TO GIVE US SUPPORT FROM THE CITY: To be of assistance
(with a share of the army) to any who were forced to flee from the
battle.
2Sa 18:5
Notice David has no doubt about the outcome of the
battle.
2Sa 18:8
FOREST: Heb "yaar": rocky, rough land with prickly
oaks, thorns (LB 306).
THE FOREST CLAIMED MORE LIVES THAT DAY THAN THE SWORD:
More were killed in flight than in actual combat, because the dense forest
prevented their successfully getting away.
2Sa 18:9
ABSALOM'S HEAD GOT CAUGHT: His hair, long and flowing,
was snared in the branches. His natural glory was his downfall.
2Sa 18:10
HE TOLD JOAB: Joab esp hated Absalom, since it had been
Joab who worked for Absalom to bring him back into favor with King
David.
2Sa 18:11
Joab would have gladly let someone else slay Absalom, and bear
the king's anger.
2Sa 18:16
With Absalom's death, the war had effectively ended (cp 2Sa
17:3).
2Sa 18:18
Even Absalom's burial plans were thwarted.
I HAVE NO SON TO CARRY ON THE MEMORY OF MY NAME: His
three sons (2Sa 14:27) must have already been dead -- or perhaps not yet born
when he erected the pillar.
2Sa 18:20
Joab commands Ahimaaz not to tell king of the death of his son
(cp v 29).
2Sa 18:21
A CUSHITE: Poss Joab's slave.
2Sa 18:24
A MAN RUNNING ALONE: Only one man would not be a
fugitive. If many were returning together, it could signify either victory or
defeat. But one man must be a messenger.
2Sa 18:28
ALL IS WELL: Heb "shalom": peace... for the
nation.
2Sa 18:29
IS THE YOUNG MAN ABSALOM SAFE?: 'Is there "shalom"
(peace) for Absalom?' David's only concern.
"Is the young man... safe?" This question has often been asked
by loving fathers about their sons. And sometimes the answer must be, "No, he is
in great danger." The young man is not "safe", firstly, if he is at enmity with
his father -- for, if a man love not his own parents on earth, how can he love
his Father who is in heaven?
And, again, the answer may be, "We have seen him lately in bad
company. He has associated with other young men who are of loose morals. No, the
young man is not safe there."
Neither is he "safe" if he has taken to indulging in expensive
habits. "Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men
to run ahead of him" (2Sa 15:1). This extravagance was a sign of evil. A youth
who lavishes money upon needless luxuries is not safe.
And once again, the young man is not safe if he is especially
concerned about his personal appearance. "In all Israel there was not a man so
highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head
to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him" (2Sa 14:25). When young
people are taken up with their own persons, and are vain about their hair, their
looks, and their clothes, then may we be sure that they are not safe, for the
proud are always in danger.
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS: He knows, but he doesn't
want to say. (Why would a messenger run, with no message?) Do we hurry to reach
a destination, only to find that we have no message to deliver when we
arrive?
2Sa 18:31
FROM ALL WHO ROSE UP AGAINST YOU: "How many rise up
against me!" (Psa 3:1).
2Sa 18:32
Even the Cushite fears to tell of Absalom's death in plain
language.
2Sa 18:33
"In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search
your hearts and be silent" (Psa 4:4). See in this deliverance God's providential
hand, and "Be still!"