Absalom's rebellion
Absalom won the hearts of Israel and seized the throne; David fled Jerusalem, and Absalom was killed in battle, leaving David heartbroken.
The king was much moved, and went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he went, he said, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”
2 Samuel 18:33 (World English Bible)
For years Absalom stood at the city gate winning people over. Then he had himself proclaimed king at Hebron, and David fled across the Jordan barefoot and weeping. Psalm 3 is titled as David's prayer from this flight.
In the battle in the forest of Ephraim, Absalom's long hair caught in an oak tree, and Joab killed him against David's orders. The victory felt like defeat to David.
Places
JerusalemJordanGileadHebronGilgalMount of OlivesMahanaimKidronJordan ValleyBahurimEn-rogelGilohRogelimEphraim
Dating notes
Ussher, 1023 BC, 40 years after David's anointing (2 Samuel 15:7).