Absalom's Rebellion

Absalom sat by the gate of the city and told the Israelites that their matters were good and right, but that no one was deputed by the king to hear them. After four years, he asked King David for permission to go to Hebron to pay a vow, where he instead sent spies throughout the tribes and was proclaimed king (2 Samuel 15:7-10). When a messenger informed David that the hearts of the men of Israel were with Absalom, David and his servants fled Jerusalem. During the retreat, David instructed Zadok the priest to return the ark of God to the city, stating that if he found favor in the eyes of the Lord, he would be brought back to see it again (2 Samuel 15:25).

In Jerusalem, Absalom sought counsel from Ahithophel, who advised him to pursue David immediately with twelve thousand men. However, Hushai the Archite, acting as a plant for David, countered this advice by suggesting that Absalom gather all Israel from Dan to Beersheba to lead a larger force. The text states that the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel to bring evil upon Absalom (2 Samuel 17:14). When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, went home to his city, put his household in order, and hanged himself.

The conflict concluded in the forest of Ephraim, where David’s forces engaged the army of Israel. David commanded his generals to deal gently with Absalom for his sake. During the battle, Absalom’s head caught in the thick boughs of a great oak, and he was left hanging between heaven and earth while his mule went out from under him (2 Samuel 18:9). Upon hearing this, Joab took three darts and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the midst of the oak. Ten young men who bore Joab's armor then surrounded Absalom and struck him until he died (2 Samuel 18:14-15).