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New Defender's Study Bible Notes
18:1 numbered the people. The number is not recorded, but apparently several thousands had come to assist David.
18:15 and slew him. Joab essentially took the law into his own hands here, in order to forestall any future Absalom intrigues. He knew that Absalom deserved death for his treason and for his attempt to kill David (II Samuel 17:11-14), but he also realized that David would not agree to such a sentence if he could prevent it.
18:19 Ahimaaz. This son of Zadok the priest had been one of the two young men who carried the message of Hushai to David (II Samuel 17:17, 21). He now wanted to carry this message of victory to David, but did not take the time to learn of Absalom’s death.
18:21 Cushi bowed himself. Knowing that Ahimaaz was highly regarded by David, Joab did not want to subject him to David’s violent anger at the news that Absalom was dead, so he sent Cushi (possibly “the Cushite,” a servant from Ethiopia).
18:33 my son, my son. David’s excessive lamenting probably involved a belated realization of the fact that he himself had indirectly (first, by his murder of Uriah, second, by his inaction regarding the rape of Tamar) caused the death of both Amnon and Absalom.