“The people of Israel were defeated there by David’s servants; there was a terrible slaughter that day of 20,000 men. For the battle there was spread all over the countryside; the forest devoured more people that day than did the sword.“-2 Samuel 18:7-8
The battle for the throne of Israel took place in an area called the “forest of Ephraim.”
Now, there’s a huge debate about where exactly this place was located.
Some say it was located near Machanayim, on the east side of the Jordan River.
Others say it had to have been in Ephraim’s territory, on the west side.
No matter where it was, the forest proved to be deadlier to Absalom’s men than David’s soldiers themselves.
We’re told that more men died from getting entangled in trees and tripping over rough terrain than from arrows or swords.
This is a perfect example of what happens when you combine panic with sheer incompetence.
Here we have a glimpse of the final battle at Armageddon between those who sided with God’s anointed king versus those who oppose him.
Over 20,000 men of Israel (Absalom’s army) perished that day.
But not just by the sword, but because the forest itself became an agent of judgment.
This shows that God using armies or weapons to defeat His enemies is optional as far as He’s concerned.
He can use nature, chaos, or even the terrain itself to carry out His will.
We also see that panic, poor judgment, and fear can be just as deadly as any arrow or sword when His purposes are at work.
So let this be both a warning and a lesson about the power of God’s hand to act in ways we might never expect.
Done.
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