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The Battle of the Wood of Ephraim occurred in 1023 BC when the army of King David of Israel confronted and defeated the rebel army led by his son Absalom in Gilead.

In 1032 BC, David's son Amnon violated his virgin half-sister Tamar, the full sister of Absalom, at the advice of his cousin Jonadab, son of Shimea. Absalom avenged this incident by slaying Amnon at a feast in 1030 BC, after which Absalom fled to Geshur and lived in exile fro three years. David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning his son Amnon's death, and Absalom was persuaded to return to Jerusalem in 1027 BC. However, Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing his father's face, and David's general Joab failed to persuade Absalom to come to him. An annoyed Absalom sent his servants to set Joab's barley field on fire, infuriating Joab. However, Absalom ultimately came to his father and prostrated himself, and David kissed his son in reconciliation.

In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with 50 men to run ahead of him. Absalom came to see himself as a better potential ruler than his father, believing that, if he was king, everyone who had a complaint or case could come to him and see that they receive justice, rather than let the people have their claims unheard because of the absence of a representative of the king. Absalom treated the common people with dignity, kissing those who came to him for help, and winning over the Israelite people. After four years, Absalom persuaded David to let him return to Hebron, claiming that he had vowed to worship God in Hebron should God take him back to Jerusalem. From Hebron, Absalom had messengers travel throughout the Twelve Tribes of Israel to declare him king and raise an army. David was told of this plot by a messenger, and he had his officials flee, lest none of them escape from Absalom. The king left ten concubines to take care of the palace, and he and most of the people of Jerusalem left the city. Ittai and 600 Gittites decided to remain with David rather than continue serving Absalom, and King David's army sorrowfully marched through the Kidron Valley and towards the wilderness. He had Zadok take the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem, and he also dispatched Zadok's son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan return to Jerusalem as spies.

On Absalom's entry into Jerusalem, David's confidant Hushai the Arkite feigned allegiance to Absalom, saying that he should serve the son as he would the father. Absalom's advisor Ahithophel advised him to sleep with his father's ten concubines to show Israel that he had broken with his father, thus further motivating his own cause. Absalom slept with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel, and Ahithophel then advised Absalom to choose 12,000 men and attack David while he was weary and weak. Absalom also had Hushai summoned, and Hushai counseled caution, as a defeat for Absalom's cause would demoralize his whole army. He instead advised Absalom to wait until all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, was gathered to him, after which he could attack David. Absalom and his lieutenants chose to listen to Hushai over Ahithophel, and Hushai secretly sent the priests Zadok and Abiathar to warn David to cross the fords in the wilderness. Meanwhile, Ahithophel committed suicide after his advice was ignored in favor of Hushai.

David went to Mahanaim as Absalom crossed the Jordan with his large army, and Absalom appointed Amasa as his commander. The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead, while David came to Mahanaim and was greeted with supplies by the locals, who knew that his soldiers had become hungry and thirsty in the wilderness. David mustered his thousands of troops and divided them into thirds, commanded by Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. At the Wood of Ephraim, the Israelites were routed by David's men, and 20,000 men were lost. The forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword, and Absalom's hair was caught in a tree as he attempted to flee on his mule. Joab, ignoring King David's orders not to harm his son, threw three javelins into Absalom's heart. and his armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him. With Absalom's death, the rebellion was crushed, but David lamented, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Joab proceeded to remind David of his obligations as king, telling hm, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.” David proceeded to show himself to his men and restore their morale, and he returned to Jerusalem to serve as king. Joab crushed the remnants of Absalom's cause by slaying Amasa, while Sheba, son of Gera attempted to rally the Israelites at Abel Beth Maakah, only to be betrayed by his followers and slain as Joab's forces prepared to besiege the city.

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