Daily Bible Reading “David Learns of Absalom’s Fate” (2 Samuel 18:16-33)

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

David Learns of Absalom’s Fate

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 18:16-33. In this Scripture King David learns of his son, Absalom’s fate. Joab sounded the trumpet for the battle to end and the troops stopped pursuing Israel.

They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the woods and put a big pile of rocks on top of him. All the Israelites fled to their tents.

During his lifetime Absalom erected a pillar in the Kidron Valley as a monument to himself, since he didn’t have a son to carry on his name. He named the pillar after himself. It is still called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, asked if he could run and take the news to the king that the LORD had vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.

Joab told him that he wasn’t the one to take the news that day. Joab told him that he could take the news another time, but not that day, because the king’s son was dead.

Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab and ran off to do as he was instructed.

Ahimaaz again said to Joab, “Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.” But Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.”

He said, “Come what may, I want to run.” Joab told him to go ahead and go. Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and ran so fast he outran the Cushite.

David was sitting between the inner and outer gates. The watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. He saw a man running alone.

The watchman called out to King David and reported what he saw. The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” Then, the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper telling him that there was another man who was also running by himself. The king said, “He must be bringing good news, too.”

The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first man runs like Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok.” The king said, “He’s a good man.” “He’s bringing good news.” King David was hoping that the men were bringing good news.

Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” Then he bowed down before the king and said, “Praise the LORD your God! He has delivered up those who lifted their hands against the king.”

The king asked, “Is Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “I saw a great confusion as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.”

The king replied, “Stand aside and wait here.” The man did as the king requested. When the Cushite arrived, he said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”

The king asked the Cushite, “Is Absalom safe?” David’s main concern was the well-being of his son, Absalom. The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”

When the king realized that Absalom had been killed he was visibly shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway weeping. As he went up, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I could have died instead of you. O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Can you imagine the grief King David must have felt when he found out His son, Absalom, was dead? Do you remember how you felt when you found out about a loved ones death? What are some of the emotions the king must have felt? Where can we find comfort in times of trouble?

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 18:16-33

16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And 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.
18 Now 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.
20 And 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.
21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22 Then 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?
23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
24 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.
25 And 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.
26 And 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.
27 And 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.
28 And 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.
29 And 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.
30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
31 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.
32 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.
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!

Things to think about:

What did Joab and his men do with Absalom?
Why did Absalom build a monument to himself?
Where is Absalom’s monument located?
Who was sent to give the king the news of his son’s death?
What was King David’s response when he realized his son was dead?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel and learn of Absalom’s fate we see that King David was distraught. Help us when we go through times of grief in our lives to turn to You for comfort. You are the great comforter. Help us to have compassion for others who have lost loved ones. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Daily Bible Reading “Absalom Meets His Demise” (2 Samuel 18:1-15)

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

Absalom Meets His Demise

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 18:1-15. David counted the men who were with him and divided them into groups of hundreds and thousands. He appointed commanders over each of the groups. In this Scripture we learn what happened to Absalom during this battle.

A third of David’s troops were under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai, son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai, the Gittite. The king told the troops that he would march with them.

The men didn’t want King David to go with them. They said, “If we flee, they won’t care about us. If half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better for you to give us your support from the city.”

The king told them that he would do whatever they thought was best. So he stood beside the gate and watched while all of his men marched out to battle.

The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai to be gentle with his son Absalom for his sake. All the troops heard as the king gave orders to each of the commanders concerning Absalom.

David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

David’s men were victorious over Israel’s troops. There were twenty thousand men killed that day on the battle field.

The battle spread over the countryside.The forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.

Absalom met up with David’s men. He was riding on his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging there, but the mule he was riding kept going.

One of the men who saw what happened told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”

Joab asked the man who saw Absalom hanging, “What! You saw him? Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warrior’s belt.”

The man told him even if a thousand shekels were put in his hands, he would not have laid a hand on the king’s son. We all heard what the king said when he commanded you, Abishai and Ittai, to protect Absalom for his sake.

If I had put my life in jeopardy–and nothing is hidden from the king–you would have kept your distance from me.”

Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” He took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive and hanging in the oak tree.

Joab took advantage of Absalom’s mishap. He completely defied the order that King David gave to him and the other leaders of his army.

If that wasn’t enough, then, ten of Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, smote him and killed him.

I’m always looking to see what we can learn from our daily lessons. I was telling my granddaughter about this lesson and asked her what we could learn from it. She said, “Keep your hair wrapped up tight.” I had to laugh. I don’t think that’s exactly our best lesson from this Scripture, but I thought it was cute.

David trusted the leaders of his army to protect Absalom. The only command he gave them before leaving for battle was that they be gentle with his son. Even though his son was seeking to overtake his kingdom, David still didn’t want anything bad to happen to him. David loved his son, Absalom.

David must have felt like there was nobody he could trust. Have you ever felt that way?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 18:1-15

1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2 And 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.
3 But 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.
4 And 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.
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.
6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8 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.
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.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 And 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.
12 And 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.
13 Otherwise 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.
14 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.
15 And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

Things to think about:

Who were the leaders of David’s army?
What was the one command David gave them?
What happened to Absalom?
Who disobeyed the king’s command?
What can we learn from this lesson?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David had a mighty army. He had leaders in his army that he trusted with his son’s life. Help us to be able to discern who we can trust. Lead, guide and direct in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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Daily Bible Reading “God Provides” (2 Samuel 17:15-29)

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Deborah H. Bateman

God Provides

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 17:15-29. In this Scripture we see how God provides for David and his men. Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests that Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do one thing, but he had advised them to do something else.

He asked them to send a message at once and tell David not to spend the night in the plains of the wilderness. Instead they were to tell him to cross over the Jordan, or he and all the people with him would be killed.

Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant went to inform them, and they were to go tell King David, because they could not risk being seen in the city.

A young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two men left immediately and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into the well.

His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and put grain on top of it. No one knew anything about it.

When Absalom’s men came to the woman;s house, they asked her where Ahimaaz and Jonathan were. The woman told them that they crossed over the brook. The men searched, but they didn’t find anyone, so they went back to Jerusalem.

When they left, the two men climbed out of the well and went to tell King David. They told him to set out and cross the river at once because Ahithophel had given them advise against you.

So David and all the people with him crossed the Jordan. By morning, no one was left in their camp. Thy had all crossed the Jordan.

When Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went back to his house. He put his house in order and hanged himself. He died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. Absalom appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite, who married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab. Absalom and his men camped in Gilead.

When David arrived at Mahanaim, Shobi, the son of Nahash, from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir, the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai, the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought bedding and bowls and pottery.

They also brought food for David and his men to eat including, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk. They knew the people were exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.

I love the way that God provided for David and his men even in the wilderness. They were on the run, but God still provided plenty of food for them to refresh and strengthen their bodies for the battle.

Have you ever been in situations where you wondered if God was going to provide and He came through for you? I sure have.

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 17:15-29

15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
17 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.
18 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.
19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
20 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.
21 And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
25 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.
26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

Things to think about:

Who was to let David know what was happening?
What happened to them along the way?
Where did David and his men go?
How did God provide for David and his men?

Prayer of the Day:

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that You provided for David and his men. It encourages us to see that You are able to provide even in the wilderness. Help us to have the faith to believe that You will always provide our needs. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “God Provides”

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B00N1ZAOAM
Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

FREE Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox

Monday – Friday.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah