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David divides his army into three / Death of Absalom / Return of David to Jerusalem / Joab is presented with the head of Seba
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David divides his army into three / Death of Absalom / Return of David to Jerusalem / Joab is presented with the head of Seba

Johann Sadeler (I) · 1575 · engraving; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Four scenes on an album leaf depicting the life of David, numbered 37 to 40. Top left, David divides his troops into three to fight against Absalom. One third under the command of Joab, one third under his brother Abishai, and one third under the Gittite Ittai. Also depicted is how Absalom, while riding his mule under a terebinth tree, became entangled in the branches and was stabbed to death by Joab with three spears. Bottom left, David returns to Jerusalem. Bottom right, Joab stands at the city walls of Abel-Beth-Maachah. He is handed the head of the traitor Sheba by a wise woman of the city, after which the siege of the city is lifted. The leaf is part of an album.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineDavid verdeelt zijn leger in drieën / Dood van Absalom / Terugkeer van David naar Jeruzalem / Joab krijgt het hoofd van Seba aangereikt. 1575. Johann Sadeler (I). Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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