By the end of 1944, it is likely that both the Allies and Axis in their respective heart of hearts knew that the Allies would ultimately win the Second World War. The Allies were pressing from multiple directions in Europe, while they were island hopping closer to the Japanese Home Islands in the Pacific. The Axis’ demise was inevitable.
So too was Absalom’s demise, seen from the Biblical perspective. We have seen evidence in previous chapters of God working to ultimately frustrate Absalom’s plans, protect King David, and set about Absalom’s demise. In chapter 18, that is exactly what happens, demonstrating that anyone who tries to take the place of God’s Anointed One as king will face a similar end.
In the closing verses of chapter 17, we learnt that Absalom had appointed a new general and led his army out to battle King David and his forces (2 Samuel 17:25-6).
David divided his army into thirds, and set generals with significant military experience over each (vv.1-2). David then announced that he would march out to battle with them (v.2). But his men refused to hear this, declaring that “you are worth ten thousand of us” and telling him to stay in the city (vv.3-4). No doubt, David would have been a particular target in any battle, as killing him would end the conflict.
Despite Absalom’s many and varied outrages against King David and his family, he continued to demonstrate a desire to preserve Absalom’s life, despite the difficulty this would cause for his continued reign. David ordered his generals to “deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom” in his army’s hearing (v.5). The phrasing suggests that Absalom was mistaken and misguided. Sentimentality (understandably) seems to be giving David a continued blind spot when it comes to Absalom.
The report of the battle is rather short and to the point, because the issue is theological not (strictly) historical. The two forces met in battle in a forest, and David’s forces won. The forest fought on the side of David, devouring more than David’s troops (vv.6-8).
While factually a forest environment could well have played tactically into David’s hands, I think the point implied here is that even the forces of Creation were directed by God towards Absalom’s defeat.
The text hones in on the definitive event which ultimately sealed victory for David and his forces. That of Absalom’s demise.
Absalom had been in some way attempting to direct the battle perhaps, and found himself directly in contact with the enemy (v.9). Despite a swift turnaround of his mule (the royal vehicle of choice), he found himself caught in the branches of an oak tree, stuck while his ride kept going from under him (v.9).
The scene is almost comical. But the situation was not. David’s troops were in a bind (so was Absalom). Here was the rebellious leader trapped, but David had told them not to harm him. So they punted the decision up to Joab (vv.9-13).
Joab was a man of action, and understood that David’s reign would not be secure while Absalom lived, so he grabbed three spears and killed Absalom while he was trapped in the tree (v.14). His armour bearers joined him in making sure that Absalom was truly done (v.15).
After this, Joab called off the battle, bringing his troops back to his side (v.16). After all, the battle was won. Absalom was defeated and dead. The rebellion had lost their figurehead, and so would melt away like snow in the heat of day.
And so it was. Absalom was thrown in a pit in the forest, with a cairn of stones thrown on top as his grave (v.17). Absalom’s burial was one reserved for criminals and enemies of God (cf. Josh 7:26, 8:29). Absalom’s army fled.
His only monument was a pillar he had erected himself in his own memory before his sons were born (v.18). His actual burial plot was the place of a criminal.
This is the ultimate end of all those who seek to overturn God’s Anointed One. The self-appointment which seizes the throne of our own hearts, erects monuments to ourselves in our lives, and seeks to kill God’s righteous king. After all, what is sin but rebellion against God and his reign?
No rebel can succeed, for God will fight to destroy them. The end is inevitable, a matter of history (to be played out) and theology. God will destroy us if we do not repent and bow the knee to Christ, God’s Anointed King.
We should give thanks that Jesus died on our behalf, himself also stuck to a tree. But for our sins, not his. And Christ’s death did not result in his defeat, but in his ultimate victory over our enemies sin and death. Absalom was buried in a stony pit, but Jesus returned to life, and now sits enthroned on high.
Christ’s death means that, through trusting in him, we do not join in Absalom’s demise.
