2 Samuel 17.24-18.18

Absalom’s Death: The End of a Prideful Legacy

Intro

Everyone leaves behind a legacy, for better or for worse. We see this often in grave stones. So-and-so died who was a loving father, an endearing husband, and physician. Our entire life is captured on a stone capsule.

Absalom’s entire legacy was summed up in a monument that was self-erected. That is an of itself is a clear explanation of Absalom’s legacy, one built on selfishness. 2 Samuel 18:18“Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself the pillar that is in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s monument to this day.”

Clearly, Absalom was not the anointed king over Israel as David was. Absalom was not part of the covenantal promise made by the Lord to David regarding his descendents. Absalom represents a life of privilege without a life dedicated to the Lord. A life of self-kingdom building over a life of building the Lord’s kingdom.

In the end, pride must never be a prominent attitude in the lives of God’s covenantal people. Pride always seeks interests of the world rather than those of the Lord. We see this in Philippians 2.5-11, with regard to Christ’s own humility and the model of Christians.

Obey the Lord with humility

[1] provision for God’s people (17.24-29)

[2] protection for God’s king (18.1-8)

[3] punishment for God’s enemy (18.9-18)

[1] provision for God’s people (17.24-29)

Text

Places

Mahanaim

2 Samuel 2:8“But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim,”

People

Amasa

David’s nephew (1 Chr 2.13-17)

Take the place of Joab (2 Samuel 19:13“And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’ ”” )

Killed by Joab

2 Samuel 20:9–10“And Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.”

Shobi

From Rabbah (place Joab captured in 12.26-31)

Extension of David’s pardon

2 Samuel 10:1–2“After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. And David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the Ammonites.”

Machir

Mentioned in 2 Samuel 9:4 when David extended kindness to Mephibosheth

Man of wealth

Machir may well have been impressed by the graciousness shown by the king in sparing the life of a potential rival to his throne and his faithfulness in keeping his covenant promise to Jonathan in preserving his household

Barzillai

1 Kings 2:7“But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother.”

Sum of the men.

Shobi a pagan

Machir a Saul loyalist

Barzillai an older man

Not the quality of soldiers to be on David’s side

Prominence

Yahweh’s servants who serve Yahweh’s king

Stood by David and in proxy stood by the Lord

“Israel had a covenant king, and they had no right to abandon him. Nor did they. It should require no imagination to see that, covenantally, the Christian disciple stands in the same relation to the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of David and Yahweh’s appointed King. No matter how heavy the assault upon his authority and rule, no matter how much he is demeaned or despised, we are under orders to go on confessing him (Matt. 10:32–33) and supporting his subjects” (DRD, 221)

Providence

2 Samuel 17:29“[all the provisions] for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.””

Psalm 37:25“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”

Doctrine [Providence and Sustenance]

Concept grounded in 2 Samuel 7 and Davidic Covenant

Extension of CoG

Pointed to Christ

Eternal kingship of Christ

Concept which looks at God’s provision to his faithful remnant

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Remnant theology

Matthew 6:26“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Application

Use 1. We are loyal to the Lord despite the insurmountable odds.

Deny me, deny them

Use 2. We are loyal to the Lord due to what Christ has done for us

Use 3. We are loyal to the Lord because we are commanded to do so.

[2] protection for God’s king (18.1-8)

Text

A mighty Army

Joab

Abishai

Ittai the Gittite

2 Samuel 15:19–22“Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you.” But Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.” And David said to Ittai, “Go then, pass on.” So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.”

A tactical battle

David organized his forces to deploy and maneuver in a way that would maximize his strength

Chose the place of battle

Heavily wooded, unfamiliar

Drew upon vast military experience

Knew what it was like to fight with the odds against him

A humble request

David’s willingness

Recognition of the Lord’s protection

Psalm 3:6“I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.”

Psalm 27:1–3“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”

Psalm 118:6–8“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”

The wisdom of his advisors

Hope for Absalom

Dealing gently knowing the punishment due in God’s Law

Deuteronomy 21:18–21““If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.”

An extension of kingly grace upon Absalom

A fierce battle

In Ephraim, west of the Jordan

Absalom’s Israel defeated

Unfamiliar retreat (not like the ents!)

Doctrine [Spiritual Warfare]

Where our battleground is

Greater commander

Full armor of God

Application

Use 1. Extending grace to our enemies is befitting behavior for Christians

Use 2. Confiding in the Lord’s provision give us ease in challenging situations.

The Lord always provides for his people

He does it by saving us.

Abraham and the ram instead of Isaac

Pictured and fully realized in Christ

He does it by providing escapes

1 Corinthians 10:13“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Use 3. Confiding in the Lord’s providence provides assurance when wickedness is around us.

Even when the cards were stacked against David he sought the Lord

He knew God’s ever-present providence

Romans 12:19“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

Proverbs 24:17–19“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,”

Pray for the Lord’s vindication as the Psalmist

Psalm 94:1–3“O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?”

Use 4. Recognizing the payment for wicked men reminds us of the wrath averted on our behalf.

Temporal judgment pails in comparison to eternal judgment

Christ’s atonement paid for the wrath we deserved.

Christ as King extends mercy to us even when we deserved far worse.

[3] punishment for God’s enemy (18.9-18)

Focus upon Absalom’s death

Head caught on branches

Known for his appearance and looks which became downfall

Mule symbolic

Associated with royalty

Royal steed abandoned Absalom

Absalom’s kingship abandoned

Cursed of hanging

Deuteronomy 21:23“his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.”

Violation of God’s law (5CV)

Rebellion against father

Exodus 20:12““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

Deuteronomy 5:16““ ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

Murder of Amnon (6CV)

2 Samuel 13:28–29“Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.”

Sleeping with David’s concubines (7CV)

Leviticus 20:11“If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”

Brutality of his death

Three spears

Usually marks completion in OT

Burial

Form of burial was similar to that of an enemy

Joshua 7:25–26“And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.”

Joab once again taking matters into his own hands

Killing Absalom when David requested he didn’t

Could be a mercy kill?

Doesn’t fit with Joab’s pattern of behavior

Joab’s continued demeanour

Kills Absalom (18:14-17)

Directs messengers (19-23)

Squelches another rebellion (20:4-22)

God is the vindicator of this justice and judgment

Commentator “Absalom had rebelled against divine law by rebelling against his father (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16) and sleeping with members of David’s harem (Lev. 20:11). Absalom had the massive armies of Israel fighting to protect him, and he was personally equipped with a fast means of escape not afforded other soldiers—a mule. Nevertheless, in spite of these seemingly insurmountable advantages, Absalom could not escape God’s judgment.… The fearful judgment of the Torah had proven credible: the Lord had upheld his law

Symbolic of our due reward and Christ’s atonement

Our eternal destiny apart from Christ, being cursed of God

Romans 12:19“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

Christ becoming a curse for us

Galatians 3:13“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—”

For the purpose of atonement 1 John 2:2“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Application

Use 1. The Lord conquers our enemies on our behalf.

In light of spiritual warfare

Luke 11:21–22“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.”

Great opposition, yet a great King who conquers

Ephesians 1:22“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,”

Revelation 12:11“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Romans 8:34“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

Use 2. The Lord sets a precedent on interpersonal relationships

Remember Absalom’s demeanor in stealing the hearts of Israel

Wanted to circumvent his father

Falsely accusing

Our desire to falsely accuse or criticize our own leaders

Great call to be humble and submissive in the Christian life

Flows from study in Romans

Use 3. The Lord is faithful in his judgment against the wicked.

God promises to judge, and he does so

Wasn’t in the expected timeline of those around David

God’s faithfulness to His covenant

Extends to his continued covenant faithfulness toward us

Cov of Grace and Christ’s fulfillment

The wicked were judged in Christ