“Then David dispatched the people, a third of them under the command of Yo’av, a third under Avishai the son of Tz’ruyah, Yo’av’s brother, and a third under Ittai the Gitti; and the king said to the people, ‘I will also go out with you, myself.‘”-2 Samuel 18:2 To prepare for the battle with Absalom, […]

“David took a census of the people who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and of hundreds.”-2 Samuel 18:1 Why did David take a census? It was purely a military thing. It was customary for a king or military leader to take count of his men before a big battle. It […]

Today, we begin 2nd Samuel Chapter Eighteen. For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE. For the King James Version, click HERE. In the opening verses of this chapter, the wisdom of Achitofel’s instructions to Absalom becomes apparent. Recall what those instructions were. He told Absalom to take 12,000 men and immediately pursue David, strike down […]

“After David had arrived in Machanayim, Shovi the son of Nachash, from Rabbah of the people of ‘Amon; Machir the son of ‘Ammi’el from Lo-D’var and Barzillai the Gil‘adi from Roglim brought beds, basins, clay pots, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, roasted millet, honey, curdled milk, sheep and cheese made of cow’s milk […]

“The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.” -2 Samuel 17:26 Verse 26 tells us that Absalom and his men set up camp in the land of Gilead. Now, don’t be fooled by the term “Israelites” in this verse. It doesn’t mean all of Israel. It’s just a general term referring to men […]