2 Samuel 18 Verses 6 to 18 Civil War in Israel and the Death of Absalom September 17, 2023

2 Samuel 18 Verses 6 to 18 Civil War in Israel and the Death of Absalom September 17, 2023

Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Passages:

· 1 Peter 2:21-25 (NASB) 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Question to Explore: Is my heart directed toward God?

Create Interest:

· When it comes to permissiveness, condoning and giving license to wrong behavior, the consequences can be just as tragic. For if a child is not corrected when he does wrong, he will continue in his wrongdoing, thinking that it is acceptable behavior. And the longer his misconduct is permitted or condoned, the more his wrongdoing becomes ingrained in his behavior. It is the permissiveness of parents that leads to immoral, lawless, and violent behavior. Let’s see how this played out with King David and his son Absalom. Let’s also open our eyes and find Jesus in the middle of this to help us grow in our relationship with Him.

Lesson In Historical Context:

· David’s name probably means “favorite” or “beloved.” The first king to unite Israel and Judah and the first to receive the promise of a royal messiah in his line. David was pictured as the ideal king of God’s people. He ruled from about 1005 to 965 b.c.[1]

· The tragic situation that David faced in our Scripture focus today is that he had been an indulgent, permissive parent who condoned the wrong behavior of his children (13:1–39; 18:33–19:8). Because of the indulgence and license he gave to his children, David witnessed his family falling apart.

o Remember that David’s son Absalom had just led a rebellion against him, forcing him to flee for his life. But David had successfully escaped, crossing the Jordan River and finally reaching the fortified city of Mahanaim. As soon as Absalom could mobilize his army, he began pursuing David; and after crossing the Jordan River, he set up camp in the land of Gilead (17:26).

o Now, in this chapter, the two armies confront each other in a deadly power struggle for the throne of Israel. This is: The Defeat and Death of Absalom: A Picture of God’s Judgment upon an Indulgent, Permissive Parent, 18:1–19:8.[2]

· Revolutions rarely end well, and Absalom’s is no exception. What follows in 2 Samuel 17–18 is a scene of David’s victory but a victory that is soured by tragedy and regret.

· Largely due to the support of other generals and leaders, David was encouraged to turn back and fight for his kingdom. As swiftly as Absalom ascended the throne, he was forced to abandon it, running for his life through the wilderness. David’s men, eager to avenge their king and their own humiliation, naturally desired to kill Absalom the usurper.

o But David was beginning to see Absalom less as a usurper and more as a son. “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake,” he told his soldiers (18:5).

· The orders were clear, but they prove powerless. While fleeing through the forest, Absalom got stuck in a tree by his head, suspended in full view of the oncoming soldiers, completely vulnerable.

· David had charged his generals to spare Absalom’s life (v. 5), again exposing his weakness for his wayward sons. Absalom was seeking to destroy David’s kingdom. Because of him, thousands of lives would be lost. Listen to what the Bible has to say in that time about a son like Absalom.

o Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (NASB) 18 "If any man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father or his mother, and when they chastise him, he will not even listen to them, 19 then his father and mother shall seize him, and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gateway of his hometown. 20 "They shall say to the elders of his city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey us, he is a glutton and a drunkard.' 21 "Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death; so you shall remove the evil from your midst, and all Israel will hear of it and fear.

· So long as he lives, there can be no peace in Israel. Yet David tied the hands of his generals. He was out of touch with the realities of war and was more sentimental than wise. David was also opposing the purpose of the Lord, who has determined that Absalom must die (17:14).[3]

· Joab, knew full well that David had given orders to spare Absalom’s life, disobeyed David’s command. For years he had been the chief advocate of reconciliation between the two, but he had reached a breaking point. So even while the other soldiers beg him to stop, Joab ran Absalom through with three javelins. The revolution was over, and David was once again king.

· But there was no rejoicing in this victory. News of Absalom’s death reached David, and it seemed, for the first time, David realized what he had lost.[4]

2 Samuel 18:1-5 (NASB) 1 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 about us; even if half of us die, they will not care 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 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 Absalom.

· We conclude that love for David had not wholly waned in Israel; others had marshalled under David’s banner. It should be noted that the troops he reviewed were not mercenaries there for filthy lucre’s sake, nor conscripts there by compulsion; they are described as being “with him” (v. 1). Love for David drew them and held them. They knew he cared for them, and that Absalom’s followers would show them no consideration or compassion (v. 3).[5]

· Which way David raised an army here, and what reinforcements had been sent him, we are not told; many, it is likely, from all the coasts of Israel, at least from the neighboring tribes, came to his assistance, so that, by degrees, he was able to make headway against Absalom, as Ahithophel, (David’s counselor who joined Absalom’s revolt against King David),[6] foresaw. Now here we have as we move into our story:

o David’s army numbered and marshalled, v. 1, 2. He had, no doubt, committed his cause to God by prayer, for that was his relief in all his afflictions; and then he took an account of his forces. Josephus says they were, in all, but about 4000. These he divided into regiments and companies,[7]

· A third of his troops he assigned to Joab; a third to Abishai, Joab’s brother; and a third to Ittai.

· David determined that he would lead the attack personally, but his comrades dissuaded him. He was worth 10,000 ofthem, they said. If half of them died all would go on. But if he died the whole cause would be lost. Reluctantly David agreed to remain behind but commanded his officers that they not harm Absalom in the battle.[8]

· “There are ten thousand of us but only one of you!” they argued.

o They knew that Absalom’s soldiers would go after the king and not worry about the soldiers. If David stayed in the city, he could send out reinforcements if they were needed. David accepted their decisions; he didn’t want to fight his son anyway.

· But neither did he want the army to fight his son! Absalom had stood at the gate in Jerusalem and attacked his father (15:1–6); now David stood at a city gate and instructed the soldiers to go easy on Absalom. Discuss.

o Absalom certainly hadn’t been gentle with his father!

§ He had murdered Amnon and driven David out of Jerusalem,

§ He had seized David’s throne,

§ He had violated David’s concubines, and now he was out to kill David.

📷 That doesn’t sound like the kind of man you would want to protect, but if David had one fault, it was pampering his sons (1 Kings 1:5–6; see 1 Sam. 3:13).

· Verses 4-5: David recognized the wisdom of the men’s advice. In an uncharacteristic display of royal deference, the king agreed to “do whatever seems best” to (v. 4) his administrative inferiors. Passively the king reviewed his army as they proceeded to engage the enemy.[9]

· But before we criticize David, we must remember that he was a man after God’s own heart. This would be a good point to pause and discuss!

· Let’s be thankful that our Father in heaven hasn’t dealt with us according to our sins (Ps. 103:1–14).

o In His grace, He gives us what we don’t deserve, and in His mercy, He doesn’t give us what we do deserve. Jesus didn’t deserve to die, for He was sinless; yet He took the punishment that belonged to us. What a Savior![10]

2 Samuel 18:6-8 (NASB) 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 men. 8 For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

· This succinct description of the ensuing battle divides into two parts:

o verses 6–7adepict the advance of David’s men towards the army of Absalom and the defeat of the latter by David’s troops, but in the middle comes the telling detail, and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim.

o From this verse comes the information that much of Gilead was covered in forest at that time. David had arranged that the battle should take place in this terrain, where the experience and courage of each individual soldier counted more than sheer numbers.

· Verses 7b–8 lay stress on the great loss of life, with the middle clause, the battle spread over the face of all the country, explaining the effect that the wooded landscape had on the battle, removing all sense of direction so that soldiers wandered aimlessly and got lost.

o The woodland was difficult, full of gorges and bogs and steep defiles leading down to the Jordan, and the fugitives easily lost their way in it, and wandered about till they were hopelessly entangled in thicket and morass.[11]

· The forest of Ephraim was not in the tribal territory of Ephraim, but east of the Jordan in Gilead. Gilead was apparently known for its forests (Jer. 22:6). Here David’s experienced army was at an advantage against even a much larger force of newly raised men, most of whom were apparently unable even to move around effectively in a forest.[12]

o ‘The Transjordan landscape gave everything it had to offer to the hungry David and his people in the form of food (17:28sq) through the agency of the inhabitants, the three friends of the king, but it consumed Absalom’s supporters, outdoing the sword in hunger.’

o Indeed, all nature conspired to prosper the cause of the king and defeat the rebel, even though the latter has the support of ‘all Israel’.[13]

2 Samuel 18:9-17 (NASB) 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 with his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof." 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. 15 And ten young men who carried Joab's armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him. 16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people. 17 They took Absalom and cast him into a deep pit in the forest and erected over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his tent.

· The soldiers who encountered Absalom hanging from the tree didn’t dare touch him, but Joab had his own agenda. It was Joab who had orchestrated the reconciliation of David and Absalom, and now Joab ignored David’s orders and killed the young man. Absalom rejected Ahithophel’s plan to “kill the king only,” but Joab accepted it! There’s a hint in verse 11 that Joab had quietly spread the word that he would reward any soldier who killed the rebellious son.

· The soldier who could have won the reward refused to kill Absalom for two reasons:

o he didn’t want to disobey the king, and

o he wasn’t sure Joab would defend him if the king found out about it.

o After all, David killed the man who said he killed Saul (1:1–16) as well as the two men who killed Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth (4:1ff). The soldier knew that Joab didn’t want to be caught issuing an order to kill the king’s son when the king commanded otherwise. The death of Absalom marked the end of the war and the rebellion, so Joab withdrew his troops.[14]

Thoughts to soak on as we review and look to tie this event to application.

· The defeat of Absalom’s forces came about through the skill of David’s loyal troops, but Absalom’s capture was the result of an accident. Again, we have a vivid picture, maybe even as it was reported by the soldier who found him. Let’s see how that happened😊.

· Absalom encountered David’s army and attempted to escape on his mule. In his attempt, his head and hair became entangled and wedged in the limbs of a prickly oak tree which was abundant in this area.

o The source of Absalom’s pride became the source of his fall. His big head and long hair got him into trouble. He was hanging over the ground.

o Absalom was alone and abandoned. Where are his bodyguards and friends? They are all gone or dead! The prodigal son found out the hard way too. When all was gone, his friends were gone too.

· Absalom was helpless and entangled in limbs.

o His predicament reminds us of the unsaved sinner, entangled in sinful habits and helpless in breaking the bondage of sin.

o Absalom had the opportunity right then to seek God’s forgiveness and repent, but he did not.[15]

· He had apparently made no attempt to prepare for the battle by cutting the long hair in which he took such great pride. Presumably he wanted all his fans to be able to recognize him and acknowledge his kingly appearance. As Proverbs 16:18 notes, reflecting perhaps on this incident, ‘Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

· The Orientals did not have saddles as in our time and did not sit so firmly on the beasts they rode. Absalom quit his hold of the bridle, apparently to release himself when caught in the oak and the mule escaped.[16] He was left helpless, but alive.

o One of the men told Joab and explained that he had seen Absalom but had not wanted to kill him because he remembered the words of David to deal gently with Absalom.

o Joab killed Absalom and ten others joined in the deed. Joab sounded the trumpet of victory. They buried Absalom beneath a great heap of stones.[17]

· If you study closely the actions of people, you will note that in verse 13, the man(not identified by Scripture) gave a remarkable insightful testimony:

o to David’s wisdom/understanding and perception: (“there is nothing hidden from the king”),

o and to Joab’s known unscrupulousness/ deviousness.[18](“then you yourself would have stood aloof.").

§ Remember in Vs. 18:5, “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 Absalom. Note a clue from the past about expected actions.

📷 2 Samuel 14:19 (NASB) 19 So the king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" And the woman replied, "As your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. Indeed, it was your servant Joab who commanded me, and it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your maid servant.

· Everyone was aware of David’s wishes about Absalom’s safety, and because of this, no one would take the responsibility of killing him. Joab, with harsh realism, believed that Absalom had to die. He understood that the young prince, whom he had previously encouraged and supported, was too dangerous to be allowed to live. He took the initiative, and his personal bodyguard finished the job.[19]

· Assyrian texts indicate that punishment of rebels regularly included impalement, leaving the bodies unburied. Israelite leaders also engaged in these forms of “display” (see the execution of the five enemy kings in Josh 10:27), but the bodies were not to be left hanging indefinitely (Deut 21:23).

o Thus, even accursed individuals would be buried under a pile of stone…. Not to be confused with the honorable funerary mounds of Mesopotamian kings.[20]

· Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up a pillar for himself: This is what we would expect from a self-centered, self-promoting man like Absalom. Joab made sure that Absalom did not have a memorial in death, but Absalom made himself a memorial in life.[21]

Where do we see Jesus in this passage?

· Just as David was betrayed by his close advisor Ahithophel, so our Lord was betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas (15:31; 16:23; Ps. 41:5–9; 55:12–14; John 13:18; 18:2; Matt. 26:14–16).

· Just as Ahithophel counseled Absalom to steal the kingdom by killing David the anointed king, so Jesus’ enemies thought they could keep their power by killing Jesus Christ (Matt. 21:38; John 11:50–52; Acts 4:24–28).

· Even when all seems lost from a human perspective, God accomplishes His purposes. Just as God sovereignly thwarted Ahithophel’s plan, so through the resurrection He thwarted the plans of those who killed the Lord Jesus (Acts 2:23–24; Ps. 41:10–13).

· David won the civil war and again reigned on the throne of Israel. Jesus reigns even after death.Both betrayers, Ahithophel and Judas, took their own lives (17:23; Matt. 27:1–5; Acts 1:18–20, 25).

· Just as David’s friends helped him in his time of great need and at great personal risk and cost (17:27–29), so Jesus is our true Friend who at great cost met and continues to meet our needs.

o 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NASB) 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

· Just as David’s friends willingly served God’s anointed king, so we should willingly serve Christ, even if we pay a price for our loyalty. In the end we, like they did, will receive a great reward.

Let’s look a little deeper here

· Mankind, like the people of Israel did, has rejected God’s King and enthroned another (Satan) who deceitfully promises us better things (Gen. 3:1–6). As a result we are under a curse, just as Absalom was. Jesus came and was also hung on a tree, not for his own sins (like Absalom), but to bear our curse (Gal. 3:13; Deut. 21:23).

· Jesus, like Absalom, had a spear thrust into Him(18:14; John 19:34).

o Just as David sought to do good to a son who hated him, so Jesus did good for His enemies (Luke 23:34; Rom. 5:6–10).

o Just as David sorrowed over the fate of his wayward son (18:33), so Jesus wept over the unbelief of His people (Luke 13:34; 19:41).

· Unlike David, Jesus is able to bring the prodigals home(Luke 1:17; 15:11–32).

How does this passage apply to us?

· Just as the Lord worked in spite of Ahithophel and Absalom, so God is still working out all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).

o He still brings judgment on evildoers (Ps. 73:16–20).

o He is sovereign, even over evil rulers who disregard or hate Him (Prov. 21:1).

o It is futile to try to thwart His purposes (Prov. 21:30; 16:1, 9).

o Because God is the ultimate power in the world, we don’t need to fear men (Prov. 29:25).

What about misleading people to serve God and do good?

· There are other examples in Scripture in which people mislead others or lied in what appears to be a good cause.

o Hushai delivered David by deceiving Absalom. In 16: 19 Hushai said he would serve Absalom. But the reader knows Hushai’s words are based on words suggested by David in 15:34. His pledge of loyalty to Absalom is in fact an act of obedience to David.[22]

o Through deceit, Rahab hid the spies in Joshua 2

o The midwives protected the babies in Exodus 1.

· There are also examples in Scripture in which subterfuge was used in war (Josh. 8).

o In light of the ninth commandment (Exod. 20:16) Christians debate whether it is ever permissible to lie.

§ Some would argue that Rahab, the midwives, and Hushai should have trusted God to provide a way of deliverance without compromising truth.

§ Others have concluded that while we owe our brothers and our neighbors the truth, we do not owe truth to our enemies (e.g. those who are trying to kill us in war).

📷 Either way, we can conclude that when someone lies to us, that person is treating us as an enemy.

o Falsehood destroys families, churches, and friendships (Eph. 4:25). If there is such a thing as righteous lying, it is very rare.

o Upon hearing of Absalom’s rebellion, David fled Jerusalem. Ahithophel then counseled Absalom to have intercourse with his father’s concubines, whom David had left in Jerusalem (2 Sam 15:16–17; Longman, 1 Samuel, 512). Ahithophel then advised Absalom to immediately pursue David and his few faithful followers (2 Sam 17:1)

§ Seeing that Absalom had ignored his advice and recognizing that reconciliation with David is impossible, Ahithophel returned to his home, set his affairs in order, and hung himself (2 Sam 17:23; Longman, 1 Samuel, 517–18).[23]

📷 Those who reject God’s anointed one have no hope, but God offers grace to those who will return to Him (Isa. 55:6–7).

Let Wrap this study up in a neat bow

· David’s loyal friends, who were willing to risk their lives to help God’s anointed king, exemplify the compassion and care we should have for those in need (17:27–29; Rom. 12:10, 15; 1 John 3:17–18) and the nature of loyal friendship (Prov. 17:7).

· David’s concern for Absalom, which exceeded the care he had for his loyal followers and for the will of God, serves as a warning to parents.

o A man can have a tender affection for his children and still raise them poorly, especially when he, like David and Eli, is more concerned about keeping his sons happy than pleasing the Lord (1 Sam. 2:29).

· The poignant picture of David weeping over Absalom is a reminder that many parents grieve deeply over their wayward children.

o Jesus warned that loyalty to Him would divide families (Luke 12:51–53).

o Spurgeon writes, “Our children may plunge into the worst of sins, but they are our children still … but at the same time, we cannot un-child them, nor erase their image from our hearts.”

o We gain some comfort from the fact that God Himself knows what it is like to grieve over rebellious sons.

§ “Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; for the Lordspeaks, ‘Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have revolted against Me’ ” (Isa. 1:2; see also Jer. 2:30).

· Absalom serves as a monument of warning to rebellious children who proudly turn from the Lord and dishonor their parents (Exod. 20:12; Prov. 20:20; 30:17). The Lordwill bring judgment upon proud and defiant young adults who refuse to repent (Ps. 92:7–9). He has many branches which stretch out for rebels (18:9).

Thoughts and Scriptures to Soak on

· David's faith and his trust in God, are dynamic examples for us.

o David's trust challenges us to trust God. God has the power to deliver us from all enemies. No matter who or what the enemy is, God can and will deliver us.

o But we must trust God, have faith in him. If we believe in God and trust God to empower us, He will infuse His power within us.

o God will strengthen us to withstand and conquer any trial or temptation. But we must always remember that belief—trusting God—is an absolute essential. Listen to the exhortations of God's Holy Word:

§ John 3:14-16 (NASB) 14 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

§ John 5:24 (NASB) 24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

· This lesson is a clear picture of judgment upon those who rebel against God’s anointed.

o Jesus Christ is the anointed ruler of the universe.

§ He is the one and only Son of God, the very embodiment of God Himself manifest in human flesh, sent into the world to reveal God to man, sent to be the Messiah and Savior of the world.

§ Christ and Christ alone stands as the anointed ruler whose commandments are to be obeyed.

· When dealing with Jesus Christ, either we believe in Him or we do not. Either we trust Him to be our Messiah and Savior or we do not.

o We believe that He saves us from sin, death, and the coming judgment or else we reject this truth.

o If we reject Christ, then God warns us: we will face the eternal judgment and condemnation of God.

o Listen to what the Holy Word of God says:[24]

§ Luke 15:25-28 (NASB) 25 "Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 "And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 "But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

§ Romans 13:13 (NASB) 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

§ 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NASB) 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

FOR FURTHER STUDY

1. What are some other examples in Scripture of the Lord sovereignly controlling the heart of a ruler (17:14; Prov. 21:1; Rom. 9:17)?[25]

[1]Chad Brand et al., eds., “David,” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 391. [2]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2 Samuel, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 146. [3]Jim Newheiser, Opening Up 2 Samuel, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One, 2014), 105. [4]J. D. Greear and Heath A. Thomas, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Samuel (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2016), 238. [5]T. Wilson, “2 Samuel,” in 1 and 2 Samuel, What the Bible Teaches (J. Ritchie, 2014), 373. [6]Chad Brand et al., eds., “Ahithophel,” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 39. [7]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume(Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 467. [8]Eugene H. Merrill, “2 Samuel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 473. [9]Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, vol. 7, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 420. [10]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Restored, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2002), 111–112. [11]H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., 2 Samuel, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 437. [12]David Toshio Tsumura, The Second Book of Samuel, ed. E. J. Young, R. K. Harrison, and Robert L. Hubbard Jr., New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2019), 260. [13]Joyce G. Baldwin, 1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 8, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 287–288. [14]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Restored, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2002), 113. [15]Rod Mattoon, Treasures from 2 Samuel, Treasures from Scripture Series (Springfield, IL: Rod Mattoon, 2002), 249. [16]Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 206. [17]Scott L. Tatum, “2 Samuel,” in The Teacher’s Bible Commentary, ed. H. Franklin Paschall and Herschel H. Hobbs (Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1972), 189. [18]Albert Barnes, Notes on the Old Testament: I Samuel to Esther, ed. F. C. Cook, J. M. Fuller (London: John Murray, 1879), 110. [19]Mary J. Evans, 1 & 2 Samuel, ed. W. Ward Gasque, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., and Robert K. Johnston, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012), 215. [20]Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 2 Sa 18:17. [21]David Guzik, 2 Samuel, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2013), 2 Sa 18:18. [22]Tim Chester, 2 Samuel for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2017), 123. [23]N. T. Parker, “Ahithophel the Counselor,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary(Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). [24]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2 Samuel, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 147. [25]Jim Newheiser, Opening Up 2 Samuel, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One, 2014), 106–110.