American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
2 Samuel 18
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 to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
Reference
Parallel theme
Judges 7:16
3
But the people answered, You shall 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 you are worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that you succor us out of the city.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 21:17
4
And the king said to them, What seems you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 18:24
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;
Reference
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 24:21
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 15:10
9
And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode on 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.
Reference
10
And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11
And Joab said to the man that told him, And, behold, you saw him, and why did you not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given you ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12
And the man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, yet would I not put forth my hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
13
Otherwise I should have worked falsehood against my own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 4:13
14
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with you. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the middle of the oak.
15
And ten young men that bore Joab's armor compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16
And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
Reference
17
And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones on him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
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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 to this day, Absalom's place.
Reference
19
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.
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20
And Joab said to him, You shall not bear tidings this day, but you shall bear tidings another day: but this day you shall bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.
21
Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what you have seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab, and ran.
22
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray you, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Why will you run, my son, seeing that you have no tidings ready?
23
But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said to 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 to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 19:8
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 to the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also brings tidings.
27
And the watchman said, Me thinks 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 comes with good tidings.
Reference
28
And Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth on his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD your God, which has delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
Reference
29
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 18:22
30
And the king said to 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 has avenged you this day of all them that rose up against you.
Reference
Kingdom
2 Samuel 18:19
32
And the king said to Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is.
Reference
Summary of 2 Samuel 18
This chapter records the final battle of Absalom's rebellion and the tragic death of David's son.
After gathering his forces at Mahanaim, David organizes his army under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. Before the battle begins, David commands his leaders to spare Absalom's life. This instruction reveals that David remains a father even while acting as king defending his nation.
The battle takes place in the forest of Ephraim, where David's forces defeat Absalom's army. Although Absalom had gained widespread support, his rebellion collapses. His downfall is symbolically connected to his pride as his hair, once celebrated as a sign of his appearance and status, becomes caught in a tree. Joab kills Absalom despite David's command to spare him.
After the victory, messengers run to inform David. While the army celebrates, David is concerned only about Absalom. When he finally learns of his son's death, he is devastated and mourns deeply, wishing he could have died instead.
The chapter reveals the painful consequences of rebellion and unresolved family conflict. Absalom sought power and recognition but lost his life. David regained his throne but experienced the sorrow of losing a child.
This chapter also demonstrates that God's justice and human emotions often exist together. God brought an end to Absalom's rebellion, yet David's grief shows the compassion and love of a father who still cared for his son.
After gathering his forces at Mahanaim, David organizes his army under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. Before the battle begins, David commands his leaders to spare Absalom's life. This instruction reveals that David remains a father even while acting as king defending his nation.
The battle takes place in the forest of Ephraim, where David's forces defeat Absalom's army. Although Absalom had gained widespread support, his rebellion collapses. His downfall is symbolically connected to his pride as his hair, once celebrated as a sign of his appearance and status, becomes caught in a tree. Joab kills Absalom despite David's command to spare him.
After the victory, messengers run to inform David. While the army celebrates, David is concerned only about Absalom. When he finally learns of his son's death, he is devastated and mourns deeply, wishing he could have died instead.
The chapter reveals the painful consequences of rebellion and unresolved family conflict. Absalom sought power and recognition but lost his life. David regained his throne but experienced the sorrow of losing a child.
This chapter also demonstrates that God's justice and human emotions often exist together. God brought an end to Absalom's rebellion, yet David's grief shows the compassion and love of a father who still cared for his son.