Editing Absalom (section)

===Battle of Ephraim's Wood===
A fateful [[Battle of the Wood of Ephraim|battle]] was fought in the [[Wood of Ephraim]] (the name suggests a locality west of the Jordan) and Absalom's army was completely routed.<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Samuel|16:18}}</ref> When Absalom fled from David's army, his head was caught in the boughs of an oak tree as the mule he was riding ran beneath it. He was discovered there still alive by one of David's men, who reported this to [[Joab]], the king's commander. Joab, accustomed to avenging himself, took this opportunity to even the score with Absalom.<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Samuel|14:30}}</ref> Absalom had once set Joab's field of barley on fire<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Samuel|17:25}}</ref> and then made Amasa Captain of the Host instead of Joab. Killing Absalom was against David's explicit command, "Beware that none touch the young man Absalom". Joab injured Absalom with three darts through the heart and Absalom was subsequently killed by ten of Joab's armor-bearers.<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Samuel|18:14-15}}</ref>

When David heard that Absalom was killed, although not how he was killed, he greatly sorrowed.

{{blockquote|O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!|source=2 Sam 18:33<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Samuel|18:33}}</ref>}}

David withdrew to the city of [[Mahanaim]]<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Samuel|19:32}}</ref> in mourning, until Joab roused him from "the extravagance of his grief"{{sfn|Kirkpatrick|1905|p=177}} and called on him to fulfill his duty to his people.<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Samuel|19:1–8}}</ref>