Absalom
David's son who avenged his sister and later fled to Geshur.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
Absalom is a son of King David, noted for his beauty and his role in the family tragedy following the rape of his sister Tamar. He is introduced as the third son of David, born to Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3). The passages describe him as having a sister named Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1) and later having three sons and a daughter also named Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27).
- Father
- David (2 Samuel 3:3)
- Mother
- Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3)
- Siblings mentioned
- Amnon (half-brother), Tamar (sister) (2 Samuel 13:1, 2 Samuel 13:4)
- Children
- Three sons and one daughter named Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27)
- Notable physical trait
- Praised for his beauty, no blemish from head to foot (2 Samuel 14:25)
- Place of refuge
- Geshur, with his grandfather Talmai (2 Samuel 13:37)
Lore & Background
King David mourns for Amnon but eventually longs to see Absalom (2 Samuel 13:39). Joab perceives the king's heart is toward Absalom and brings him back from Geshur to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:1, 14:21-23). However, David refuses to see Absalom's face, and Absalom lives in his own house for two full years without seeing the king (2 Samuel 14:24, 14:28). During this time, Absalom tries to summon Joab twice but is ignored, so he sets Joab's barley field on fire to get his attention (2 Samuel 14:29-31).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Absalom as a figure driven by familial loyalty and vengeance, yet also as calculating and patient. His love for his sister Tamar is evident in his protective words to her (2 Samuel 13:20) and his long-nurtured hatred for Amnon (2 Samuel 13:22). His revenge is premeditated, waiting two years before executing a carefully planned murder at a feast (2 Samuel 13:23-28). After the killing, he flees to his maternal grandfather's kingdom in Geshur, showing his reliance on family ties (2 Samuel 13:37). His beauty is emphasized as unmatched in Israel (2 Samuel 14:25), and his later actions—setting Joab's field on fire to force a meeting—demonstrate a determined, even aggressive, personality (2 Samuel 14:30-31). The king's conflicted feelings toward Absalom (longing but refusal to see him) highlight the deep family rift (2 Samuel 13:39, 14:24).
Did You Know?
- Absalom named his only daughter Tamar, after his sister (2 Samuel 14:27).
- He waited two full years after Tamar's assault before killing Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23).
- Absalom fled to Geshur, the kingdom of his grandfather Talmai (2 Samuel 13:37).
- He set Joab's barley field on fire to force a meeting (2 Samuel 14:30-31).
Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)
"So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on his mule and fled." — Absalom "Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him." — Absalom "Then Joab said, “I cannot linger with you.” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree." — Absalom
Elsewhere in the Figures of Scripture universe
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