Wood of Ephraim

According to 2 Samuel, the Battle of the Wood of Ephraim was a military conflict between the rebel forces of the formerly exiled Israelite Prince Absalom against the royal forces of his father king David during a short lived revolt.

Scholarly opinion is divided as to the historicity of the events in the Books of Samuel. Some scholars believe that the Books of Samuel contain a large amount of historical information, while others view them as fictional.

Absalom third son of King David of Israel had been newly returned from three years in exile in Geshur for the murder of his half-brother, Amnon and received a pardon with some restrictions later he began a campaign to win the lost favour and trust of the people, which was successful, Later, having his request to his father King David to leave Jerusalem under false pre-tense to worship at Hebron granted, he left with an escort of 200 men unaware of his real intention, upon arriving in the city, he sent messengers to all the leaders and tribal princes throughout the empire to back him as king Meanwhile, back in Hebron he continued to sacrifice under the false guise that he was only there to worship God while still gathering officials and important people in the empire growing his numbers and strength, namely Ahithophel of Giloh one of the royal councillors. When News of Absalom's now open revolt in Hebron reached the royal Israelite court in Jerusalem King David order the city and court evacuated fearing that the rebel forces under Absalom would besiege him in the city, and left with his elite Cherethite/Pelethite Royal guard, a mercenary force of 600 Gathites under their commander Ittai the Gittite, and the entire Israelite royal house. and marched to the Kidron valley and stopped at the bank of the Jordan river and then crossed leaving behind several spies and double agents to subvert Absalom and his conspirators and infiltrate their court and leak information on the rebel movements. And made camp there as a king in exile.

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