Topical Bible: Wicked Children: Absalom

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Absalom, the third son of King David, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his physical beauty, charisma, and ultimately, his rebellion against his father. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. Absalom's life is a cautionary tale of pride, ambition, and the consequences of rebellion against God's anointed.

Family Background and Early Life

Absalom was born to King David and Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3). He had a sister named Tamar and a brother named Amnon. Absalom's early life was marked by tragedy and familial strife, which set the stage for his later actions.

The Incident with Amnon and Tamar

The seeds of Absalom's rebellion were sown in the incident involving his sister Tamar and his half-brother Amnon. Amnon, driven by lust, violated Tamar, an act that deeply angered Absalom. "When King David heard all this, he was furious. But Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar" (2 Samuel 13:21-22). Absalom's hatred for Amnon simmered for two years before he took revenge by orchestrating Amnon's murder during a feast (2 Samuel 13:28-29).

Exile and Return

After killing Amnon, Absalom fled to Geshur, where he stayed for three years (2 Samuel 13:37-38). During this time, King David longed for his son but did not take action to bring him back. Eventually, through the intervention of Joab, David's commander, Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem, though he was not immediately granted an audience with the king (2 Samuel 14:23-24).

Rebellion Against David

Absalom's return to Jerusalem marked the beginning of his political maneuvering. He sought to win the hearts of the Israelites by presenting himself as a more accessible and just leader than his father. "Absalom would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out to him, 'What city are you from?' And he would answer, 'Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.' Then Absalom would say to him, 'Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you'" (2 Samuel 15:2-3).

After four years of building support, Absalom declared himself king in Hebron, leading a full-scale rebellion against David (2 Samuel 15:10). David was forced to flee Jerusalem, and Absalom took control of the city.

Downfall and Death

Absalom's rebellion ultimately led to his downfall. In the ensuing battle in the forest of Ephraim, Absalom's forces were defeated by David's loyal troops. During the battle, Absalom's long hair, a symbol of his pride, became entangled in the branches of a large oak tree, leaving him hanging and vulnerable. Joab, David's commander, took the opportunity to kill Absalom, despite David's explicit instructions to deal gently with him (2 Samuel 18:9-15).

David's grief over Absalom's death was profound, as he 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). This lament highlights the deep love David had for his son, despite Absalom's rebellion and wickedness.

Legacy

Absalom's life serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of pride, ambition, and rebellion. His actions brought great turmoil to the kingdom of Israel and deep sorrow to his father, King David. The account of Absalom underscores the importance of humility, obedience to God's will, and the consequences of sin within a family and a nation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 15:10
But 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 reigns in Hebron.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

2 Sam. 23:4-5. Without Clouds.
... Hear his hopeless cry, " O Absalom, my son, my son, would God I had ... shall be no quarrels,
no losses, no crosses, no disappointments, no wicked children, no bad ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xiv 2 sam 23 4-5.htm

How, when Absalom was Beaten, He was Caught in a Tree by his Hair ...
... who have been justly slain; for had Absalom gotten the ... of us, beginning with thyself
and thy children, had miserably ... thine own son hath proved so wicked to thee ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how when absalom.htm

The Children's Bible
... <. The Children's Bible Henry A. Sherman. ... THE STORY OF THE TOWER OF BABEL.
LOT'S ESCAPE FROM A WICKED CITY. ... ABSALOM THE UNGRATEFUL SON. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... He desires, as Absalom, to see the king's face'. A lamenting after the Lord. ... The
wicked suck poison from that breast of ordinances where the children of God ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

The Promises of the Christian Home.
... This is a mere assumption; for Absalom was not properly ... It is often said that the
children of ministers and pious parents are usually more wicked than other ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxv the promises of.htm

The Wills of Men are So Much in the Power of God, that He Can Turn ...
... of their own will that the enemies of the children of Israel ... that God uses the hearts
of even wicked men for ... Did not Absalom choose by his own will the counsel ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 41 xx the wills of.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... mischief, and hurt our affairs more than did Absalom himself; do ... said to them, "Will
you be so wicked as to perish miserably, with your children and wives ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

The History of David
... how much more ye that be so wicked to slay ... he bought and nourished and grew with
his children, eating of ... Absalom hated Amnon ever after, and when Absalom on a ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... Asa's mother, Maachah, a daughter of Absalom, even had an ... to follow the will of his
wicked wife Athaliah ... his very house, and killed all his children except the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

Adonijah
... fact that the future well-being of children depends largely ... son!" Yet the very sin
of Absalom which had ... of history, "The expectation of the wicked shall perish ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm