oak’s] [branches, & when] his mule that was under [Absalom] went away, [a.k.a. went out from,] under him, [Absalom’s] head [was caught] between the [sky] & the [ground.]

And a man saw it, & told Joab, & said, [Look,] I saw Absalom [hanging] in an oak [tree.] And Joab [asked him,] Why [didn’t] you [strike] him to the ground there? I would have given you 10 shekels of silver & a [warrior’s] [belt.]

And the man said to Joab, [Even if] I should receive 1,000 shekels of silver in [my] hand, I [still] wouldn’t put my hand [out] against the king’s son, for [we heard] the king [order] you, Abishai, & Ittai, saying, Beware, that [no one touches] the young man, Absalom.

Otherwise, I [would’ve risked] [my] own life, for there [are] no [matters hidden] from the king. And you, yourself, [would] have [come out] against me. Then, Joab said, I [can’t wait] [like] [this] with you. [So, Joab] took 3 darts in his hand, & [threw] them through the heart of Absalom, while he was [still] alive in the [middle of] the oak.

And 10 young men [who carried] Joab’s [armor, surrounded around] Absalom & [killed] him. And Joab blew the trumpet, & the people returned from pursuing after Israel: [because] Joab held back the people.

And they took Absalom, & [threw] him into a [big] pit in the [woods,] & laid a [large] heap of stones upon him. And all [of] Israel fled, everyone to his tent. Now, in [Absalom's] lifetime, [he] had taken, & [put] up a [memorial] pillar for himself, [that] is in the King’s Dale, [a.k.a. Valley.]

[For Absalom] said, I have no son to [carry on] my name in remembrance [of me,] [so Absalom] called the pillar [by] his own name. And to this day, it’s called Absalom's Place.

Then, Ahimaaz, [Zakok’s] son, said, Let me run now & [carry to] the king [the news] [about] how the Lord [has] avenged [king David] of his enemies. And Joab [told] him, You [shall] not [carry] [any] [news today,] because the king’s son is dead. But you shall [carry] [this] [news] another day.

Then, Joab said to Cushi, Go tell the king what you [have] seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab, & ran. Then, Ahimaaz, [Zadok’s] son, [still] [said] again to Joab, [However,] I pray [that] you also let me run after Cushi. Joab [asked, Why, will] you run, my son, seeing that you [haven’t any news] ready?

[However, Ahimaaz asked, [Still] let me run. And [Joab] said to him, Run. Then, Ahimaaz ran by the [road] of the plain, & [outran] Cushi. And David sat between the 2 gates. And the watchman, [a.k.a. guard,] went up to the roof [above] the gate to the wall & [looked] up & [saw] a man running alone. The watchman cried [out,] & told the king.

And king [David] said, If [he’s] alone, there is [news he] [needs to] [say.] And he [ran rapidly,] & [came close.] [Then,] the watchman saw another man running, & called to the [gatekeeper,] & said, [Look,] another man [is] running alone.

And the king said, He also [brings news.] And the watchman said, [I think] the [1] running [in the front, runs] like Ahimaaz, [Zakok’s] son. And king [David] said, He is a good man, & [comes] with good [news.]

And Ahimaaz called [out,] & said to the king, All is well. And he fell down [facing the ground in front of] the king, & said, Blessed be the Lord your God, [Who has] delivered up the men [who raised] up their [hands] against my lord, the king.

And king [David] said, Is the young man, Absalom, safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, & me, your servant, I saw a [lot of commotion,] but [didn’t know] what it was.

And king [David] said to him, Turn aside, & stand here, [& he did.] And, [look,] Cushi came; & said, [I have] [news,] my lord, the king, for the Lord [has] avenged you this day, of all [those who] rose up against you.

And king [David] [asked] Cushi, Is the young man, Absalom, safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord, the king, & all [who rose] against you, to [harm] you, [should] be [like] that young man is.

And king [David] was [very distressed,] & went into [his room] over the gate, & wept. [While] he went [there,] he said [this,] O my son, Absalom, my son, my son, Absalom! I [wish that] God had [me die,] [instead] for you, O Absalom, my son, my son!