181 Then David numbered the people who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds . 2 David sent the people out, one third under the command of Joab , one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah , Joab's brother , and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite . And the king said to the people , "I myself will surely go out with you also ." 3 But the people said , " You should not go out; for if we indeed flee , they will not care e about us; even if half of us die , they will not care e about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city ." 4 Then the king said to them, "Whatever seems best to you I will do ." So the king stood beside e the gate , and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands . 5 The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai , saying , "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom ." And all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning e Absalom . 6 Then the people went out into the field against Israel , and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim . 7 The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David , and the slaughter there that day was great , 20,000 e men. 8 For the battle there was spread over e the whole countryside , and the forest devoured more people that day than e the sword devoured .
9 Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David . For 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 , so he was left hanging between heaven and earth , while the mule that was under him kept going . 10 When a certain man saw it, he told Joab and said , "Behold , I saw Absalom hanging in an oak ." 11 Then Joab said to the man who had told him, "Now behold , you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground ? And I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt ." 12 The man said to Joab , "Even if I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand , I would not put out my hand against the king's son ; for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai , saying , 'Protect for me the young man Absalom !' 13 "Otherwise , if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing e e hidden from the king ), then you yourself would have stood aloof e ." 14 Then Joab said , "I will not waste time here with you." So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:1-14
Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:1-8
(Read 2 Samuel 18:1-8)
How does David render good for evil! Absalom would have only David smitten; David would have only Absalom spared. This seems to be a resemblance of man's wickedness towards God, and God's mercy to man, of which it is hard to say which is most amazing. Now the Israelites see what it is to take counsel against the Lord and his anointed.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:9-18
(Read 2 Samuel 18:9-18)
Let young people look upon Absalom, hanging on a tree, accursed, forsaken of heaven and earth; there let them read the Lord's abhorrence of rebellion against parents. Nothing can preserve men from misery and contempt, but heavenly wisdom and the grace of God.