2 Samuel 18:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And a certain man saw it and told Joab, "Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak."

NIV: When one of the men saw what had happened, he told Joab, "I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree."

NASB: When a certain man saw him, he informed Joab and said, 'Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.'

CSB: One of the men saw him and informed Joab. He said, "I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!"

NLT: One of David’s men saw what had happened and told Joab, 'I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree.'

KJV: And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

NKJV: Now a certain man saw it and told Joab, and said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in a terebinth tree!”

Absalom was a handsome man with thick, luxurious hair (2 Samuel 14:25–26). He rode on a chariot, pulled by horses, through the Jerusalem streets while fifty guards ran before him (2 Samuel 15:1). After Absalom took Jerusalem from his father, King David, his counselor Ahithophel presented a plan. His plot would destroy David but not require Absalom's presence. Absalom agreed (2 Samuel 17:1–4). But when Hushai, David's double agent, suggested Absalom gather a large army and lead them into battle himself, the would-be king liked that idea even better (2 Samuel 17:11, 14).

Unfortunately for himself, Absalom is a politician, not a warrior. His army is in shambles due to God's will, the experience of David's men, and the rough terrain (2 Samuel 18:6–8). And now, Absalom is stuck dangling from a tree, his head caught in a branch. He's helpless against any of David's men who may find him (2 Samuel 18:9). Fortunately, the first soldier to see Absalom leaves him untouched. Instead, he tells Joab, David's military commander (2 Samuel 18:2).

When Joab asks the man why he left Absalom alive, the soldier will remind the general of David's specific instructions: "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 18:5). He would never harm the king's son, and no amount of silver is worth his life or the king's wrath (2 Samuel 18:6–13).

Second Samuel 18:9–18 records the loss of David's third son, and the completion of God's curse. As God promised, the sons of David's house have brought violence and evil (2 Samuel 12:10–12). Absalom and his army are fighting against David, but David has told his men to be kind to his son. Joab, David's long-time general, disagrees. He finds Absalom in a vulnerable situation and kills him. David's mourning over Absalom will earn him a scolding from Joab (2 Samuel 19:1–8).

In 2 Samuel 18, the rebellion ends. Absalom has built a following and revolted against David (2 Samuel 15; 17). His army is no match for David's seasoned warriors or the dangerous terrain on which the battle is fought. Absalom is pursued and killed despite David's order that he be spared. When David hears of this, he falls into grief. Joab tells David to stop disrespecting his people's sacrifice (2 Samuel 19:1–8). David leads his people back to Jerusalem and starts to repair the broken kingdom (2 Samuel 19:9–43).

Second Samuel 18 marks the fulfillment of God's curses against David. The violence and betrayal God promised David (2 Samuel 12:10–12) because of his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11) culminate in Absalom's attempt to kill his father and take the throne (2 Samuel 15—17). David's generals make quick work of Absalom's army. Joab kills Absalom against David's direct order. David will attempt to repair the fractured kingdom, starting with forgiving his enemies (2 Samuel 19:9–43). The rift never fully heals, however, and the nation splits permanently after Solomon dies (2 Chronicles 10).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.