Absalom
אַבְשָׁלוֹם · a.vi.sha.lom · H0053אֲבִישָׁלוֹם · a.vi.sha.lom · H0053“father of peace” Hitchcock's 186992 mentions in 5 books, most in 2 Samuel (83)
Who he was
Absalom was the third son of King David, born to Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2Sa. 3:3). He was known for his handsome appearance and long hair (2Sa. 14:25-26). After the rape of his sister Tamar by Amnon, David's firstborn son, Absalom plotted revenge and had Amnon murdered (2Sa. 13). He then fled to Geshur for three years before Joab, David's general, arranged for his return (2Sa. 14).
Later, Absalom launched a rebellion against David, proclaiming himself king in Hebron (2Sa. 15). David was forced to flee from Jerusalem, and Absalom took advice to pursue him with his forces (2Sa. 16-17). However, David's men defeated Absalom's army, and Absalom himself was killed by Joab against David's wishes (2Sa. 18). David deeply mourned Absalom's death (2Sa. 19:1-4).
Absalom had erected a pillar to preserve his name, since he had no son to carry on his lineage (2Sa. 18:18). He was survived by his daughter Maacah, who later became a wife of Rehoboam and mother of Abijah (1Ki. 15:2; 2Ch. 11:20-21).
Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0
Family
FatherDavidMotherMaacahSiblingsAmnon, Chileab, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet, Tamar, Elpelet, Nogah, JerimothChildrenTamar
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0
Every mention
92 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
2 Samuel83 mentions
2 Samuel 3:3and 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 13:1After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.2 Samuel 13:4He said to him, “Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”2 Samuel 13:20Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate…2 Samuel 13:22Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.2 Samuel 13:23After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.2 Samuel 13:24Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”2 Samuel 13:25The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.2 Samuel 13:26Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”2 Samuel 13:27But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.2 Samuel 13:28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be…2 Samuel 13:29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled.2 Samuel 13:30While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!”2 Samuel 13:32Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment…2 Samuel 13:34But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him.2 Samuel 13:37But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.2 Samuel 13:38So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.2 Samuel 13:39King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.2 Samuel 14:1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.2 Samuel 14:21The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.”2 Samuel 14:23So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.2 Samuel 14:24The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.2 Samuel 14:25Now in all Israel there was no one 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 defect in him.2 Samuel 14:27Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.2 Samuel 14:28Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.2 Samuel 14:29Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time, but he would not come.2 Samuel 14:30Therefore he said to his servants, “Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.2 Samuel 14:31Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”2 Samuel 14:32Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now…2 Samuel 14:33So 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.2 Samuel 15:1After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him.2 Samuel 15:2Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. When any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, “What city are you…2 Samuel 15:3Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”2 Samuel 15:4Absalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!”2 Samuel 15:6Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.2 Samuel 15:7At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in Hebron.2 Samuel 15:10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’”2 Samuel 15:11Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything.2 Samuel 15:12Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong, for the people increased…2 Samuel 15:13A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”2 Samuel 15:14David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise! Let’s flee, or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down…2 Samuel 15:31Someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”2 Samuel 15:34but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant; then you will defeat for…2 Samuel 15:37So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.2 Samuel 16:8Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you have reigned! Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son! Behold, you are caught by…2 Samuel 16:15Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.2 Samuel 16:16When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”2 Samuel 16:17Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”2 Samuel 16:18Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever Yahweh and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his, and I will stay with him.2 Samuel 16:20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”2 Samuel 16:21Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who…2 Samuel 16:22So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.2 Samuel 16:23The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the counsel of Ahithophel was like this both with David and with Absalom.2 Samuel 17:1Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.2 Samuel 17:4The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.2 Samuel 17:5Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”2 Samuel 17:6When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up.”2 Samuel 17:7Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”2 Samuel 17:9Behold, he is now hidden in some pit, or in some other place. It will happen, when some of them have fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the…2 Samuel 17:14Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to…
1 Kings5 mentions
1 Kings 1:6His father had not displeased him at any time in saying, “Why have you done so?” and he was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.1 Kings 2:7But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.1 Kings 2:28This news came to Joab; for Joab had followed Adonijah, although he didn’t follow Absalom. Joab fled to Yahweh’s Tent, and held onto the horns of the altar.1 Kings 15:2He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.1 Kings 15:10He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.
1 Chronicles1 mention
2 Chronicles2 mentions
2 Chronicles 11:20After her, he took Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.2 Chronicles 11:21Rehoboam loved Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and…
What the dictionary says
Father of peace; i.e., “peaceful” David’s son by Maacah (2 Sam. 3:3; comp. 1 Kings 1:6).
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Read the article →Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR · Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References · CC BY 4.0 · github.com/STEPBible/STEPBible-Data
- Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (1869) · Public domain