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DAVID WENT TO WAR WITH ABSALOM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
2 Samuel 18

Psalm 35:1-4

 

“Plead my cause, O LORD,

with them that strive with me…”

 

DAVID WENT TO WAR WITH ABSALOM
 
All this time, the activities of Absalom were that of rebellion. He was fighting to become king without any mandate from the Lord, not even from the people of Israel. David had to organise his army to counter Absalom. He gave orders to his captains to be lenient with Absalom and to spare Absalom. His men went with great force to the fighting field which was in the woodland. There were many casualties, the ringleader being one of them. The conflict eventually ended, but with much sorrow for David.
 
The king organised his army and numbered the people. The nation was then divided as some stood with Absalom and others with David. The king appointed three captains to lead his army; they were Joab, Abishai his brother and Ittai. Each had an equal number of fighters.
 
David proposed to go to the warfront with his army, but the people persuaded him not to. They told him that if they fled, the enemy would not care for the ordinary people such as them. They would not care even if half of them died. In this, David agreed with them, and did that which seemed best for them. He stood at the gate as the army marched to war by the thousands.
 
In this case, David delegated the responsibility to his three captains. Joab had a plan as to the fate of Absalom. The Lord also had ordained Absalom’s destiny.
 
THOUGHT: God guides, even when hard decisions are to be made.

PRAYER: Father, give me direction in matters of life and death.

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