2 Samuel 18:1-8
As David reviewed his troops before the battle with Absalom’s army, it is interesting the numbers that had come with King David or had joined him later. Beginning in verses one and two we find this information: “Then David mustered the men who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. And David sent out the army, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite.”
A leader should first and foremost listen to the Lord, and often the Lord will speak to us through others, this was what happened on the day of battle with Absalom and his army. In verses 2b-4, “The king told the troops, “I myself will surely march out with you.”
But the men said, “You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.”
The king answered, “I will do whatever seems best to you.”
So the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands.”
David was not only the anointed king of Israel and Judah, he was a man after God’s own heart, and he, like you and me, was also a sinner. But one must never forget that a man seeking God will have a father’s heart, and David loves his son Absalom, and it is important for us to know that God loves us. So in verse five, we have the King gave this command; “And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.”
Now you recall that David divided his troops into three groups because they were attacking a more significant force, and this would have made Absalom’s general spread his forces over a larger area. But the real battle took place in the forest of Ephraim, a few miles northwest of where David and the people were waiting to get a report. On that day the battle did not go well for Absalom and Israel, by drawing Absalom’s army out of the open country where their superior numbers would be a significant advantage, entering the forest took away the benefit of the more substantial army. And it cost 20,000 of Israel’s men their lives, and it's reported that the woods killed more than David’s army. My only comment is, when God is fighting for you any old forest will win the battle!
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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