Shmuel II Perek 18

• Dovid prepared for battle against Avshalom.

• Dovid counted his men and split them into 3 groups – 1/3 under Yoav, 1/3 under Avishai and 1/3 under Ittai HaGitti.

• Dovid’s men convinced him not to join them in war, but rather to pray for them. (Ralbag)

• Dovid gave clear orders that Avshalom should not be killed.

• Dovid’s army defeated Avshalom’s army, which suffered 20,000 casualties.

• Avshalom was found dangling in mid- air, his hair caught in the thicket of a tree. Yoav was informed, and he asked why Avshalom had not been killed. The informer said that he would not dare go against the order of King Dovid.

• Yoav proceeded to kill Avshalom.

• (During his lifetime, Avshalom had erected a monument named Yad Avshalom for his anticipated burial.)

• Yoav blew the shofar and the war was over.

• Achimatz wanted to relate the news of the war to King Dovid.

• Yoav tried to persuade Achimatz not to do so.

• Yoav sent a Cushite man instead to deliver the news of the battle to King Dovid.

• Despite Yoav’s action, Achimatz overtook the Cushite messenger and reached King Dovid first.

• Achimatz delivered the news about winning the war, but not about the death of Avshalom.

• The Cushite messenger arrived and told Dovid about the death of his son, Avshalom.