Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) >
2 Samuel >
Exposition >
VI. DAVID'S TROUBLES chs. 9--20 >
C. David's Rejection and Return chs. 13-20 >
2. Absalom's attempt to usurp David's throne chs. 15-20 >
The end of Absalom 18:1-18 >
The battle between David and Absalom's armies 18:6-8
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The location of the forest of Ephraim is unknown, but it was probably in Gilead (cf. Judg. 12:1-5).256As early as the judges period so many Ephraimites had settled in Gilead that the western Ephraimites called the Gileadites "fugitives of Ephraim"(Judg. 12:4).257How the forest devoured more of Absalom's men than David's soldiers did (v. 8) is not clear, but that it did suggests that Yahweh assisted David's men by using the forest somehow to give him the victory.