WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.140 Ethan: Welcome to Immerse: the daily bible reading experience. 00:00:03.257 --> 00:00:04.327 Day 200 and 5 00:00:04.975 --> 00:00:09.930 as King David came to Bahurim, A man came out of the village cursing them. 00:00:10.840 --> 00:00:15.060 It was Shimei, son of Ghira, from the same clan as Saul's family. 00:00:15.780 --> 00:00:19.330 He threw stones at the king and the king's officers, and all the 00:00:19.330 --> 00:00:21.220 mighty warriors who surrounded him. 00:00:22.110 --> 00:00:27.040 Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel, he shouted at David. 00:00:27.770 --> 00:00:31.430 The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul's clan. 00:00:31.970 --> 00:00:33.490 You stole his throne. 00:00:33.930 --> 00:00:36.760 And now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. 00:00:37.570 --> 00:00:41.840 At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer. 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:46.810 Why should this dead dog curse my Lord the King? 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:49.570 Abishai, son of Zeruiah, demanded. 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:52.330 Let me go over and cut off his head. 00:00:53.290 --> 00:00:54.820 No, the king said. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:58.380 Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah? 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:02.350 If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him? 00:01:03.510 --> 00:01:10.155 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, My own son is trying to kill me. 00:01:10.825 --> 00:01:14.425 Doesn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? 00:01:15.115 --> 00:01:17.055 Leave him alone and let him curse. 00:01:17.405 --> 00:01:19.155 For the Lord has told him to do it. 00:01:19.765 --> 00:01:23.665 And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless 00:01:23.665 --> 00:01:25.465 me because of these curses today. 00:01:26.050 --> 00:01:31.310 So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with 00:01:31.310 --> 00:01:36.370 them on a nearby hillside, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at David. 00:01:37.520 --> 00:01:42.100 The king and all who were with him grew weary along the way, so they rested 00:01:42.100 --> 00:01:43.600 when they reached the Jordan River. 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:49.970 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the army of Israel arrived at Jerusalem. 00:01:50.355 --> 00:01:51.875 Accompanied by Ahithophel. 00:01:52.715 --> 00:01:55.955 When David's friend, Hushai the Archite, arrived, he went 00:01:55.955 --> 00:01:57.575 immediately to see Absalom. 00:01:58.685 --> 00:02:00.295 Long live the king! 00:02:00.305 --> 00:02:01.195 he exclaimed. 00:02:01.555 --> 00:02:03.095 Long live the king! 00:02:04.375 --> 00:02:06.955 Is this the way you treat your friend David? 00:02:07.375 --> 00:02:08.425 Absalom asked him. 00:02:09.105 --> 00:02:10.225 Why aren't you with him? 00:02:11.375 --> 00:02:15.135 I'm here because I belong to the man who is chosen by the Lord 00:02:15.155 --> 00:02:16.815 and by all the men of Israel. 00:02:17.185 --> 00:02:18.245 Hushai replied. 00:02:18.765 --> 00:02:21.345 And anyway, why shouldn't I serve you? 00:02:21.935 --> 00:02:23.865 Just as I was your father's advisor. 00:02:24.180 --> 00:02:25.810 Now I will be your advisor. 00:02:26.830 --> 00:02:31.920 Then Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him, What should I do next? 00:02:32.930 --> 00:02:38.830 Ahithophel told him, Go and sleep with your father's concubines, for he has 00:02:38.830 --> 00:02:41.020 left them here to look after the palace. 00:02:41.745 --> 00:02:45.395 Then all Israel will know that you have insulted your father beyond 00:02:45.405 --> 00:02:49.285 hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you. 00:02:50.455 --> 00:02:53.875 So they set up a tent on the palace roof where everyone could see 00:02:53.875 --> 00:02:58.185 it, and Absalom went in and had sex with his father's concubines. 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:03.160 Absalom followed Ahithophel's advice, just as David had done, 00:03:04.040 --> 00:03:07.420 for every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had 00:03:07.420 --> 00:03:09.370 come directly from the mouth of God. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:15.970 Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, Let me choose twelve thousand men to 00:03:15.970 --> 00:03:17.870 start out after David tonight. 00:03:18.410 --> 00:03:21.390 I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:23.280 He and his troops will panic. 00:03:23.805 --> 00:03:25.385 And everyone will run away. 00:03:25.975 --> 00:03:29.885 Then I will kill only the king, and I will bring all the people back to 00:03:29.885 --> 00:03:32.195 you as a bride returns to her husband. 00:03:32.785 --> 00:03:36.155 After all, it is only one man's life that you seek. 00:03:36.745 --> 00:03:39.005 Then you will be at peace with all the people. 00:03:39.795 --> 00:03:43.685 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel. 00:03:44.465 --> 00:03:48.565 But then Absalom said, Bring in Hushai the archite. 00:03:49.185 --> 00:03:50.855 Let's see what he thinks about this. 00:03:52.045 --> 00:03:56.005 When Hushai arrived, Absalom told him what Ahithophel had said. 00:03:56.745 --> 00:03:59.275 Then he asked, What is your opinion? 00:03:59.765 --> 00:04:01.785 Should we follow Ahithophel's advice? 00:04:02.225 --> 00:04:04.115 If not, what do you suggest? 00:04:05.095 --> 00:04:11.025 Well, Hushai replied to Absalom, this time Ahithophel has made a mistake. 00:04:11.505 --> 00:04:13.415 You know your father and his men. 00:04:13.625 --> 00:04:14.925 They are mighty warriors. 00:04:15.485 --> 00:04:19.545 Right now they are as enraged as a mother bear who has been robbed of her cubs. 00:04:20.065 --> 00:04:23.415 And remember that your father is an experienced man of war. 00:04:23.915 --> 00:04:26.265 He won't be spending the night among the troops. 00:04:26.505 --> 00:04:29.505 He has probably already hidden in some pit or cave. 00:04:30.365 --> 00:04:34.955 And when he comes out and attacks, and a few of your men fall, there 00:04:34.955 --> 00:04:38.055 will be panic among your troops, and the word will spread that 00:04:38.075 --> 00:04:39.975 Absalom's men are being slaughtered. 00:04:40.775 --> 00:04:44.025 Then even the bravest soldiers, though they have the heart of a 00:04:44.025 --> 00:04:46.475 lion, will be paralyzed with fear. 00:04:47.465 --> 00:04:50.835 For all Israel knows what a mighty warrior your father is, 00:04:51.155 --> 00:04:53.145 and how courageous his men are. 00:04:54.125 --> 00:04:58.385 I recommend that you mobilize the entire army of Israel, bringing 00:04:58.385 --> 00:05:02.285 them from as far away as Dan in the north, and Beersheba in the south. 00:05:03.035 --> 00:05:06.765 That way you will have an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. 00:05:07.475 --> 00:05:10.035 And I advise that you personally lead the troops. 00:05:10.685 --> 00:05:15.015 When we find David, we'll fall on him like dew that falls on the ground. 00:05:15.805 --> 00:05:18.925 Then neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 00:05:19.775 --> 00:05:23.595 And if David were to escape into some town, you will have all 00:05:23.615 --> 00:05:25.365 Israel there at your command. 00:05:26.275 --> 00:05:30.305 Then we can take ropes and drag the walls of the town into the nearest valley. 00:05:30.650 --> 00:05:36.720 Until every stone is torn down, then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:43.300 Hussey's advice is better than a oph Fells for the Lord had determined to defeat 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:48.030 the council of a Oph, which really was the better plan so that he could bring 00:05:48.035 --> 00:05:55.690 disaster on Absalom Hui told Zadak and Abiathar the priests what Ahi had said 00:05:55.690 --> 00:06:00.520 to Absalom and the elders of Israel and what he himself had advised instead. 00:06:01.410 --> 00:06:02.040 Quick. 00:06:02.280 --> 00:06:06.560 He told them, find David and urge him not to stay at the shallows 00:06:06.570 --> 00:06:07.900 of the Jordan River tonight. 00:06:08.110 --> 00:06:11.130 He must go across at once into the wilderness beyond. 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:14.580 Otherwise he will die and his entire army with him. 00:06:15.690 --> 00:06:19.890 Jonathan and Ahimaaz had been staying at En Rogel so as not to be 00:06:19.890 --> 00:06:21.744 seen entering and leaving the city. 00:06:22.925 --> 00:06:26.175 Arrangements had been made for a servant girl to bring them the message 00:06:26.185 --> 00:06:27.685 they were to take to King David. 00:06:28.625 --> 00:06:32.715 But a boy spotted them at En Rogel, and he told Absalom about it. 00:06:33.255 --> 00:06:36.925 So they quickly escaped to Behurim, where a man hid them down 00:06:36.925 --> 00:06:38.595 inside a well in his courtyard. 00:06:39.335 --> 00:06:42.755 The man's wife put a cloth over the top of the well and scattered 00:06:42.765 --> 00:06:44.615 grain on it to dry in the sun. 00:06:44.855 --> 00:06:46.865 So no one suspected they were there. 00:06:47.795 --> 00:06:53.285 When Absalom's men arrived, they asked her, Have you seen Ahimaaz and Jonathan? 00:06:54.165 --> 00:06:58.585 The woman replied, They were here, but they crossed over the brook. 00:06:59.545 --> 00:07:03.495 Absalom's men looked for them without success and returned to Jerusalem. 00:07:04.615 --> 00:07:08.395 Then the two men crawled out of the well and hurried on to King David. 00:07:09.175 --> 00:07:12.615 Quick, they told him, cross the Jordan tonight. 00:07:13.405 --> 00:07:17.365 And they told him how Ahithophel had advised that he be captured and killed. 00:07:18.165 --> 00:07:22.285 So David and all the people with him went across the Jordan River during the night. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:25.440 And they were all on the other bank before dawn. 00:07:26.630 --> 00:07:31.100 When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:36.810 donkey, went to his home town, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. 00:07:37.730 --> 00:07:40.360 He died there and was buried in the family tomb. 00:07:41.750 --> 00:07:44.080 David soon arrived at Mahanaim. 00:07:45.210 --> 00:07:49.910 By now, Absalom had mobilized the entire army of Israel and was leading 00:07:49.910 --> 00:07:51.960 his troops across the Jordan River. 00:07:53.110 --> 00:07:58.150 Absalom had appointed Amasa as commander of his army, replacing Joab, 00:07:58.450 --> 00:08:00.350 who had been commander under David. 00:08:01.410 --> 00:08:03.140 Amasa was Joab's cousin. 00:08:03.790 --> 00:08:06.430 His father was Jether, an Ishmaelite. 00:08:07.050 --> 00:08:12.380 His mother, Abigail, daughter of Nahash, was the sister of Joab's mother, Zeruiah. 00:08:13.470 --> 00:08:17.420 Absalom and the Israelite army set up camp in the land of Gilead. 00:08:18.230 --> 00:08:23.890 When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobai, son of Nahash. 00:08:24.290 --> 00:08:29.910 Who came from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and by Machir son of Amiel from Lodeber, 00:08:30.380 --> 00:08:33.070 and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogallum. 00:08:33.680 --> 00:08:38.680 They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, 00:08:38.990 --> 00:08:46.150 flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep, goats and cheese 00:08:46.160 --> 00:08:47.940 for David and those who were with him. 00:08:48.570 --> 00:08:49.400 For they said. 00:08:49.835 --> 00:08:54.005 You must all be very hungry and tired and thirsty after your long 00:08:54.015 --> 00:08:55.395 march through the wilderness. 00:08:56.475 --> 00:08:59.815 David now mustered the men who were with him and appointed 00:08:59.815 --> 00:09:01.695 generals and captains to lead them. 00:09:02.455 --> 00:09:07.760 He sent the troops out in three groups, placing one group under Joab, One under 00:09:07.760 --> 00:09:13.720 Joab's brother, Abishai, son of Zeruiah, and one under Ittai, the man from Gath. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:17.840 The king told his troops, I am going out with you. 00:09:18.930 --> 00:09:20.690 But his men objected strongly. 00:09:21.430 --> 00:09:23.480 You must not go, they urged. 00:09:23.710 --> 00:09:27.960 If we have to turn and run, and even if half of us die, it will make 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:29.820 no difference to Absalom's troops. 00:09:30.330 --> 00:09:32.120 They will be looking only for you. 00:09:32.670 --> 00:09:36.830 You are worth ten thousand of us, and it is better that you stay here in 00:09:36.830 --> 00:09:38.760 the town and send help if we need it. 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:43.740 If you think that's the best plan, I'll do it, the king answered. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:48.710 So he stood alongside the gate of the town as all the troops marched out in 00:09:48.710 --> 00:09:50.850 groups of hundreds and of thousands. 00:09:51.810 --> 00:09:58.310 And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, for my sake. 00:09:58.755 --> 00:10:00.705 Deal gently with young Absalom. 00:10:01.635 --> 00:10:05.285 And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders. 00:10:06.425 --> 00:10:11.165 So the battle began in the forest of Ephraim, and the Israelite troops 00:10:11.165 --> 00:10:13.085 were beaten back by David's men. 00:10:13.745 --> 00:10:18.565 There was a great slaughter that day, and twenty thousand men laid down their lives. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:23.840 The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of 00:10:23.850 --> 00:10:26.140 the forest than were killed by the sword. 00:10:27.680 --> 00:10:31.800 During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David's men. 00:10:32.250 --> 00:10:37.110 He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great 00:10:37.130 --> 00:10:39.630 tree, his hair got caught in the tree. 00:10:40.275 --> 00:10:43.555 His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air. 00:10:44.255 --> 00:10:48.445 One of David's men saw what had happened and told Joab, I saw 00:10:48.475 --> 00:10:50.795 Absalom dangling from a great tree. 00:10:51.575 --> 00:10:52.145 What? 00:10:52.405 --> 00:10:53.445 Joab demanded. 00:10:53.885 --> 00:10:56.155 You saw him there and didn't kill him? 00:10:56.675 --> 00:11:00.485 I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero's belt. 00:11:01.635 --> 00:11:04.955 I would not kill the king's son for even a thousand pieces of 00:11:04.955 --> 00:11:07.105 silver, the man replied to Joab. 00:11:07.805 --> 00:11:11.595 We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai. 00:11:11.975 --> 00:11:14.845 For my sake, please spare young Absalom. 00:11:15.605 --> 00:11:19.365 And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son, and the king would 00:11:19.365 --> 00:11:20.915 certainly find out who did it. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:23.780 You, yourself, would be the first to abandon me. 00:11:25.110 --> 00:11:27.980 Enough of this nonsense, Joab said. 00:11:28.790 --> 00:11:32.640 Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom's heart as he 00:11:32.640 --> 00:11:35.770 dangled, still alive, in the great tree. 00:11:36.630 --> 00:11:41.240 Ten of Joab's young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him. 00:11:42.290 --> 00:11:47.720 Then Joab blew the ram's horn, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel. 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:52.850 They threw Absalom's body into a deep pit in the forest and piled 00:11:52.850 --> 00:11:54.610 a great heap of stones over it. 00:11:55.335 --> 00:11:57.605 And all Israel fled to their homes. 00:11:58.665 --> 00:12:03.715 During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the king's valley. 00:12:04.085 --> 00:12:07.435 For he said, I have no son to carry on my name. 00:12:08.325 --> 00:12:11.975 He named the monument after himself, and it is known as 00:12:11.995 --> 00:12:14.145 Absalom's Monument to this day. 00:12:16.155 --> 00:12:18.995 This concludes today's Immerse Reading Experience. 00:12:19.145 --> 00:12:20.325 Thank you for joining us.