18:1 mustered the people who were with him Seems to imply that David has had time to regroup while at Mahanaim and enlist the support of additional forces. See 17:1 and note.

18:2 Joab David’s nephew and the commander of his army. See 2:13 and note.

a third of Dividing his forces into three groups proves to be a decisive strategy for David (see v. 6).

Ittai the Gittite See 15:19–22.

I, even I, will certainly go out David may wish to accompany his troops to ensure that Absalom is not killed if captured (see v. 5).

Ittai the Gittite The commander of a band of mercenaries from Gath. He maintained loyalty to David (see 15:18–22).

18:3 You will not go out David’s death is Absalom’s primary objective in this confrontation (see 17:2–3). In order to protect him, David’s men urge him to remain in Mahanaim while they fight (compare 11:1).

18:4 what seems good in your eyes David defers to his military leaders. If he were to be captured and killed, his military leaders would probably be executed (which makes the events of 19:13 all the more surprising).

the king stood at the side of the gate Although he does not accompany the army to battle, David exercises his role as commander in chief and hails them as they set out.

18:5 Joab, Abishai, and Ittai See v. 2.

gently David attempts to absolve himself of any involvement in Absalom’s death. Similar events occur in regard to the deaths of Saul, Jonathan, Abner, Ish-bosheth, and Amnon (see 1 Sam 29:11 and note; note on 2 Sam 3:31–39; note on 4:1–12; 13:21 and note).

all the troops heard David’s order, coupled with his mourning in ch. 19, creates a conflict of interest for his army (see 19:2–3).

18:6 the forest of Ephraim This rugged terrain provides a strategic advantage for David and his men because they are accustomed to hiding in the dense environment provided by forests (e.g., 1 Sam 22:5). This forest was apparently located east of the Jordan River (compare Josh 17:14–18).

Battles of Saul and David Table

18:8 all the land Refers to the country of Ammon (2 Sam 17:24, 27).

the forest devoured more Absalom’s army is not used to fighting in the forest, which is better suited for David’s smaller force.

18:9 his head was caught He is caught by his hair, a masterful literary connection to David’s statement in 14:11.

. He was left hanging between heaven and earth Absalom is dangling from the tree’s branches.

the mule which was under him went on Absalom loses his kingly transportation, symbolizing his loss of Israel’s throne (see 13:29 and note).

18:11 ten pieces of silver and a leather belt Joab’s reward for the person who kills Absalom shows that he intends to defy the king’s order (see v. 5). This rebellion leads to Joab’s deposal in 19:13.

18:12 I would not have sent my hand The unnamed soldier appears more righteous than his commander, Joab.

18:13 you would have presented yourself aloof The soldier insinuates that Joab could not be trusted to come to his defense. If he would deliberately betray David—his king and uncle—then he would have no trouble handing over a mere soldier.

18:14 No longer will I wait Surprisingly, Joab does nothing to the soldier for his insolence. Instead, he proceeds immediately to Absalom’s location, intent on killing him.

thrust them into the heart of Absalom Joab may have thrown javelins to dislodge Absalom from the tree’s branches in addition to killing him. Though Absalom apparently survived the initial blows (see v. 15), the wounds were probably fatal.

18:15 ten of the young men Multiple participants means that no individual would be culpable for Absalom’s death.

and killed Absalom Perhaps intended to remove direct bloodguilt from Joab, who speared Absalom three times.

18:16 Joab blew on the trumpet Signals the end of the battle.

18:17 a very great heap of stones Recalls the Achan incident (see Josh 7:26).

18:18 in the valley of the king Possibly identical to the Valley of Shaveh (Gen 14:17). The precise location is unknown.

I have no son Second Samuel 14:27 states that Absalom had three sons. They apparently died, leaving Absalom with no legitimate heir; alternatively, he may have erected the monument before they were born.

18:19 let me run and bring the good news to Ahimaaz, mentioned earlier as one of David’s spies (17:17), wants to report the news of their victory over Absalom’s forces to David.

18:20 the king’s son is dead Joab knows that David will not be happy to receive the news of Absalom’s death. He may fear that the king will kill one of his prized runners (news bearers).

18:21 Cushite A foreigner. Traditionally identified as a person from Ethiopia.

18:22 let me also run after the Cushite Perhaps knowing that the Cushite (a foreigner) would be unfamiliar with the territory and the fastest route, Ahimaaz asks permission to run after him. His motive appears to be that if he outran the Cushite, Ahimaaz could choose to offer only partial news. By reporting victory and omitting the news of Absalom’s death, Ahimaaz could remain in the king’s good graces.

18:25 good news is in his mouth The fact that he is alone distinguishes him as a runner, a royal or military messenger.

18:27 like the running of Ahimaaz In contrast to the unidentified foreigner of v. 24, Ahimaaz is distinguished by his running form.

18:29 I do not know Ahimaaz feigns ignorance (compare v. 22 and note). He leaves the task of reporting the bad news to the Cushite.

18:32 like the young man The Cushite assumes that Absalom’s death will be good news to the king. David’s reaction in 18:33–19:4 demonstrates otherwise.