Absalom

Gender: Male

Years: -1053 - -955

Dictionary Text: Father of peace; i.e., “peaceful” David’s son by Maacah; comp.. He was noted for his personal beauty and for the extra-ordinary profusion of the hair of his head,. The first public act of his life was the blood-revenge he executed against Amnon, David’s eldest son, who had basely wronged Absalom’s sister Tamar. This revenge was executed at the time of the festivities connected with a great sheep-shearing at Baal-hazor. David’s other sons fled from the place in horror, and brought the tidings of the death of Amnon to Jerusalem. Alarmed for the consequences of the act, Absalom fled to his grandfather at Geshur, and there abode for three years;. David mourned his absent son, now branded with the guilt of fratricide. As the result of a stratagem carried out by a woman of Tekoah, Joab received David’s sanction to invite Absalom back to Jerusalem. He returned accordingly, but two years elapsed before his father admitted him into his presence. Absalom was now probably the oldest surviving son of David, and as he was of royal descent by his mother as well as by his father, he began to aspire to the throne. His pretensions were favoured by the people. By many arts he gained their affection; and after his return from Geshur; marg., R.V. he went up to Hebron, the old capital of Judah, along with a great body of the people, and there proclaimed himself king. The revolt was so successful that David found it necessary to quit Jerusalem and flee to Mahanaim, beyond Jordan; where upon Absalom returned to Jerusalem and took possession of the throne without opposition. Ahithophel, who had been David’s chief counsellor, deserted him and joined Absalom, whose chief counsellor he now became. Hushai also joined Absalom, but only for the purpose of trying to counteract the counsels of Ahithophel, and so to advantage David’s cause. He was so far successful that by his advice, which was preferred to that of Ahithophel, Absalom delayed to march an army against his father, who thus gained time to prepare for the defence. Absalom at length marched out against his father, whose army, under the command of Joab, he encountered on the borders of the forest of Ephraim. Twenty thousand of Absalom’s army were slain in that fatal battle, and the rest fled. Absalom fled on a swift mule; but his long flowing hair, or more probably his head, was caught in the bough of an oak, and there he was left suspended till Joab came up and pierced him through with three darts. His body was then taken down and cast into a pit dug in the forest, and a heap of stones was raised over his grave. When the tidings of the result of that battle were brought to David, as he sat impatiently at the gate of Mahanaim, and he was told that Absalom had been slain, he gave way to the bitter lamentation: “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”. Comp.;. Absalom’s three sons; comp. 18:18 had all died before him, so that he left only a daughter, Tamar, who became the grandmother of Abijah.

Family Members

• Father: David
• Mother: Maacah
• Siblings:
  • Ibhar
  • Elpalet
  • Elishama
  • Japhia
  • Eliphalet
  • Nepheg
  • Elishua
  • Jerimoth
  • Eliada
  • Nogah
  • Tamar
• Children:
  • Tamar

Verses

• 2 Samuel 15:3: And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
• 2 Samuel 16:22: So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
• 2 Samuel 17:20: And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
• 2 Samuel 13:38: So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
• 2 Samuel 14:21: And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
• 2 Samuel 18:12: And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 16:20: Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
• 2 Samuel 14:28: So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.
• 2 Samuel 15:7: And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
• 2 Samuel 13:30: And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.
• 2 Samuel 16:16: And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
• 1 Kings 1:6: And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 17:26: So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
• 2 Samuel 13:28: Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
• 2 Samuel 14:27: And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
• 2 Samuel 15:2: And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
• 2 Samuel 13:24: And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.
• 2 Samuel 17:24: Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
• 2 Samuel 17:25: And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.
• 2 Samuel 15:11: And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
• 2 Samuel 15:1: And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
• 2 Samuel 15:10: But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
• 2 Samuel 17:18: Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.
• 2 Samuel 15:12: And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 18:32: And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
• 2 Samuel 18:14: Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
• 2 Samuel 19:9: And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
• 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 17:4: And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
• 2 Samuel 13:27: But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
• 2 Samuel 14:29: Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
• 1 Kings 2:7: But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.
• 2 Samuel 15:6: And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
• 2 Samuel 13:39: And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
• 2 Samuel 17:5: Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
• 2 Samuel 13:34: But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
• 2 Samuel 17:14: And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
• 1 Kings 2:28: Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
• 2 Samuel 18:33: And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
• 2 Samuel 17:7: And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
• 2 Samuel 16:17: And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
• 2 Samuel 13:25: And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.
• 2 Samuel 18:10: And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
• 2 Samuel 14:30: Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
• 2 Samuel 15:13: And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 14:25: But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
• 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 15:14: And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
• 2 Samuel 13:23: And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
• 2 Samuel 17:15: Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
• 2 Samuel 18:5: And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 19:10: And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
• 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 16:21: And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
• 2 Samuel 16:23: And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 19:1: And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 14:33: So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
• 1 Kings 15:10: And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
• 2 Samuel 16:8: The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
• 2 Samuel 15:37: So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
• 2 Samuel 13:37: But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
• 2 Samuel 14:32: And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
• 1 Chronicles 3:2: The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:
• 2 Samuel 15:31: And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
• 2 Samuel 14:24: And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.
• 2 Samuel 17:6: And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.
• 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 17:1: Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
• 1 Kings 15:2: Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
• 2 Chronicles 11:20: And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
• 2 Samuel 15:4: Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
• 2 Chronicles 11:21: And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
• 2 Samuel 19:4: But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
• 2 Samuel 14:23: So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
• 2 Samuel 18:29: And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
• 2 Samuel 13:26: Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
• 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 18:15: And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
• 2 Samuel 18:17: And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
• 2 Samuel 18:18: Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.
• 2 Samuel 16:15: And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
• 2 Samuel 19:6: In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
• 2 Samuel 13:32: And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
• 2 Samuel 18:9: And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
• 2 Samuel 16:18: And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
• 2 Samuel 20:6: And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
• 2 Samuel 14:31: Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
• 2 Samuel 15:34: But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
• 2 Samuel 17:9: Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
• 2 Samuel 13:29: And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
• 2 Samuel 14:1: Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.