II SAMUEL 18-19:7

Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.” (17:27-29)

David and his group survives David and his army slaughters . . . thanks to friends. 17:24-29 David and his army slaughters . . . thanks to a forest. 18:1-18

David is no stranger to seemingly impossible odds.

David and his group survives David and his army slaughters . . . thanks to friends. 17:24-29 David and his army slaughters . . . thanks to a forest. 18:1-18

Joab,Abishai, and Ittai lead the three groups out against Absolom’s forces (18:2)

Stuck-up, in two ways

David Absalom

Your Local Newspaper since 1040 BC The Jerusalem Times Nisan 8, 996 BC Your Local Newspaper since 1040 BC Y 2 shekels The war is over . . . King David is back! Absalom's reign as king ended as abruptly as it began, as recently deposed King David was able to ingeniously out- maneuver Absalom's much larger army in fierce fighting throughout the Forest of Ephraim. Soldiers in Absalom's army admit they were completely taken by surprise when they were attacked en route to Mahanaim. Expectations of a siege upon Mahanaim Absalom's end was an ugly one. His remains lie deep beneath a rock-covered pit in the Forest of Ephraim. never materialized, as David's smaller army of strategically placed men showered arrows and spears from behind trees and rocks--seemingly from out of nowhere. "It was as if the forest was fighting us," Sources confirm King David was overcome with grief upon news of Absalom's death. Those closest to the King say they aren't surprised in view of the recent family declared one very dazed and bewildered officer. Newly- appointed commander, Amasa, stated "We flat ran into a buzzsaw out there today. Absalsom is dead, and David deserves to be reinstated as the king over all Israel." Joab, Abishai and Ittai led the devastating assault on Absalom's

How blessed are the feet of those who bring good news.

Moreover, the archers shot at your servants from the wall; so some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead. Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab, ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another . . .’” II Sam. 11:24,25

Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Prov. 27:5,6 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has under- standing than a hundred blows into a fool. Prov. 17:10

“The only thing worse than a hard heart is a soft mind.” --Teddy Roosevelt