2 Samuel 18:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.

NIV: Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.

NASB: Now Absalom encountered the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the branches of a massive oak. Then his head caught firmly in the oak, and he was left hanging between the sky and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going.

CSB: Absalom was riding on his mule when he happened to meet David’s soldiers. When the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so he was suspended in midair.

NLT: During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on.

Absalom is a violent man but always uses others to do the dirty work. Even when he murdered his brother, he made his servants carry out the act (2 Samuel 13:28–29). Absalom looks the part of a king (2 Samuel 14:25; 15:1), but he isn't a warrior. Nor is he a general. His coup attempt has failed (2 Samuel 18:6–8) because he gave his father time to establish his own defense (2 Samuel 17:1–4, 11). David's smaller, more experienced force routs the larger army, and Absalom's rebellion is thwarted. Now he needs to escape (2 Samuel 18:8). The phrase "happened to meet" is ironic, hinting that God ordains this (2 Samuel 17:14).

Mules are sure-footed and have a reputation for being stubborn. In truth, they're both smart and steady. They serve their masters well, but they're not suicidal. When Absalom gets his head caught in tree limbs, the mule feels no reason to stay. What translators describe as an oak may be a terebinth, although that specific tree is unknown. Because the earlier text made such a point about Absalom's thick, fast-growing hair (2 Samuel 14:25–26), scholars believe Absalom's hair is caught in the branches.

The image of Absalom hanging from a tree is deeply symbolic. God told the Israelites that even a man who commits a capital offense should not hang on a tree overnight. It's too great a curse (Deuteronomy 21:22–23). Joab will soon kill Absalom where he is trapped, and soldiers immediately bury him under a heap of stones (2 Samuel 18:14–17). But in this moment and until Absalom dies, God shows His judgment. And Absalom hanging from the tree shows that God has placed him under a curse for his sin against his father.

Careful readers also raise the question of why David's sons have mules if the Mosaic law forbids the Israelites from breeding them (2 Samuel 13:29; Leviticus 19:19). The law didn't prohibit the Israelites from owning them, just from breeding them. So, they either bought them from foreign traders or they disobeyed the Mosaic law.

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).