Topical Bible: Absalom: Son of David by Maacah

◄ Absalom: Son of David by Maacah ►

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Introduction:
Absalom, a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, is the third son of King David and his wife Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel, where he is depicted as a handsome and charismatic, yet ultimately tragic, figure. Absalom's life is marked by familial conflict, ambition, and rebellion.

Family Background:
Absalom was born to David and Maacah during David's reign in Hebron. Maacah was a princess of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom, which suggests a political alliance through marriage. Absalom had a sister named Tamar and a brother named Amnon, among other siblings.

Physical Appearance:
Absalom is noted for his striking appearance, particularly his hair, which is described as exceptionally heavy and beautiful. 2 Samuel 14:25-26 states, "Now in all Israel there was no man as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, he was without blemish. And when he cut the hair of his head—he shaved it every year because his hair was so heavy—he would weigh it, and it would be two hundred shekels by the royal standard."

The Incident with Amnon and Tamar:
Absalom's family life was marred by tragedy when his half-brother Amnon raped his sister Tamar. David, though angered, did not punish Amnon, which led to Absalom taking matters into his own hands. After two years, Absalom avenged his sister by orchestrating Amnon's murder during a feast. Following this act, Absalom fled to his maternal grandfather's kingdom in Geshur, where he stayed for three years (2 Samuel 13:23-38).

Return to Jerusalem:
Joab, David's military commander, eventually facilitated Absalom's return to Jerusalem. However, Absalom was not immediately reconciled with his father and lived in Jerusalem for two years without seeing David's face. Finally, through Joab's intervention, Absalom was brought before David, who kissed him, signaling a formal reconciliation (2 Samuel 14:1-33).

Rebellion Against David:
Despite the reconciliation, Absalom harbored ambitions for the throne. He began to win the hearts of the people of Israel by presenting himself as a just and accessible leader. After four years, Absalom declared himself king in Hebron, sparking a rebellion against David. Many Israelites supported Absalom, forcing David to flee Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:1-14).

The Battle and Absalom's Death:
The conflict culminated in the Battle of Ephraim's Wood. Despite David's explicit instructions to deal gently with Absalom, Joab, David's commander, killed Absalom after he was found hanging by his hair in a tree. Absalom's death marked the end of the rebellion, but it brought profound grief to David, who lamented, "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).

Legacy:
Absalom's life and rebellion left a lasting impact on David's reign and the history of Israel. His account is a complex narrative of familial strife, ambition, and the consequences of unchecked desires. Absalom's monument, referred to as "Absalom's Pillar," is mentioned in 2 Samuel 18:18 : "During his lifetime, Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he said, 'I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.' He named the pillar after himself, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument."

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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;
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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:
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Library

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... 4. About this time David was become the father of six ... wife Abigail; the name of the
third was Absalom, by Maacah ... the general of the host of Saul's son, who, by ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
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of Jeshur (2:Sam.3:3). So, too, will the Antichrist be a veritable king among ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The struggle between Ish-bosheth and David"David sole king ... with the peoples of the
East"Absalom's rebellion; the ... Sheshonq I. as king and his son Auputi as ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm