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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comThrough the Bible Day by Day - 2 Samuel 18:1 - 18:1
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the End of an Unfilial Son
2Sa 18:1-15
Absalom’s army was soon across the river under Amasa, David’s nephew, 2Sa 17:25-26. Though political reasons constrained David to flight, his heart bled for his wrong-headed and evil-hearted son, and he gave urgent directions for his safety. Let us here learn something of God’s own heart of love. We may have been heartless and thoughtless, have defied His authority and refused to give Him His rightful place; but He gives charge concerning us, desires that we may be spared the full results of our actions, and yearns for our return.
The eastern tribes had rallied so enthusiastically around David’s standard, that he soon found himself at the head of a great army, which, to judge from 2Sa 18:12, was absolutely loyal to him. But Joab saw farther than the ordinary soldiers and knew that there could be no peace while Absalom lived. He had forfeited his life, according to Deu 21:18; Deu 21:21; Deu 21:23. See also 2Sa 17:2; 2Sa 17:4. His head being caught in the fork of a tree, it seemed, indeed, as if he were cursed according to the law, Gal 3:13; Deu 21:23.