LATE 17TH EARLY 18TH CENTURY

This scene probably depicts an episode from the Old Testament. Absalom, son of David, attacked the King in an attempt to take over from his father. He had ensured the support from many of the tribes around Jerusalem. When he marched towards Jerusalem, David was alerted and instructed the city to be abandoned for his son. The people wept as they fled with the Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant of God. David, when he started to ascend mount Olivet with his weeping people, instructed Zadok the priest to bring back the Ark to Jerusalem and to let him know when it is safe to return. Hushai the Archite also went to Jerusalem to let his friend David know of Absalom's plans. In Jerusalem Hushai convinced Absalom to wait for David rather than taking him by surprise. David was thus able to gather an army and in the ensuing battle to drive away Absalom, who fled and got his hair caught in the branches of a tree. When hanging in the tree David's soldiers killed him.