Day 136: Absalom Is Defeated (2026)
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On Day 136 of 'The Bible in a Year' podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the tragic story of Absalom's rebellion and death in 2 Samuel 18, highlighting the emotional devastation of King David upon learning of his son's demise. Despite David's explicit command to spare Absalom, Joab kills him in battle, leading to a heart-wrenching moment when David mourns, crying out, 'O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom, would I had died instead of you.' Fr. Mike draws a powerful spiritual parallel between David’s grief and God the Father’s love for humanity, emphasizing that just as David only fully claimed Absalom after his death, God has claimed each of us as His beloved children from the moment of baptism—long before any tragedy. The episode also examines the reorganization of the Levitical priesthood in 1 Chronicles 23, where David shifts the age of service from 30 to 20, preparing for the permanent temple in Jerusalem. Psalm 37 is prayed as a call to trust in God’s timing, patience, and justice, reinforcing the theme that the righteous will inherit the land and be preserved by God. The reflection culminates in a profound meditation on identity: being claimed by God as a son or daughter is not contingent on our worthiness or suffering, but on His eternal love and grace.
David’s failure as a father—his silence and inaction toward Absalom’s pain—only led him to fully claim his son after his death, a sobering reminder of how we often wait for tragedy to recognize someone’s worth.
God claims us as His beloved children not after we suffer or prove ourselves, but from the moment of baptism, and even before we exist, because He desires us.
The shift in Levitical service from age 30 to 20 reflects the transition from a portable tabernacle to a permanent temple, symbolizing a deeper, more structured worship centered on God’s presence.
Psalm 37 calls us to trust in God’s timing, avoid envy, and rest in His justice—knowing that the wicked will fade, but the righteous will inherit the land.
The story of Absalom and David mirrors the Father’s love for Jesus and for us: a love so deep it led God to give His only Son for our salvation.
Introduction and Reading Overview
Fr. Mike introduces the episode, outlining the day's readings from 2 Samuel 18, 1 Chronicles 23, and Psalm 37. He explains the use of the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, and promotes the Great Adventure Bible and the Bible in a Year podcast.
Absalom’s Defeat and Death in Battle
“O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom, would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son.”
David’s Grief and the Shift in Identity
“It isn't until Absalom is dead that David claims him as his son.”
The Levitical Reorganization in 1 Chronicles 23
Fr. Mike explains how David restructures the Levites for the future temple, lowering the service age from 30 to 20 and assigning specific duties to Gershon, Kohath, and Merari families, reflecting the shift from a portable tabernacle to a permanent place of worship.
Spiritual Reflection: God’s Claiming Love
“He claims you from the moment of your baptism. When you were made into his son or made into his daughter, he claims you from that moment on.”
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that all who believe in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
“O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom, would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son.”
“He claims you from the moment of your baptism. When you were made into his son or made into his daughter, he claims you from that moment on.”
Host
King David
person
Absalom
person
Levites
other
2 Samuel 18
book
Joab
person
Fr. Mike Schmitz
person
Psalm 37
book
1 Chronicles 23
book
Tabernacle
other
Temple
other
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