CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 18:17 They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/18-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/10_2Sa_18_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 18:17 - Absalom Killed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/18-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/18-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/18-16.htm" title="2 Samuel 18:16">◄</a> 2 Samuel 18:17 <a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm" title="2 Samuel 18:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_samuel/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/18.htm">New International Version</a> They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes. <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> They threw Absalom’s body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And all Israel fled to their homes. <a href="/esv/2_samuel/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> And they took Absalom and threw him into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled every one to his own home. <a href="/bsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home. <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/18.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/18.htm">New King James Version</a> And they took Absalom and cast him into a large pit in the woods, and laid a very large heap of stones over him. Then all Israel fled, everyone to his tent. <a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And they took Absalom and threw him into a deep pit in the forest, and erected over him a very large pile of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his own tent. <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> They took Absalom and cast him into a deep pit in the forest and erected over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his tent. <a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they took Absalom and cast him into a deep pit in the forest and erected over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his tent. <a href="/lsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they took Absalom and cast him into a deep pit in the forest and set over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his tent. <a href="/amp/2_samuel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They took [down the body of] Absalom and threw him into a deep pit in the forest and set up a huge mound of stones over him. Then all Israel fled, everyone to his own tent. <a href="/csb/2_samuel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and raised up a huge mound of stones over him. And all Israel fled, each to his tent. <a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. And all Israel fled, each to his tent. <a href="/asv/2_samuel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. <a href="/cev/2_samuel/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They threw Absalom's body into a deep pit in the forest and put a big pile of rocks over it. Meanwhile, the people of Israel had all run back to their own homes. <a href="/erv/2_samuel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. <a href="/gwt/2_samuel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They took Absalom, threw him into a huge pit in the forest, and piled a large heap of stones over him. Meanwhile, all Israel fled and went back to their homes. <a href="/gnt/2_samuel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> They took Absalom's body, threw it into a deep pit in the forest, and covered it with a huge pile of stones. All the Israelites fled to their own hometowns. <a href="/isv/2_samuel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> Meanwhile, Joab's army grabbed Absalom's body, tossed it into a large pit in the forest, and filled it up with a huge pile of rocks. Then the Israelis ran away back to their homes. <a href="/msb/2_samuel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home. <a href="/net/2_samuel/18.htm">NET Bible</a> They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and stacked a huge pile of stones over him. In the meantime all the Israelite soldiers fled to their homes. <a href="/nheb/2_samuel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And they took Absalom and threw him into a large pit in the forest, and heaped up over him a huge pile of stones. Then all Israel fled, each one to his tent. <a href="/wbt/2_samuel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/2_samuel/18.htm">World English Bible</a> They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled, each to his own tent. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they take Absalom and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and set up a very great heap of stones over him, and all Israel has fled—each to his tent. <a href="/ylt/2_samuel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they take Absalom and cast him in the forest unto the great pit, and set up over him a very great heap of stones, and all Israel have fled -- each to his tent. <a href="/slt/2_samuel/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will take Absalom and cast him in the forest into a great pit, and they will set upon him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled each to his tent.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_samuel/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and they laid an exceeding great heap of stories upon him: but all Israel fled to their own dwellings. <a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they took Absalom, and they threw him into a great pit in the forest. And they piled an exceedingly great heap of stones over him. But all of Israel fled to their own tents. <a href="/nabre/2_samuel/18.htm">New American Bible</a> They took Absalom and cast him into a deep pit in the forest, and built up a very large mound of stones over him. And all the Israelites fled to their own tents. <a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They took Absalom, threw him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Meanwhile all the Israelites fled to their homes.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they took Absalom's body and cast it into a great pit, and raised over it a great heap of large stones; and all Israel fled every man to his tent. <a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they took Abishlum and they cast him into a dry well, into a great pit, and they raised over him a great heap of stones, and all Israel fled, each person to his tent<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_samuel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And they took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones; and all Israel fled every one to his tent.-- <a href="/sep/2_samuel/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he took Abessalom, and cast him into a great cavern in the wood, into a deep pit, and set up over him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled every man to his tent. <a href="/parallel/2_samuel/18-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=5274" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Absalom Killed</a> …16Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab had restrained them. 17<a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">They took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/53.htm" title="53: ’aḇ·šā·lō·wm (N-proper-ms) -- Or babshalowm; from 'ab and shalowm; father of peace; Abshalom, a son of David; also a later Israelite.">Absalom,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7993.htm" title="7993: way·yaš·lî·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To throw, fling, cast. A primitive root; to throw out, down or away.">cast</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">into</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: hag·gā·ḏō·wl (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">a large</a> <a href="/hebrew/6354.htm" title="6354: hap·pa·ḥaṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- A pit. Probably from an unused root apparently meaning to dig; a pit, especially for catching animals.">pit</a> <a href="/hebrew/3293.htm" title="3293: ḇay·ya·‘ar (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb.">in the forest,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5324.htm" title="5324: way·yaṣ·ṣi·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To take one's stand, stand. A prim root; to station, in various applications.">and piled</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">a huge</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1530.htm" title="1530: gal- (N-msc) -- A heap, wave, billow. From galal; something rolled, i.e. A heap of stone or dung, by analogy, a spring of water.">mound</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’ă·ḇā·nîm (N-fp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">of stones</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over him.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">Meanwhile, all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: nā·sū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">fled,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">each</a> <a href="/hebrew/168.htm" title="168: lə·ʾå̄·ho·lō (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A tent. From 'ahal; a tent.">to his home.</a> 18During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joshua/7-26.htm">Joshua 7:26</a> And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day. <a href="/joshua/8-29.htm">Joshua 8:29</a> He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening, and at sunset Joshua commanded that they take down the body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And over it they raised a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. <a href="/2_samuel/14-26.htm">2 Samuel 14:26</a> And when he cut the hair of his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy—he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels, according to the royal standard. <a href="/1_samuel/31-12.htm">1 Samuel 31:12-13</a> all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there. / Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. <a href="/2_kings/9-37.htm">2 Kings 9:37</a> And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’” <a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6</a> He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/jeremiah/22-19.htm">Jeremiah 22:19</a> He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem. <a href="/jeremiah/36-30.htm">Jeremiah 36:30</a> Therefore this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on David’s throne, and his body will be thrown out and exposed to heat by day and frost by night. <a href="/ezekiel/39-11.htm">Ezekiel 39:11</a> And on that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Sea. It will block those who travel through, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog. <a href="/acts/5-6.htm">Acts 5:6</a> Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. <a href="/acts/5-9.htm">Acts 5:9-10</a> “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” / At that instant she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. <a href="/matthew/27-5.htm">Matthew 27:5</a> So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. <a href="/matthew/27-7.htm">Matthew 27:7-8</a> After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. / That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. <a href="/john/19-31.htm">John 19:31</a> It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed. <a href="/john/19-40.htm">John 19:40-42</a> So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. / Now there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. / And because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus there.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones on him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.<a href="/joshua/7-26.htm">Joshua 7:26</a> And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.<a href="/joshua/8-29.htm">Joshua 8:29</a> And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.<a href="/joshua/10-27.htm">Joshua 10:27</a> And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/18-15.htm">Absalom</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-15.htm">Ab'salom</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-14.htm">Absalom's</a> <a href="/judges/9-38.htm">Big</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-11.htm">Body</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-13.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-21.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/numbers/9-15.htm">Erected</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-2.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-8.htm">Forest</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-19.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/joshua/22-8.htm">Homes</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-16.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-26.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-19.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/ruth/3-7.htm">Mass</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-15.htm">Meanwhile</a> <a href="/exodus/15-8.htm">Piled</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-9.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-34.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-2.htm">Rocks</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-13.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-22.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-13.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-8.htm">Wood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">Absalom</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">Ab'salom</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">Absalom's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-17.htm">Big</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-10.htm">Body</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-12.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-16.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-21.htm">Erected</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-8.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-2.htm">Forest</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-29.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-8.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-5.htm">Homes</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-8.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-2.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-16.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-12.htm">Mass</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-45.htm">Meanwhile</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-6.htm">Piled</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-20.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">Raised</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">Rocks</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-17.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-8.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-12.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-19.htm">Wood</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 18</div>1. <a href="/2_samuel/18-1.htm">David viewing the armies in their march gives them charge of Absalom</a> 6. <a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">The Israelites are sorely smitten in the wood of ephraim</a> 9. <a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">Absalom, hanging in an oak is slain by Joab, and cast into a pit</a> 18. <a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">Absalom's place</a> 19. <a href="/2_samuel/18-19.htm">Ahimaaz and Cushi bring tidings to David</a> 33. <a href="/2_samuel/18-33.htm">David mourns for Absalom</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>They took Absalom Absalom, the third son of King David, had led a rebellion against his father. His capture and death marked the end of his insurrection. This phrase highlights the consequences of Absalom's actions and the fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy to David that the sword would never depart from his house (<a href="/2_samuel/12-10.htm">2 Samuel 12:10</a>).cast him into a large pit in the forest The forest of Ephraim, where the battle took place, was a dense and treacherous area east of the Jordan River. Casting Absalom into a pit signifies a dishonorable burial, reflecting the disgrace associated with his rebellion. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, burial practices were significant, and a proper burial was a sign of honor and respect.and piled a huge mound of stones over him The piling of stones over Absalom's body was a common practice for marking graves, especially for those who died in disgrace or as criminals. This act symbolized the finality of Absalom's rebellion and served as a warning to others. It also echoes the burial of Achan in <a href="/joshua/7-26.htm">Joshua 7:26</a>, where a heap of stones was used to mark the site of his punishment for sin.Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home The Israelites' flight signifies the collapse of Absalom's rebellion and the restoration of David's rule. This dispersal reflects the fear and uncertainty following the death of their leader. It also fulfills the biblical theme of God restoring order after chaos, as seen in other instances where God intervenes to reestablish His chosen leaders.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/absalom.htm">Absalom</a> The son of King David who rebelled against his father, leading to a civil war in Israel. His death marks the end of his rebellion. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_forest.htm">The Forest</a> The location where Absalom was killed and buried. It symbolizes the wilderness and chaos of Absalom's rebellion. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_large_pit.htm">The Large Pit</a> A burial site for Absalom, signifying disgrace and dishonor, as opposed to a proper burial. 4. <a href="/topical/h/heap_of_stones.htm">Heap of Stones</a> A traditional way to mark a grave, often used for those who died in disgrace or as a memorial of judgment. 5. <a href="/topical/a/all_israel.htm">All Israel</a> Refers to the people of Israel who were involved in the conflict, highlighting the division and eventual return to normalcy after Absalom's death.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rebellion.htm">The Consequences of Rebellion</a> Absalom's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of rebelling against God's anointed leaders and the resulting consequences. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_honor_in_death.htm">The Importance of Honor in Death</a> The manner of Absalom's burial reflects the dishonor of his actions. It reminds us of the importance of living a life worthy of honor, even in death. <a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_prevails.htm">God's Justice Prevails</a> Despite Absalom's temporary success, God's justice ultimately prevails, reminding us to trust in God's timing and righteousness. <a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_leadership_choices.htm">The Impact of Leadership Choices</a> Absalom's rebellion caused division and strife in Israel, highlighting the far-reaching impact of leadership decisions. <a href="/topical/r/returning_to_god_after_failure.htm">Returning to God After Failure</a> The scattering of Israel after Absalom's death signifies a return to order and an opportunity for reconciliation with God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 18</a> <a href="/q/what_is_absalom's_monument.htm">What is Absalom's Monument?</a> <a href="/q/is_absalom's_hair_in_the_tree_plausible.htm">How did Absalom become caught by his head or hair in the oak tree (2 Samuel 18:9), and does this detail conflict with scientific plausibility?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_absalom_reject_ahithophel's_advice.htm">If Hushai's counsel (2 Samuel 17:7-14) was so clearly delayed and risky, why would Absalom reject Ahithophel's seemingly superior military advice without further scrutiny?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_joab_defy_david's_order.htm">Why does Joab's direct killing of Absalom contradict David's explicit command to spare him (2 Samuel 18:5, 14), and does this create a moral inconsistency?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Every one to his tent.--An expression derived from the life in the wilderness, and meaning every one to his home. (Comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/16-7.htm" title="And you shall roast and eat it in the place which the LORD your God shall choose: and you shall turn in the morning, and go to your tents.">Deuteronomy 16:7</a>; <a href="/context/joshua/22-4.htm" title="And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brothers, as he promised them: therefore now return you, and get you to your tents, and to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.">Joshua 22:4-8</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/13-2.htm" title="Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.">1Samuel 13:2</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/19-8.htm" title="Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told to all the people, saying, Behold, the king does sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.">2Samuel 19:8</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm" title="And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.">2Samuel 20:1</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/20-22.htm" title="Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.">2Samuel 20:22</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - A great pit; Hebrew, the great pit; as though there was some great hollow or well known depression in the wood, into which they cast Absalom's dead body, and raised a cairn over it. Such cairns were used as memorials of any event deemed worthy of lasting remembrance, but the similar cairn piled over the dead body of Achan (<a href="/joshua/7-26.htm">Joshua 7:26</a>) makes it probable that the act was also intended as a sign of condemnation of Absalom's conduct. All Israel fled every one to his tent. The Israelites were still a pastoral people, with tents for their abodes, though houses were gradually taking their place. The cry, "To your tents, O Israel!" (<a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">1 Kings 12:16</a>), meant, "Go away to your homes!" and not "Gather for war!" It is remarkable how constantly Absalom's followers are described as "Israel" while the loyal men are "David's servants." Absalom's was evidently the popular cause, and, besides Uriah's murder, there must have been political reasons for discontent at work to make David's government so distasteful. <a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/18-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>They took וַיִּקְח֣וּ (way·yiq·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take Absalom, אַבְשָׁל֗וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_53.htm">Strong's 53: </a> Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites cast וַיַּשְׁלִ֨יכוּ (way·yaš·lî·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7993.htm">Strong's 7993: </a> To throw out, down, away him into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to a large הַגָּד֔וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent pit הַפַּ֣חַת (hap·pa·ḥaṯ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6354.htm">Strong's 6354: </a> A pit, for, catching animals in the forest, בַיַּ֙עַר֙ (ḇay·ya·‘ar) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3293.htm">Strong's 3293: </a> A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb and piled וַיַּצִּ֧בוּ (way·yaṣ·ṣi·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5324.htm">Strong's 5324: </a> To take one's stand, stand a huge גָּד֣וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Great, older, insolent mound גַּל־ (gal-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1530.htm">Strong's 1530: </a> Something rolled, a heap of stone, dung, a spring of water of stones אֲבָנִ֖ים (’ă·ḇā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> A stone over him. עָלָ֛יו (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against Meanwhile, all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the Israelites יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc fled, נָ֖סוּ (nā·sū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> To flit, vanish away each אִ֥ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person to his home. לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ (lə·’ō·hā·lāw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_168.htm">Strong's 168: </a> A tent <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_samuel/18-17.htm">2 Samuel 18:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-17.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 18:17 They took Absalom and cast him into (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/18-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 18:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 18:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 18:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 18:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>