Topical Encyclopedia Absalom, the third son of King David, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his striking appearance, ambition, and tragic end. His death and burial are significant events that mark the culmination of his rebellion against his father, King David.Death of Absalom The account of Absalom's death is found in 2 Samuel 18. After Absalom declared himself king in Hebron and led a rebellion against David, a battle ensued in the forest of Ephraim. David's forces, led by Joab, clashed with Absalom's army. Despite David's explicit instructions to "deal gently with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 18:5), the battle resulted in a decisive victory for David's men. During the battle, Absalom encountered David's servants. As he rode on his mule, his head got caught in the thick branches of a large oak tree, leaving him hanging between heaven and earth while the mule continued on (2 Samuel 18:9). A man reported this to Joab, who, despite the king's command, took three javelins and thrust them into Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the oak tree (2 Samuel 18:14). Joab's armor-bearers then surrounded Absalom and struck him down, killing him. Burial of Absalom Following Absalom's death, Joab's men took his body and cast it into a large pit in the forest. They heaped a great pile of stones over him as a form of burial (2 Samuel 18:17). This act of covering the body with stones was a customary practice for the burial of disgraced individuals or enemies, signifying Absalom's fall from grace and the ignominy of his rebellion. Interestingly, prior to his death, Absalom had erected a monument for himself in the King's Valley, as he had no son to carry on his name. This pillar, known as Absalom's Monument, was intended to preserve his legacy (2 Samuel 18:18). However, the manner of his burial starkly contrasted with his aspirations for remembrance and honor. The news of Absalom's death was brought to David by a Cushite messenger. Upon hearing of his son's demise, David was deeply moved and mourned, expressing his grief with the lament, "O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33). David's profound sorrow highlights the personal tragedy intertwined with the political conflict, as he grappled with the loss of his son despite Absalom's betrayal. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 18:9-17And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode on 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. Nave's Topical Index Library The Wail of a Broken Heart How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ... The Weeping Saviour. A Question for Communicants The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, The Antiquities of the Jews How Jonathan was Slain by Treachery; and How Thereupon the Jews ... Loyal to the Core How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of The First Kings. Resources Who was Absalom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is an Absalom spirit? | GotQuestions.org What is Absalom's Monument? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Absalom is Permitted by David to Return to Jerusalem Absalom: Son of David by Maacah Related Terms |
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