The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest claimed more lives that day than the sword. 2 Samuel 18:8
There was a great rebellion in Israel. Absalom made it clear that he planned to take the throne. Many followed him. David fled. Yet in the end, God's will was accomplished. Absalom died, and David mourned.
The battle for Israel was fierce. David's men defeated the army they had previously served. Twenty thousand men died.
Interestingly, more of these men died at God's hand than at the hand of David's men. The forest claimed more lives than the sword. Absalom himself might have died alone, hanging in a tree, had Joab not intervened.
God doesn't take lightly those who rebel against His anointed leaders. Absalom's rebellion did not go unnoticed.
Lord, help me to always be on Your side. Help me to never be swayed from following those You have chosen. I long to be in Your will - no matter where that takes me. Keep me from the darkness of the forest.