Entangled
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In retreating from the battlefield, Absalom’s long hair was caught in the branches of a large oak tree. His mule kept going, leaving him dangling from the tree, unable to touch the ground. In this helpless state, he was surrounded by enemies.
A soldier, fearing to anger David by disobeying an explicit order, left Absalom and reported his finding to Joab, who would have rewarded him if he had killed Absalom.
He replied, “Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son” (2 Samuel 18:12).
He knows that the life of the one who kills Absalom in violation of orders will be forfeit. “Joab was restrained by no scruples. He had befriended Absalom, having twice secured his reconciliation with David, and the trust had been shamelessly betrayed. But for the advantages gained by Absalom through Joab’s intercession, this rebellion, with all its horrors, could never have occurred. Now it was in Joab’s power at one blow to destroy the instigator of all this evil.” “Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts [javelins] in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom” (v. 14).
Joab’s bodyguards took down the dead prince’s body and threw it into a pit in the woods to deny him burial in his family’s vault. Over the body, they piled stones so he might not be found. “During his lifetime Absalom had reared for himself a costly monument in the king’s dale, but the only memorial which marked his grave was that heap of stones in the wilderness.” Such “was the end of the proud and handsome prince who placed his own interests before the interests of his people, his father, and his God.” The trumpet sounded, recalling David’s men from their pursuit of the enemy. With the usurper killed, there was no need for further bloodshed.
What, if any, memorial do you desire?
