2 Samuel 18 Study Notes
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18:1 The phrase commanders of thousands and of hundreds shows that David had been able to rally considerable support for his cause.
18:2 Dividing his warriors into thirds would provide David more flexibility in battling Absalom’s forces.
18:3-4 The people considered David’s suggestion to march out with them too risky, so they prevailed on him to support them from the city—to stay away from direct confrontation with Absalom’s forces.
18:5 The text makes clear that David gave specific instructions about Absalom’s treatment, and it emphasizes that all the people heard the king’s orders.
18:6 The forest of Ephraim lay a few miles northwest of Mahanaim.
18:7-8 David divided his troops into three groups. This allowed him to spread Absalom’s forces thinly over the entire area, preventing their united stand in the open country where their superior numbers would give them the advantage. A forest presented natural obstacles or threats such as wild animals, pits, low branches, and marshes.
18:9-11 Joab learned about Absalom’s defenseless position. David’s general had once again determined to take matters into his own hands for what he believed to be the king’s own good.
18:12 This soldier was not ready to disobey a charge that David had given his generals. He also repeated David’s charge; the writer is making clear that Joab knew David’s command.
18:13 The warriors did not trust Joab. If they killed Absalom, they thought Joab might let the blame fall on them.
18:14-15 Now at the place where Absalom was hanging alive in the oak tree, Joab and his men surrounded him, struck him, and killed him in violation of David’s order.
18:16 Joab then blew the ram’s horn to assemble the troops (2:28; 20:1,22). With Absalom dead, the battle was over.
18:17 All Absalom’s supporters fled, uncertain what reprisal might come from David’s victorious forces. Absalom’s body was taken down and thrown into a large pit in the forest and covered with a huge mound of stones, thus denying him a place in his family’s tombs and dishonoring him in his death (Jos 7:26).
18:18 Absalom had claimed that he had no son. Actually, he had three sons (14:27), so they must have preceded him in death.
18:19 Ahimaaz had been David’s trusted messenger throughout the ordeal, and now he wished to carry the good news of David’s victory. He also may have thought he could more gently break the news of Absalom’s death to his father than another messenger could.
tsaphah
| Hebrew pronunciation | [tsah FAH] |
| CSB translation | watch, look |
| Uses in 2 Samuel | 6 |
| Uses in the OT | 37 |
| Focus passage | 2 Samuel 18:24-27 |
Tsaphah denotes watch (1Sm 4:13), watch expectantly (Ps 5:3), watch over (Pr 31:27), or stand watch (2Sm 13:34). It usually occurs as a participle meaning watchman (Is 52:8) or lookout (Is 21:6). Tsaphah means watch (Jr 48:19) or look to (Mc 7:7), observe (Pr 15:3), and with “eye” implies keep an eye on (Ps 66:7). The wicked lie in wait for the righteous (Ps 37:32). The passive participle apparently means destined (Jb 15:22). Related tsippiyyah signifies watchtower (Lm 4:17). Mitspeh is watchtower (Is 21:8) or place overlooking (2Ch 20:24). It is also the name Mizpeh (7x). The name Mizpah (40x) means “place of watch,” and occurs in a wordplay with tsaphah (Gn 31:49) because God would watch two parties to see whether a covenant was kept. God compares Israel’s prophets (Ezk 3:17) and leaders (Is 56:10) to watchmen responsible for national welfare.
18:20-22 Joab probably feared the bearer of this news might meet a bad end and considered a Cushite’s life less valuable.
18:23 Ahimaaz appears to have taken the longer but easier route and thus outran the Cushite.
18:24-26 Certain runners brought good news and others brought bad news. That way, as soon as a runner was recognized, the people knew the basic outcome (v. 27). Sometimes a solitary runner indicated good news and two runners together indicated bad news (vv. 25-26).
18:27 David’s recognition of Ahimaaz brought the king hope that all was well.
18:28 Ahimaaz announced David’s victory without specifically mentioning Absalom’s death.
18:29-32 David’s question revealed the focus of his concern. Ahimaaz, who knew the truth, suddenly found himself at a loss for words. After the Cushite responded essentially as Ahimaaz had (vv. 28,31), David’s further inquiry specifically about Absalom brought the reply the king did not want to hear. The kingdom was David’s again, but he had lost another son.
18:33 The chamber above the city gate provided isolation for David, though the sound of his wailing could be heard by others (19:1).