1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,960 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and Absalom met the servants of David 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:09,399 Speaker 1: an Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under 3 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:12,240 Speaker 1: the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head 4 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up 5 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: between the heaven and the earth, and the mule that 6 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: was under him went away Second Samuel eighteen nine, Heavenly Father, 7 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: to day, I will focus my heart and energy in 8 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 1: the direction of those who have chosen to stand by 9 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: me in the battle to achieve my goals. While others 10 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: are focusing on all those who have left their lives, 11 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 1: I will instead focus on all those who have encouraged 12 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: and have fought for me through prayer and proximity. To day, 13 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 1: I will celebrate my winds with those loyal to me 14 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: and my family. To day, I will rejoice and praise 15 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: You Lord with those who have chosen to build alongside 16 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: me even in my toughest times. I thank you for 17 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: the Joe abs in my life who constantly remind me 18 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:10,199 Speaker 1: to stop crying and to stop giving my best energy 19 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:13,639 Speaker 1: to those who choose to exit my life. Like David 20 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: did with Absolom, I will be mindful and open to 21 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 1: hearing hard corrections, because in the end, the words of 22 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:25,960 Speaker 1: a friend may be bitter than lies from my enemies 23 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:29,679 Speaker 1: seem sweet. But because of this, I will look to 24 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:32,919 Speaker 1: those who tell me the truth, even when it doesn't 25 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: feel good. I praise you Yahweh, for you are all 26 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 1: around me, creating opportunities to strengthen that which remains my 27 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: true relationships in Jesus name. Amen, Thank you for praying 28 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: with us to day. Continue your time with God by 29 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: listening to to day's Bible story brought to you by 30 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 1: Bible and Year dot Com. 31 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 2: The Death of Absalom. In our last story, Absalom successfully 32 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 2: took the throne of David. David, not wanting to cause 33 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 2: a civil war in the streets of Jerusalem, fled into 34 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 2: the wilderness until he could plan his next step. Now 35 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 2: we see Absalom mounting his attack on David and his 36 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 2: men and the tragic fall that comes after pride. Inspired 37 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:39,399 Speaker 2: by the Book of Second Samuel. 38 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Jack Graham with today's episode of the 39 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. In our previous episode, we 40 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 3: heard how Absalom spread lies and rumors to undermine David's 41 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 3: rule until he was finally ready to strike and overthrow 42 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 3: his father David. David, who was unwilling to sacrifice his 43 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 3: people to keep his throne, fled to the wilderness, trusting 44 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:05,920 Speaker 3: that God would restore him in his own time and 45 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 3: in his own way. Today we'll learn how Absalom takes 46 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 3: the fight to David, believing he will win. His pride 47 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 3: will be his downfall as David and his mighty men 48 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 3: once more show their courage and strengthen battle and their 49 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 3: loyalty to David and their faith in God. Let's listen 50 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 3: now to today's scripture. 51 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,519 Speaker 2: Just like old times, David and his mighty men prepared 52 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 2: for battle in the wilderness. There was something primal about exile. 53 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 2: David and his men thought back on their time on 54 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 2: the run from Saul. That is where they truly bonded 55 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 2: and banded together as a unit. It was almost as 56 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 2: if being in the wilderness was an unforeseen advantage. David 57 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 2: sent his commanders Joe, ab Etai, and Abashi to gather 58 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 2: them in. David began setting his armor and sharpening his sword. 59 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 2: Abishai sat beside him. You should not go into battle 60 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 2: with us, David, he said. David turned and looked shocked. 61 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 2: Abishi put his hand on David's shoulder and said, if 62 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 2: for some reason they overtake us, we need to have 63 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:17,479 Speaker 2: the freedom to retreat. If you are there, they will 64 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 2: not allow us to retreat. You are the prize they 65 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 2: are hunting. You must stay back. David's lips tightened and 66 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 2: his brow furrowed. He was in deep thought. He knew 67 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:32,799 Speaker 2: Abershire was right. You must send word out to anyone 68 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 2: loyal than Israel willing to fight with us, Abishai, said, 69 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 2: David nodded and said, whatever seems best to you, I 70 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 2: will do so. David sent them off. As they were departing, 71 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 2: David turned to his generals and said, please, for my sake, 72 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:54,520 Speaker 2: deal gently with Absalom. They agreed, and rode into the 73 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 2: distance to face Absalom's army. Absalom stood at the head 74 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 2: of his army, watching the men of David appear from 75 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 2: the distance. A small forest stood in between them, and 76 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:08,159 Speaker 2: the two armies began to run towards one another through 77 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:11,840 Speaker 2: the trees. The mighty men of David used the trees 78 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 2: to their advantage, ramming soldiers into the wood. The armies 79 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 2: of Absalom barely stood a chance against them. Absalom watched 80 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:23,679 Speaker 2: as his men were buried under the fury of David's army. 81 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 2: He looked to his left and to his right. Blood 82 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 2: shed and carnage was everywhere, and Absalom fled in a 83 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:34,720 Speaker 2: frantic attempt to save his life. As he rode through 84 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 2: the trees, his head was snagged between two branches, and 85 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 2: his horse continued to ride without him. Absalom's neck was 86 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,480 Speaker 2: gripped between the two branches, and he flailed in the 87 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 2: air trying to catch a breath. A few of David's 88 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,600 Speaker 2: men stood under Absalom, watching him squirm in the air. 89 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 2: Joab and Abershi bickered over whether to kill him or not. 90 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 2: Yet Joab saw very little use in arguing further. He 91 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 2: took his spear and drove Ovid into Absalom. As he 92 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 2: hung there, they drug Absalom's body through dirt and leaves. 93 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,320 Speaker 2: There they threw him into a pit and put stones 94 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 2: above his body. His grave would serve as a reminder 95 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 2: that a kingdom established by pride and greed would be 96 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:20,720 Speaker 2: a kingdom short lived. When David learned of Absalom's death, 97 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:25,159 Speaker 2: he returned home and wept for days. David's heart broke 98 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 2: at his son's fate and wished that there could have 99 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 2: been another way to save him. Joab returned home from 100 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 2: victory and saw that the streets of Israel mourned in 101 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 2: shame for Absalom's death. There, grieving, vexed Joab, he walked 102 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 2: into the house of David to see him lying on 103 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 2: the floor weeping over his son. Joab approached David and 104 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 2: picked him up off the floor and slammed him against 105 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,920 Speaker 2: the wall. The floor shook and a few cups fell 106 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 2: off the table beside them. David looked at Joab, shocked 107 00:06:56,520 --> 00:07:00,360 Speaker 2: and confused. Joab continued to press David against the wall 108 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 2: as he yelled, today we have saved you, Israel, and 109 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 2: your entire family from the tyranny of your son. Your 110 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:10,440 Speaker 2: whole household and all of Israel should be rejoicing, but 111 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 2: instead they feel ashamed because you refuse to encourage them. 112 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 2: Joab released David and swatted at the air. He turned 113 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 2: and pointed to David again, yelling, you can't help yourself. David. 114 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 2: Ever since I have known you, you have loved those 115 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 2: who hate you and hated those who love you. Do 116 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 2: we mean nothing to you? We just got home from battle, 117 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 2: and we have to come home to these darkened streets 118 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 2: filled with tears. Joab's legs began to shake. He was 119 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 2: tired from battle and frustrated at his king. He sighed 120 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 2: and said, I swear if you do not go out 121 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 2: there and encourage your people, your men will lose hope 122 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 2: in you. They bled for you. The least you can 123 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 2: do is thank them instead of wallowing in self pity 124 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:01,080 Speaker 2: over your traitor's son. David said nothing to Joeab. 125 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 3: He was right. 126 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 2: David had always spent so much time pining after the 127 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 2: affection of those who betrayed him. Saul and Absalom were 128 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 2: both examples of that. David composed himself and walked among 129 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 2: the streets of Israel. He encouraged those who were mourning, 130 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:22,000 Speaker 2: and stood at the gates and resolved. 131 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 3: In God's word. Today the stage is set for battle. 132 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 3: Absalom's army is preparing to attack his father, but David 133 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 3: and his men are ready, and they're much more seasoned warriors. 134 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:39,840 Speaker 3: David put three of his most trusted commanders in charge 135 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 3: of his army, joe ebb Abishai, and Itah. Though he 136 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:46,920 Speaker 3: did not want to fight his son. David began to 137 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 3: prepare for the battle as well, but Abishai advised David 138 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 3: to stay behind for his safety, knowing that David's life 139 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 3: was of great value. David trusted his men and agreed 140 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 3: to follow Abishai's council. As his men ready themselves to 141 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 3: go to the battle, David had a request. We read 142 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 3: this in Second Samuel eighteen, verse five. And the king 143 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: ordered Joe ab Abashai and Edtai deal gently for my 144 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 3: sake with the young man Absalom. And all the people 145 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 3: heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders 146 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:25,119 Speaker 3: about Absalom. After all the betrayal, after all that Absalom 147 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 3: had done to David and his family, David still loved 148 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 3: his son, his flesh and blood, and he requested that 149 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:35,439 Speaker 3: his life be spared. It may have seemed outrageous to 150 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:37,920 Speaker 3: those who heard it, as it made to you today. 151 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 3: Absalom had committed treason and was actively trying to kill 152 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 3: his father, and yet David asked his men for mercy 153 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:49,600 Speaker 3: upon his son. It's possible that this is a fault 154 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 3: in David's life in that he failed to correct his children. 155 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 3: One might even say that he was soft on discipline, 156 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:59,360 Speaker 3: But we also see in David a heart after God, 157 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 3: and his heart is long suffering and full of love 158 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 3: and grace towards others. And despite the failures of his 159 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 3: son and his family, David was a faithful father in 160 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 3: so many ways. This would be a good time to 161 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:19,559 Speaker 3: remind ourselves that we have a good, good father, a gracious, 162 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 3: heavenly father who loves us and is merciful towards us, 163 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 3: and is forgiving even when we run away and betray him. 164 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 3: Jesus is the son of the Father who went to 165 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 3: the cross and died and rose again so that we 166 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:37,440 Speaker 3: could be reunited with God, our father. God went to 167 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,439 Speaker 3: war for us, not against us, and he fought for 168 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 3: our hearts and our lives and our souls. David's men 169 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 3: accepted David's request and set off for the fight, and 170 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 3: as fights go, this one wasn't much of a match. 171 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:56,400 Speaker 3: David's army was stronger, wiser, and more skill than Absalom's army, 172 00:10:56,440 --> 00:11:00,320 Speaker 3: and they quickly won the fight. Absalom was no war 173 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 3: and seeing the defeated hand, he fled the fight on 174 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 3: his mule, and as he rode through the trees, his 175 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:08,560 Speaker 3: head was caught between the branches and he hung there 176 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:13,600 Speaker 3: helpless and unable to escape. One of Joab's men found him, 177 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:19,680 Speaker 3: but he remembered David's orders and was unwilling to kill Absalom. Joab, however, 178 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 3: acted swiftly and with his armor bearers, killed Absalom, then 179 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 3: took his body down from the tree. He then buried 180 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,320 Speaker 3: the body and erected stones over the grave, a monument 181 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 3: named after Absalom himself, to remind all of how God 182 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 3: had dealt swiftly with the counterfeit. King David was now 183 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 3: free from danger. His son, who sought to kill him, 184 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:46,240 Speaker 3: was dead, but this was of no comfort to David. 185 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 3: David wept and grieved his son, and when Joeab saw 186 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 3: David's response, he could not stay silent any longer and 187 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 3: rebuked David for focusing on his sorrow for the loss 188 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 3: of one who wanted to kill him, rather than rerigche 189 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 3: rejoicing in his deliverance and encouraging those who remain loyal 190 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 3: to him. The king was convicted by the honest words 191 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:10,840 Speaker 3: of his loyal commander and friend. He rose from his 192 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 3: mourning and sat at the gate and received his people 193 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 3: who trusted in him as the king that he was 194 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 3: truly God's King, it was time to return to Jerusalem, 195 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 3: and we'll hear more about that the next time. Dear God, 196 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:27,920 Speaker 3: we thank you for today's message of restoration and the 197 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:31,320 Speaker 3: victory for David and his men. Thank you for the 198 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 3: reminder that your promises always endure, as does your patient 199 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 3: love for us. In Jesus's name, Amen, thank you for 200 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 3: listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor 201 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 3: Jack Graham, and we appreciate so very much your interest, 202 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 3: your prayers, and your involvement in this wonderful effort to 203 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 3: walk through the Bible. I would encourage you to download 204 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 3: Theprey dot com app and make prayer a true priority 205 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:03,160 Speaker 3: in your along with the study of God's word. If 206 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 3: you appreciate and have enjoyed this podcast, it would be 207 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:08,960 Speaker 3: very helpful if you would share it with someone you love, 208 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 3: because it will make a huge difference in their lives. 209 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 3: And if you want to know more about how you 210 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,000 Speaker 3: can know Jesus and follow him how you can live 211 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 3: the Christian life, be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. 212 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 3: Thank you and God bless you.