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Chapter 18 describes the battle between the forces of David and Absalom. In preparation for the forces of Absalom, David divided his army into 3 parts. One was led by Joab, one by Abishai, Joab's brother and one by Ittai, the Philistine. David planned to lead the entire force, but the men objected. They told David that the forces of Absalom would be looking for him and it would be better if he stayed at Bahurim and send help, if they needed it. David agreed but told the three commanders to "deal gently with Absalom".
The two armies met in the forest of Ephraim, west of the Jordan River. Absalom's forces were soundly defeated by the forces of David. There was a great slaughter and 20,000 men were killed that day. The battle raged and more of Absalom's men disappeared into the forest than were killed. During the battle, Absalom came upon some of David's men and he escaped on his mule. During his flight, his hair became caught in the branches of a tree leaving him hanging there by his hair. One of Joab's men saw him and ran and told Joab. Joab reprimanded him for not killing Absalom but the man reminded Joab that David had asked them to deal gently with him. Joab went to where Absalom was, and took 3 daggers and plunged them into Absalom and 10 of his armor bearers finished him off. They put Absalom's body into a pit and covered it with stones. Then Joab blew a trumpet and the forces of David stopped chasing the forces of Absalom.
Notice is made here that Absalom had erected to himself a monument (pillar) in the Kings Valley. This valley was at the north end of the Kidron Valley that ran between Jerusalem and the Mt. of Olives. It is spoken of in Gen. 14 as the place that Melchez'dek brought out bread and wine to Abraham after he had gone to rescue Lot and his family from the 4 kings that had conquered Sodom and Gomorrah. It was here that Absalom built a monument to himself because he had no sons to carry on his name.
So now Absalom is dead and someone had to tell David. Ahima-az, Zadok the Priest's son, volunteered to do this but Joab declined his offer on the grounds that it would not be good news for David he was not sure what David might do. So Joab sent a man from Cush, a black man from Ethiopia, to tell David but Ahimaaz was not easily put off and he finally convinced Joab to let him go to tell David about the death of his son.
Ahimaaz left in haste and took a short cut and got to Bahurim before the man from Cush did. David was waiting for news at the gate to the city. As Ahimaaz approached, the city watchman spied him and called down to David. The watchman was able to identify the man as Ahimaaz, the Priest's son. David was pleased because he believed that Ahimaaz would bring him good news, and he did. "All is well, the Lord has destroyed the rebels who dared to stand against you." "But", David asked, "What about Absalom?" Ahimaaz lied and said that he did not know.
By that time the man from Cush arrived at the cities gate and David asked of him how Absalom was and he said, "May all your enemies be as that young man is," and David broke down in tears crying out, "Absalom, Absalom, if only I could have died for you."
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