Rebellious son, in the extreme extent, versus father for the kingship of Israel… Chusai was loyal to King David as vowed…
Achitophel to Absalom: I will choose me twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night. And coming upon him (for he is now weary, and weak handed) I will defeat him: and when all the people is put to flight that is with him, I will kill the king who will be left alone.
And his saying pleased Absalom, and all the ancients of Israel.
Absalom: Call Chusai the Arachite, and let us hear what he also saith.
Absalom to Chusai: Achitophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do it or not? What counsel dost thou give?
Chusai to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel hath given this time is not good… Thou knowest thy father, and the men that are with him, that they are very valiant, and bitter in their mind, as bear raging in the wood when her whelps are taken away: and thy father is a warrior, and will not lodge with his people… perhaps he now lieth in pits…But this seemeth to me to be good counsel: let all Israel be gathered to thee… and thou shall be in the midst of them… and we shall come upon him in what place soever he shall be found: and we shall cover him, as the dew falleth upon the ground…
And Absalom, and all the men of Israel said: The counsel of Chusai the Arachite is better than the counsel of Achitophel: and by the will of the Lord the profitable counsel of Achitophel was defeated, that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom.
And Chusai said to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests… now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying: Tarry not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but without delay pass over: lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that is with him… And Jonathan and Achimaas stayed by the fountain Rogel: and there went a maid and told them: and they went forward to carry the message to King David…
But Achitophel seeing that his counsel was not followed… putting his house in order… hanged himself…
This was a Godsend for King David. Absalom’s original plan, courtesy of Achitophel would have likely decimated David, but God intervened with the selection of Chusai’s delayed tactics which gave David time to cross the Jordan regroup. Than it gets interesting and complicated: does David want to win and be king again or see his opposing son in battle win and live?
But David came to the camp, and Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him… Now Absalom appointed Amasa in Joab’s stead over the army… And Israel camped with Absalom in the land of Galaad.
And David reviewed his people… and sent forth a third of the people under the hand of Joab, a third under Abisai, and a third under Ethai… I also will go forth with you… for thou alone art accounted for ten thousand… it is better that thou (King David) shouldst be in the city to succor us… What seemeth good to you, that will I do.
King David commanded: Save me the boy Absalom.
And it happened that Absalom met the servants of David, riding on a mule: and as the mule went under a thick and large oak, his head stuck in the oak: and while he hung between the heaven and the earth, the mule on which he rode passed on.
And one saw this and told Joab…
Joab: Not as thou wilt, but I will set upon him in thy sight. So he took three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom: and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak, ten young men, armorbearers of Joab, ran up, and striking him slew him.
Odd sort of way for a king to die: to be entangled by his head in an oak tree and let helpless to die with no servants to protect him!
And Joab sounded the trumpet, and kept back the people from pursuing after Israel in their flight, being willing to spare the multitude.
Now Absalom had reared up for himself, in his lifetime, a pillar, which is in the king’s valley: for he said: I have no son, and this shall be the monument of my name. And he called the pillar by his own name, and it is called the hand of Absalom, to this day.
Chusai to King David: Let the enemies of my lord, the king, and all that rise against him unto evil, be as the young man is (dead).
King David weeping: My son Absalom, Absalom my son! Would to God that I might die for thee, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom.
Now this is not a good form of leadership. Enemies are enemies and bad is bad not good.
And the victory was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard that day: The king grieveth for his son.
Joab to King David: Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, that have saved thy life… Thou lovest them that hate thee, and thou hatest them that love thee… I not plainly that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, then it would have pleased thee…
And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Israel… But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in the battle: how long are you silent, and bring not back the king?
And the king returned and came as far as the Jordan, and all Juda came as far as Galgal to meet the king, and to bring him over the Jordan…
Forgiveness was requested and granted to Semei and Miphiboseth for cursing and not showing up in battle for the embattled king. Berzellai was allowed to go home in his old age while his servant Chamaam went with King David to Jerusalem.
But there seemed to be some dissention in the tribes of Israel:
Men of Israel to King David: Why have our brethren (of Juda) stolen thee away…
And all of the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me; why art thou angry for this matter?
This created a situation for another Absalom-like rebel to emerge and threaten David’s crown. Not so fast this time. Not only did David take care of Seba with the help of a wise old lady but Amasa was killed by Joab for not meeting a deadline regarding Seba. Sadly the ten concubines lived their lives out as though they were widows. What did they do wrong? Nothing, the sin being a male-dominated society back in biblical times. Thank God for the changes there!
Seba: We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Isai: return to thy dwellings, O Israel.
And all Israel departed from David, and followed Seba… but the men of Juda stuck to their king from the Jordan unto Jerusalem.
At Jerusalem, King Davis took the ten woman his concubines, which he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, allowing them provisions: and he went not in unto them, but they were shut up unto the day of their death living in widowhood.
King to Amasa: Assemble to me all the men of Juda, against the third day, and be thou here present.
But Amasa tarried beyond the set time which the king had appointed him.
Now will Seba… do us more harm than did Absalom?
But Amasa did not take notice of the sword, which Joab had, and he struck him in the side… and he died.
Now he had passed through all the tribes of Israel unto Abela…
Wise woman to Joab: A saying was used in the old proverb: They that inquire, let them inquire in Abela: and so they made an end. Behold his head shall be thrown to thee from the wall.
So she went to all the people and spoke to them wisely: and they cut off the head of Seba and cast it out to Joab.
And Joab sounded the trumpet, and they departed from the city, every one to their home: and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
King David is king again though Israel seems divided…
Day 109: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; King David is King Again though Israel seems Divided…
Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Second Book of Kings Chapters 17-20.
Bible Notes:
This Book tells of King David’s reign. By many successful wars he consolidated his kingdom and made Jerusalem his capital. His serious sins endangered the kingdom; but after he had repented, he conquered his enemies.
2 Kings Chapter 17: Achitophel plans to pursue David; Chusai opposes Achitophel’s plan; Chusai informs David of the plan; Achitophel hangs himself; Absalom appoints Amasa his commander; Provisions for David’s army.
Achitophel to Absalom: I will choose me twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night. And coming upon him (for he is now weary, and weak handed) I will defeat him: and when all the people is put to flight that is with him, I will kill the king who will be left alone.
And his saying pleased Absalom, and all the ancients of Israel.
Absalom: Call Chusai the Arachite, and let us hear what he also saith.
Absalom to Chusai: Achitophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do it or not? What counsel dost thou give?
Chusai to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel hath given this time is not good… Thou knowest thy father, and the men that are with him, that they are very valiant, and bitter in their mind, as bear raging in the wood when her whelps are taken away: and thy father is a warrior, and will not lodge with his people… perhaps he now lieth in pits…But this seemeth to me to be good counsel: let all Israel be gathered to thee… and thou shall be in the midst of them… and we shall come upon him in what place soever he shall be found: and we shall cover him, as the dew falleth upon the ground…
And Absalom, and all the men of Israel said: The counsel of Chusai the Arachite is better than the counsel of Achitophel: and by the will of the Lord the profitable counsel of Achitophel was defeated, that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom.
And Chusai said to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests… now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying: Tarry not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but without delay pass over: lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that is with him… And Jonathan and Achimaas stayed by the fountain Rogel: and there went a maid and told them: and they went forward to carry the message to King David…
But Achitophel seeing that his counsel was not followed… putting his house in order… hanged himself…
But David came to the camp, and Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him… Now Absalom appointed Amasa in Joab’s stead over the army… And Israel camped with Absalom in the land of Galaad.
2 Kings Chapter 18: David’s army prepares to fight; David commands mercy for Absalom; David defeats Absalom’s army; Absalom caught in a tree; Joab kills Absalom; Absalom’s pillar; David learns of the death of Absalom; David mourns for Absalom.
And David reviewed his people… and sent forth a third of the people under the hand of Joab, a third under Abisai, and a third under Ethai… I also will go forth with you… for thou alone art accounted for ten thousand… it is better that thou (King David) shouldst be in the city to succor us… What seemeth good to you, that will I do.
Succor—help; relief; aid; assistance; a person or thing that gives help, relief, aid, etc.; to help or relieve.
King David commanded: Save me the boy Absalom.
And the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. And the people of Israel were defeated there by David’s army, and a great slaughter was made that day of twenty thousand men… and there were many more of the people whom the forest consumed, than whom the sword devoured that day.
And it happened that Absalom met the servants of David, riding on a mule: and as the mule went under a thick and large oak, his head stuck in the oak: and while he hung between the heaven and the earth, the mule on which he rode passed on.
And one saw this and told Joab…
Joab: Not as thou wilt, but I will set upon him in thy sight. So he took three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom: and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak, ten young men, armorbearers of Joab, ran up, and striking him slew him.
And Joab sounded the trumpet, and kept back the people from pursuing after Israel in their flight, being willing to spare the multitude.
Now Absalom had reared up for himself, in his lifetime, a pillar, which is in the king’s valley: for he said: I have no son, and this shall be the monument of my name. And he called the pillar by his own name, and it is called the hand of Absalom, to this day.
Joab to Chusai: Go, and tell the king what thou hast seen…
Then Achimaas running by a nearer way passed Chusai…
Achimaas to King David: I know nothing else…
Chusai to King David: Let the enemies of my lord, the king, and all that rise against him unto evil, be as the young man is (dead).
King David weeping: My son Absalom, Absalom my son! Would to God that I might die for thee, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom.
2 Kings Chapter 19: The people mourn with David; Joab urges David to rejoice; The Israelites invite David to return; David returns; David forgives Semei; David pardons Miphiboseth; Chamaam joins David; Strife between Juda and Israel.
And the victory was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard that day: The king grieveth for his son.
Joab to King David: Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, that have saved thy life… Thou lovest them that hate thee, and thou hatest them that love thee… I not plainly that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, then it would have pleased thee…
And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Israel… But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in the battle: how long are you silent, and bring not back the king?
And the king returned and came as far as the Jordan, and all Juda came as far as Galgal to meet the king, and to bring him over the Jordan…
Semei to King David: Impute not to me, my lord, the iniquity, nor remember the injuries of thy servant on the day that thou, my lord, the king, wentest out of Jerusalem, nor lay it up in thy heart, O King. For I thy servant acknowledge my sin…
King David to Semei: Thou shalt not die. And he swore unto him.
Miphiboseth to King David: My lord, O king, my servant despised me: for I thy servant spoke to him to saddle me as ass, that I might get on and go with the king: for I thy servant am lame…
King David to Miphiboseth: Why speakest thou any more? What I have said is determined: thou and Siba divide the possessions.
Miphiboseth answered King David: Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is returned peaceably into his house.
Berzellai was of a great age, that is to say, fourscore years old…
King David to Berzellai: Come with me that thou mayest rest secure with me in Jerusalem…
Berzellai to King David: Why should thy servant be a burden to my lord, the king? I beseech thee to let thy servant return, and die in my own city, and be buried by the sepulcher of my father, and of my mother… but there is my servant Chamaam, let him go with thee…
King David to Berzellai: Let Chamaam go over with me, and I will do for him whatsoever shall please thee, and all that thou shalt ask of me, thou shalt obtain.
Men of Israel to King David: Why have our brethren (of Juda) stolen thee away…
And all of the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me; why art thou angry for this matter?
2 Kings Chapter 20: Seba’s rebellion; Joab kills Amasa; Joab pursues Seba to Abela; A woman appeals to Joab; The woman agrees to have Seba killed; Chief officers of David.
Seba: We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Isai: return to thy dwellings, O Israel.
And all Israel departed from David, and followed Seba… but the men of Juda stuck to their king from the Jordan unto Jerusalem.
At Jerusalem, King Davis took the ten woman his concubines, which he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, allowing them provisions: and he went not in unto them, but they were shut up unto the day of their death living in widowhood.
King to Amasa: Assemble to me all the men of Juda, against the third day, and be thou here present.
But Amasa tarried beyond the set time which the king had appointed him.
Now will Seba… do us more harm than did Absalom…
But Amasa did not take notice of the sword, which Joab had, and he struck him in the side… and he died.
Now he had passed through all the tribes of Israel unto Abela…
Wise woman to Joab: A saying was used in the old proverb: They that inquire, let them inquire in Abela: and so they made an end. Behold his head shall be thrown to thee from the wall.
So she went to all the people and spoke to them wisely: and they cut off the head of Seba and cast it out to Joab.
And Joab sounded the trumpet, and they departed from the city, every one to their home: and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
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