# Day 118

# The Death of Absalom

2 Samuel 17:24–18:33

East of the Jordan River is Gilead. It’s a high place where David could safely hide. There an army gathered around the king. It was not big like Absalom’s army, but it was brave. As his army marched out to battle, David said, “Be gentle with Absalom.”

The armies fought a terrible battle. Twenty thousand men died. The armies scattered into the forest. Absalom saw his defeat coming and rode away to escape. Suddenly, his hair caught the branches of an oak tree. He was left hanging in the tree.

Three spears were in Joab’s hands when he found Absalom. These pierced through the heart of David’s son. Absalom was cut from the tree and thrown dead in a pit. Over the pit they built a huge heap of stones.

Watching by the city gates, David could see a runner. “This is the messenger from the battle,” he said. The runner approached. David asked, “Is Absalom all right?”

“All your enemies should lie dead like him.”

“O my son, Absalom,” David cried. “I wish I had died instead of you. My son! My son!”

Questions: What did David say when his army marched to battle? How did David feel when he learned of Absalom’s death?