Father Mike Schmitz hosts this Bible in a Year podcast episode, day 136, reading from 2 Samuel 18, 1 Chronicles 23, and Psalm 37 using the Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition.

The episode follows The Great Adventure Bible Timeline framework to trace salvation history from Genesis to Revelation, helping listeners understand how Scripture unfolds chronologically.

The readings cover Absalom's death in battle, David's reorganization of temple worship through the Levites, and wisdom about trusting God rather than fretting over the wicked.

Absalom's Defeat and Death in the Forest Battle

David organizes his army into three divisions under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, but his men insist he stay in the city: 'You are worth ten thousand of us' - David's soldiers

David explicitly commands his generals to 'deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom' before the battle begins

The battle results in 20,000 casualties with 'the forest devoured more people that day than the sword' due to the terrain

Absalom gets caught by his hair in an oak tree while riding his mule, hanging 'between heaven and earth'

Joab defies David's orders and kills Absalom with three darts, then has ten armor bearers finish him off

David's Grief: From 'Young Man' to 'My Son'

Two messengers race to bring news to David, with the Cushite delivering the fatal news about Absalom's death

David's language shifts dramatically after Absalom's death: 'O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom, would I had died instead of you'

Father Mike notes David was 'not being a good dad' - failing to act when Amnon violated Tamar, during Absalom's banishment, and avoiding reconciliation

The tragedy reveals David only claims Absalom as his son after death, previously referring to him as 'the young man' throughout the crisis

Father Mike connects this to Eric Whitacre's composition 'When David Heard' and God the Father's sacrifice in John 3:16

Reorganizing Temple Worship for Permanent Structure

David restructures Levite service because the permanent temple will require different work than the portable tabernacle

The age requirement for Levite service drops from 30 to 20 years old due to increased workload in the new temple

38,000 Levites are organized: 24,000 for temple work, 6,000 as officers and judges, 4,000 gatekeepers, 4,000 for praise with instruments

The three Levite families (Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites) transition from portable tabernacle duties to permanent temple service

Psalm 37's Wisdom on Patience and Divine Justice

'Do not fret because of the wicked, be not envious of wrongdoers. For they will soon fade like the grass' - Psalm 37

The psalm teaches trust over anxiety: 'Trust in the Lord and do good. So you will dwell in the land and be nourished in safety'

'The meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity' while the wicked perish like smoke

Father Mike emphasizes being claimed as God's children through baptism, unlike David's failure to claim Absalom until too late