Q3. Absalom, My Son!

[Lorraine Overstreet]

Q3. (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8)

Why does David command mercy for Absalom in the battle?

Why does Joab kill him against David’s orders?

How does David’s loud mourning threaten his kingdom?

What does this say about his followers’ loyalty?

What does it say about David’s faith?

About his weaknesses?

a) Absalom is David's son, whom he loves, and he did not want

harm to come to Absalom during battle.

Jaob killed Absalom. It came down to Absalom's character - he would

do whatever was necessary to get his way. He sought to kill the Lod's

anointed on (David his father) - Joab also knew that Absalome would

cause controversy in the kingdom.

c) With David's loud mourning - he could be heard all over the camp -

David was humiliating his warriors, who put their lives on the line for

David. Joab told David "you have made it clear today that the commanders

and their men mean nothing to you" Joab told David to go and encourage

your men, if you do not, not a man will be left with you by nigtfall.

d) This shows his followers were loyal to the point of putting their lives on

the line for David, especially Joab, who was loyal enough to rebuke David

with the truth and saved David's kingdom.

e) David's faith is still strong, His followers remembered all he had done

in the past because of his Faith.

d) David's one main weakness was his family, friends, and followers. David

could not seem to correct / discipline them when they need correction.

[tammie7]

He loved his son,Because his kingdom (daivid) will never he safe.

He love his son and was not showing his warrior no respect. They

was loyal to Daivid. Daivid had a lot of faith.Hi weakness was his

son.

[wifee]

3a) As a father he wanted to save sons life. and also knew Absalom’s actions were. a direct fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy of judgment upon David,

B)Joab knew David wouldn’t discipline hi m, and did what needed to be done to save David’s throne.

c)The victory over Absalom’s army should have been of celebration &encouragement for David’s troops. David’ mourning for Absalom indicates his life was more important than his men,his ignoring of heir sacrifice or him&in ability to thank his troops dampened &lowered their moral&trust in David as a leader.

D)) David’s troops are loyal to his commands to their death. Joab is supportive of David, but in this case decides what he feels best in his actions, even if means disobeying David.

e)David loves God, seeks to obey his will, though fails in this too. His faith is strong, even against opposition. He trusts in God’s mercy. He demonstrates this with his actions/requests too

f)David is weak when it comes to disciplining e.g. Absalom for rebelling, Amnon for raping sister, and his own temptations of the flesh e.g. David’s sexual sin with Bathsheba& devious act of murder of Uriah to cover it up. He didn’t show full respect for his troops in battle of Forest of Ephraim.

 

 

[webster52]

Why does David command mercy for Absalom in the battle? David has had a problem or weakness disciplining his sons. Perhaps it stems from David’s past sins that he feels responsible for their shortcomings, but it has caused him problems and exhibits preferential treatment that he otherwise does not extend to others.

Why does Joab kill him against David's orders? Joab is smart enough to know that David will somehow excuse Absalom’s rebellion, and he surmises that Absalom will again usurp his father, so with David and the nation Israel in mind he executes Absalom and removes the threat. An audacious but necessary move by Joab.

How does David's loud mourning threaten his kingdom? In view of the victory and the crushing defeat of the rebellion, David’s faithful followers were in a celebratory mentality and David’s loud mourning which our text says could be heard all over the city had to send a mixed message to the people. They were elated that the victory was theirs and David’s throne was safe but their king is lamenting over the loss of the very one who orchestrated the entire attempted overthrow.

What does this say about his followers' loyalty? They were loyal to David; they were willing to go to war to defend his kingship even though David is not displaying his normal enthusiasm and fervor.

What does it say about David's faith? His faith I believe is strong, he seems willing and content to accept Divine providence.

What does it say about his weaknesses? His weakness in parental discipline is still quite apparent. His departure from traditional approaches of a conquering king (showing mercy and not slaying the disposed combatants) can be deemed as mercy or apathy, nevertheless a different approach than would be expected.

[karynjg]

 (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8) Why does David command mercy for Absalom in the battle? Why does Joab kill him against David's orders? How does David's loud mourning threaten his kingdom? What does this say about his followers' loyalty? What does it say about David's faith? About his weaknesses?

 

David has a deep affection for his children, in spite of their rebellious behavior.  Joab is able to see the true nature of the situation: that David is still an adequate leader and his son Absalom would be a evil king.  When the opportunity arises to finish Absalom, he does so to protect David and his kingdom.  For the people to see David's mourning over selfish Absalom shows disrespect for the men who have protected David.  Is this showing a wavering faith?  No, I believe he is just a sensitive man who is mourning his son, but needs to restrain his emotions to show his kingdom he is still a strong leader.

[WinstonY]

Q3. (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8) Why does David command mercy for Absalom in the battle? Why does Joab kill him against David’s orders? How does David’s loud mourning threaten his kingdom? What does this say about his followers’ loyalty? What does it say about David’s faith? About his weaknesses?

David commands mercy for  Absalom  because he loves his son.

Joab The Kills Absalom because Absalom is such a threat to David into the kingdom off David. Joab also that's really hates absolute because first of all, the Prince had set fire to jobs crops in the field. As well Absalon has been acting very very badly in strutting off his importance as the king son and had been for some years intriguing to start a rebellion.

Davidson mourning over Absalom is not taken well by the troops for these men have put their lives on the line for the king and the King does not know seem to appreciate them.

David's weakness is his sons. He seems to be unable to discipline them and is a very indulgent with them.

 

[Zibuyile]

1.why does David  command  mercy for Absolom? He loved his son too much

2.Why does Joab kill him against Davis's  orders?

He knew as long as Absolom  lives David will never find peace

3.How does David loud mourning threaten his kingdom?  People will see what they have done was in vain as he is not showing appreciation  , but mourning for the son who threatened  to kill him

4What does this say about his loyalty followers?

The people who loved showed loyalty and faught to win against Absolom were going to loose their loyalty  towards him.

5.What does this say about David's faith/ weakness

David still ha faith as he still has weakness , by ordering his men not to kill his son

 

[crissy464]

David showed mercy for Absalom because he was his son and he loved him

Joab killed Abslom because he was out of control and if he didn’t kill him David wouldn’t do it.

 David will not punish Absalom for his evil ways 

Joab was a dedicated and loyal commander and wise adviser to the king. So are the followers.

David had a weakness about disciplining  his family and friends  

 

[Irmela]

Q3. (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8)

Why does David command mercy for Absalom in the battle?

Why does Joab kill him against David's orders?

How does David's loud mourning threaten his kingdom?

What does this say about his followers' loyalty?

What does it say about David's faith? About his weaknesses?

David still hoped that Absalom would change for the better.  Absalom was after all was said and done, still his son.  I believe that any battle is hard for the toughest of soldiers.  It cannot be easy to take the life of someone else. Say what you like.  That is a horrible decision to take.  

David commanded mercy for Absalom because he still loved him, against all odds.  

Joab, I personally believe, was loyal to David, and did what he did, to the best interest of the kingdom as well as for David and his family.  Absalom was not to be trusted and was lethal to be left alive.  No one was really safe with him around.  He could turn on anyone.  I personally believe he kind of lost his sanity, judging by his deeds.  

David's loud mourning, even though it was a natural way of mourning for his son, was a threat to his kingdom because it could wrongly be interpreted that David would have rejoiced in seeing his loyal subjects dead rather than having his enemy (unfortunately in this instance, his son) overcome.  This was not really the case, it was just reality that he did have a father's heart and genuinely mourned his son's death and also that it had gotten as far as the revolt and usurping the throne etc.

I do believe they understood. Many of them too were fathers.  I am sure many also had rebellious offspring and knew a father's torn loyalty.  

Deep in his heart I am sure that David knew that this battle would end in Absalom's death.  Just as the time when the Philistines went into battle with Saul, when David was going to fight for the Philistines, he was turned away, so that he did not need to anymore,  so also this time, he was again requested not to go into battle.  Not that they did not trust him, but they knew that he was a sure target.  He knew the battle needed to take place, for, the nations sake.  It was not an easy decision to take.  By faith he knew that God was in control and so he let his forces go.  That was the king part of David.  His plea not to harm Absalom, that was the father part of David.