DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2017 October 24
The Knight's Dream (1654)
Antonio de Pereda (c. 1611 - 1678)
Baroque Style
Real Academia de San Fernando, Madrid, Spain
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
SPECIAL NOTE:
[ I will again be working through the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. I will be adding links, resources, images, and the like, upgrading the former work-through which began with the 2013-10-12 posting which can be found, along with the full Genesis to Revelation postings, in the Archive Page. Postings will be at midnight Eastern Time, as I am able. However, no chapters will be skipped, even though a posting may be late. And all postings will be housed in the Archive Page. ]
Explanation: 2 Samuel 18 records the death of Absalom. David numbered his troops and appointed captains of thousands and of hundreds over them. He then divided them into thirds, commanded by Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. But when David proposed to go forth with the troops they forbade him because Absalom's army would be after him, not them. So David agreed to be in charge of provisioning them out of the city (1-5).
The battle took place in the woods of Ephraim, where more were destroyed by the treacherous places in the forest than by the sword (6-8).
Absalom became entangled by the hair of his head while passing beneath a great oak. Someone reported it to Joab; and Joab was angry at the man for not killing Absalom, saying that he would have given him a reward if he had done so. But the man reminded him of David's charge to the troops that no one should harm Absalom. Joab then went to Absalom and thrust him through his heart with three javelins. Joab's ten armor bearers also struck Absalom (9-15).
Joab then blew a trumpet and called Israel back from the pursuit. And they took Absalom and threw him into a large pit in the forest and covered him with stones; and Absalom's warriors disbanded. Previously, Absalom had raised up a monument to himself since he did not have a male heir (16-18).
Ahimaaz asked Joab to send him with tidings of the war; but Joab sent Cushi instead. Nevertheless, Ahimaaz persisted in requesting to be sent, though he had no official message to deliver. So Joab sent him, and he outran Cushi (19-23).
David was sitting between the two gates of the city waiting for news; and the watchman told David that a lone runner was coming. From the way he ran, the watchman determined that it was Ahimaaz; and David said that he was a good man and would bring good tidings (24-27).
But he only reported that all was well and that he had seen a great tumult but did not know what it was. He knew that Absalom was dead, but he spared David the news. And David had him stand aside to wait for the other runner (28-30).
When Cushi arrived he told David that the LORD had avenged him of his enemies. And when David asked whether Absalom was safe, Cushi said, "The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is." This news crushed David's spirit; and he "went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (31-33).
[ Sermons: Stuart Olyott. Derek Thomas. Various. ]
[ Illustration: As in today's painting, so in life, Absalom found his dreams of power to be vain -- and, in Absalom's case, fatal. ]
RESOURCES
PLEASE NOTE: Use the resources on this and other sites thoughtfully, particularly the commentaries and encyclopedias. I have attempted to list conservative, scholarly resources. However, some providers use liberal or liberal-influenced commentaries such as the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (in Bible Hub). Such commentaries are undoubtedly included by the provider for the wealth of useful information and comments which they provide. By consulting several commentaries, it should be fairly easy to sort out the wheat from the chaff. If, however, you would like personal assistance, write to me at AD LIB ARTS EMAIL.
[ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 2 Samuel 18:
[Chapter 18 Thematically Similar Psalms: Psalm 10; Psalm 9; Psalm 27.]
[2] Judges 15:19; Judges 7:16; 1 Samuel 11:11; 1 Samuel 13:17; 2 Kings 11:5-6.
[6] 2 Samuel 19:3.
[16] 2 Samuel 2:28; 2 Samuel 20:22.
[17] Deuteronomy 16:7; Joshua 22:4-8; 1 Samuel 13:2; 2 Samuel 19:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 2 Samuel 20:22.
[18] Genesis 14:17.
[23] Nehemiah 12:28.
-- From Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers ]
[ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]
[ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]
[ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
[ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]
HARMONY OF THE LAW
HEBREW AND GREEK INTERLINEAR BIBLES
2 Samuel Detailed Outline
2 Samuel 18
Note: In the Hebrew Bible 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel are one book. Also, 1 Kings and 2 Kings are one book.
Samuel and Kings reveal Israel's history from Samuel to the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
1 and 2 Chronicles, originally one book, trace the history of God's people from creation to the end of the Babylonian Captivity.
David's Reign as God's Chosen Dynastic King (2 Samuel 1:1 - 24:25) - 1010 - 971 B.C. Israel
A. Phase 1: As King Over Judah (2 Samuel 1:1 - 4:12) - 1010 - 1003? B.C. Judah
B. Phase 2: As King Over Israel (2 Samuel 5:1 - 24:25) - 1003? - 971 B.C. Israel (United Kingdom)
1. Initial Consolidation of His Rule (2 Samuel 5:1 - 7:29)
2. Full Consolidation of His Rule (2 Samuel 8:1 - 24:25)
1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth [going I shall go] with you myself also.
3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away [fleeing we are fleeing], for us they will not care [not they will put upon us their heart]; neither if half of us die, will they care for us [they will put upon us their heart]: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.
4 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning [upon the matter of] Absalom.
6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12 And the man said unto Joab, 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: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man [Keep you, whosoever, from the young man] Absalom.
13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.
14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance [to mark my name]: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.
19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings [not a man of tidings you are] this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings [not you shall bear tidings], because the king's son is dead.
21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace [coming he came], and drew near.
26 And the watchman saw another [a following] man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
33 And the king was much moved [quivered], and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee [anything I shall give to die, I, instead of you], O Absalom, my son, my son!
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