Absalom

Who Absalom is

Absalom is David's son by Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, and Tamar's brother. After Amnon rapes Tamar, she lives in Absalom's house. Two years later Absalom orders Amnon killed and flees to Geshur. Joab secures his return, but another two years pass before he sees David. Absalom then cultivates support at the city gate and launches a rebellion from Hebron. David leaves Jerusalem. The rebellion ends in defeat, and Joab and his armor bearers kill Absalom despite David's order to deal gently with him. David responds to the news by mourning his son.

Cited passages: 2 Samuel 3:3, 2 Samuel 13:14, 2 Samuel 13:15, 2 Samuel 13:16, 2 Samuel 13:17, 2 Samuel 13:18, 2 Samuel 13:19, 2 Samuel 13:20, 2 Samuel 13:22, 2 Samuel 13:23, 2 Samuel 13:24, 2 Samuel 13:25, 2 Samuel 13:26, 2 Samuel 13:27, 2 Samuel 13:28, 2 Samuel 13:29, 2 Samuel 13:37, 2 Samuel 13:38, 2 Samuel 14:21, 2 Samuel 14:22, 2 Samuel 14:23, 2 Samuel 14:24, 2 Samuel 14:28, 2 Samuel 14:29, 2 Samuel 14:30, 2 Samuel 14:31, 2 Samuel 14:32, 2 Samuel 14:33, 2 Samuel 15:1, 2 Samuel 15:2, 2 Samuel 15:3, 2 Samuel 15:4, 2 Samuel 15:5, 2 Samuel 15:6, 2 Samuel 15:7, 2 Samuel 15:8, 2 Samuel 15:9, 2 Samuel 15:10, 2 Samuel 15:11, 2 Samuel 15:12, 2 Samuel 15:13, 2 Samuel 15:14, 2 Samuel 18:5, 2 Samuel 18:6, 2 Samuel 18:7, 2 Samuel 18:8, 2 Samuel 18:9, 2 Samuel 18:10, 2 Samuel 18:11, 2 Samuel 18:12, 2 Samuel 18:13, 2 Samuel 18:14, 2 Samuel 18:15, 2 Samuel 18:33

Historical setting

Absalom spends three years in Geshur before returning to Jerusalem. Samuel describes his beauty and heavy hair, but the death scene says his head catches in a tree; it does not explicitly say his hair is caught. One notice names three sons and a daughter called Tamar, while another records his statement that he has no son to preserve his name. The text gives no account explaining the two notices. His daughter Tamar is distinct from his sister.

Cited passages: 2 Samuel 13:37, 2 Samuel 13:38, 2 Samuel 14:25, 2 Samuel 14:26, 2 Samuel 14:27, 2 Samuel 14:28, 2 Samuel 18:9, 2 Samuel 18:18

How the story is told

The movement from family violence to public revolt includes long silences, delayed audiences and calculated appeals for loyalty. Absalom's reception by David does not end the conflict. His public claim to the throne is followed by an undignified death and burial under stones, while the account also remembers the monument he made for his name. David's grief keeps the defeated rebel before the reader as a son, without cancelling the harm of the rebellion.

Cited passages: 2 Samuel 13:22, 2 Samuel 13:23, 2 Samuel 14:28, 2 Samuel 14:29, 2 Samuel 14:30, 2 Samuel 14:31, 2 Samuel 14:32, 2 Samuel 14:33, 2 Samuel 15:2, 2 Samuel 15:3, 2 Samuel 15:4, 2 Samuel 15:5, 2 Samuel 15:6, 2 Samuel 15:7, 2 Samuel 15:8, 2 Samuel 15:9, 2 Samuel 15:10, 2 Samuel 15:11, 2 Samuel 15:12, 2 Samuel 18:9, 2 Samuel 18:10, 2 Samuel 18:11, 2 Samuel 18:12, 2 Samuel 18:13, 2 Samuel 18:14, 2 Samuel 18:15, 2 Samuel 18:16, 2 Samuel 18:17, 2 Samuel 18:18, 2 Samuel 18:33, 2 Samuel 19:1, 2 Samuel 19:2, 2 Samuel 19:3, 2 Samuel 19:4, 2 Samuel 19:5, 2 Samuel 19:6, 2 Samuel 19:7, 2 Samuel 19:8

Story moments

1. Tamar in his household (2 Samuel 13:20). After Amnon's violence, Tamar remains desolate in Absalom's house.
2. Amnon's killing ordered (2 Samuel 13:28). Absalom instructs his servants to kill Amnon when he is affected by wine.
3. David receives him (2 Samuel 14:33). Absalom bows before David, and the king kisses him.
4. Hearts stolen at the gate (2 Samuel 15:6). The narrator describes the effect of Absalom's calculated welcome to those seeking judgment.
5. A command to deal gently (2 Samuel 18:5). David tells his commanders how he wants Absalom treated.
6. Killed despite the command (2 Samuel 18:15). Joab's armor bearers surround Absalom and kill him after Joab strikes him.
7. David mourns his son (2 Samuel 18:33). David weeps and wishes he had died in Absalom's place.

Key passages

2 Samuel 3:3

And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

2 Samuel 13:1

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

2 Samuel 13:4

And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.

2 Samuel 13:20

And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.

2 Samuel 13:22

And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

2 Samuel 13:23

And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

King James Version. 92 indexed passages in total.

For reflection

How do the years of silence, the struggle for public loyalty and David's final mourning complicate the relationship between father and son?

Books Absalom appears in

• 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings
• 1 Chronicles
• 2 Chronicles
• Psalms

Related people

• David
• Jacob
• Joab
• Judah
• Benjamin
• Solomon
• Saul (King)
• Bathsheba