David set his troops in three divisions and appointed three generals—Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He wanted to go with them to the battle, but they pleaded with him to stay behind. Out of compassion rather than justice, David ordered the generals to deal gently with Absalom. David didn’t seem to recognize that mercy in the absence of justice was a license to sin and chaos. Nevertheless, David’s love and mercy toward his wayward son reminds us of God’s love for rebellious sinners like us.

The battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim, and Absalom’s men were defeated. Even the forest (maybe cliffs, swamps, thorn bushes, etc.) devoured them. God was with David’s army, and the rebellion was met with a swift end. During the battle, one of David’s soldiers saw Absalom hanging, suspended in a tree by his hair. He reported it to Joab, who disregarded David’s words and killed Absalom. Joab might have thought that justice must be served by killing the rebel mercilessly. But Joab’s act revealed his self-righteousness and pride toward Absalom and his internal rebellion towards David. Those who disregard God’s word by acting according to their own ideas and desires commit an act of rebellion toward God.
Application: Lord, thank you for your love and mercy towards rebellious sinners like me. Help me observe your word and not insist on my own ideas.
One Word: God’s love transcends our sins