Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABSALOM (1)ab'-sa-lom ('abhshalom, "father is peace," written also Abishalom, 1 Kings 15:2, 10): David's third son by Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, a small territory between Hermon and Bashan. ABSALOM (2) (Apocrypha) (Codex Vaticanus, Abessalomos and Abessalom; Codex Alexandrinus, Absalomos, the King James Version Absalon): Strong's Hebrew 53. Abishalom -- "my father is peace," two Israelites... "my father is peace," two Israelites. Transliteration: Abishalom Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-shaw-lome') Short Definition: Absalom. ... Abishalom, Absalom. ... /hebrew/53.htm - 6k Library How, when Absalom was Beaten, He was Caught in a Tree by his Hair ... How Absalom Murdered Amnon, who had Forced his Own Sister; and How ... Concerning the Insurrection of Absalom against David and ... Absalom the Ungrateful Son Is The Young Man Absalom Safe? Is The Young Man Absalom Safe? A Broken-Hearted Father David's Sorrow. Pardoned Sin Punished The Wail of a Broken Heart Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary AbsalomSmith's Bible Dictionary Absalom(father of peace),third son of David by Maachah, daughter of Tamai king of Geshur, a Syrian district adjoining the northeast frontier of the Holy Land. (Born B.C. 1050.) Absalom had a sister, Tamar, who was violated by her half-brother Amnon. The natural avenger of such an outrage would be Tamar's full brother Absalom. He brooded over the wrong for two years, and then invited all the princes to a sheep-shearing feast at his estate in Baalhazor, on the borders of Ephraim and Benjamin. Here he ordered his servants to murder Amnon, and then fled for safety to his grandfather's court at Geshur, where he remained for three years. At the end of that time he was brought back by an artifice of Joab. David, however, would not see Absalom for two more years; but at length Joab brought about a reconciliation. Absalom now began at once to prepare for rebellion. He tried to supplant his father by courting popularity, standing in the gate, conversing with every suitor, and lamenting the difficulty which he would find in getting a hearing. He also maintained a splendid retinue, (2 Samuel 15:1) and was admired for his personal beauty. It is probable too that the great tribe of Judah had taken some offence at David's government. Absalom raised the standard of revolt at Hebron, the old capital of Judah, now supplanted by Jerusalem. The revolt was at first completely successful; David fled from his capital over the Jordan to Mahanaim in Gilead, and Absalom occupied Jerusalem. At last, after being solemnly anointed king at Jerusalem, (2 Samuel 19:10) Absalom crossed the Jordan to attack his father, who by this time had rallied round him a considerable force. A decisive battle was fought in Gilead, in the wood of Ephraim. Here Absalom's forces were totally defeated, and as he himself was escaping his long hair was entangled in the branches of a terebinth, where he was left hanging while the mule on which he was riding ran away from under him. He was dispatched by Joab in spite of the prohibition of David, who, loving him to the last, had desired that his life might be spared. He was buried in a great pit in the forest, and the conquerors threw stones over his grave, an old proof of bitter hostility. (Joshua 7:26) ATS Bible Dictionary AbsalomOnly son of David by Maacah, 2 Samuel 3:3. He was remarkable for his beauty and for his fine head of hair, 2 Samuel 14:25, which being cut from time to time when it incommoded him, used to weigh 200 shekels by the king's standard, that is, probable about thirty ounces, an extraordinary, but not incredible weight. Ammon, another of the king's sons, having violated his sister Tamar, Absalom caused him to be slain, and then fled to Geshur, where Talmai his grandfather was king. After three years, at the intercession of Joab, David permitted him to return to Jerusalem, and at length received him again into favor, 2 Samuel 14:1-33. Absalom, however, grossly abused his father's kindness; he soon began to play the demagogue, and by many artful devices "stole the hearts of the people," and got himself proclaimed king in Hebron. David retired from Jerusalem; Absalom followed him; and in the battle, which ensued, the troops of the latter were defeated, and he himself, being caught by his head in a tree, was found and slain by Joab. David was much affected by his death, and uttered bitter lamentations over him, 2 Samuel 18:33. His history affords instructive lessons to the young against the sins to which they are prone, particularly vanity, ambition, lawless passions, and filial disobedience. Easton's Bible Dictionary Father of peace; i.e., "peaceful" David's son by Maacah (2 Samuel 3:3; Comp. 1 Kings 1:6). He was noted for his personal beauty and for the extra-ordinary profusion of the hair of his head (2 Samuel 14:25, 26). The first public act of his life was the blood-revenge he executed against Amnon, David's eldest son, who had basely wronged Absalom's sister Tamar. This revenge was executed at the time of the festivities connected with a great sheep-shearing at Baal-hazor. David's other sons fled from the place in horror, and brought the tidings of the death of Amnon to Jerusalem. Alarmed for the consequences of the act, Absalom fled to his grandfather at Geshur, and there abode for three years (2 Samuel 3:3; 13:23-38).David mourned his absent son, now branded with the guilt of fratricide. As the result of a stratagem carried out by a woman of Tekoah, Joab received David's sanction to invite Absalom back to Jerusalem. He returned accordingly, but two years elapsed before his father admitted him into his presence (2 Samuel 14:28). Absalom was now probably the oldest surviving son of David, and as he was of royal descent by his mother as well as by his father, he began to aspire to the throne. His pretensions were favoured by the people. By many arts he gained their affection; and after his return from Geshur (2 Samuel 15:7; marg., R.V.) he went up to Hebron, the old capital of Judah, along with a great body of the people, and there proclaimed himself king. The revolt was so successful that David found it necessary to quit Jerusalem and flee to Mahanaim, beyond Jordan; where upon Absalom returned to Jerusalem and took possession of the throne without opposition. Ahithophel, who had been David's chief counsellor, deserted him and joined Absalom, whose chief counsellor he now became. Hushai also joined Absalom, but only for the purpose of trying to counteract the counsels of Ahithophel, and so to advantage David's cause. He was so far successful that by his advice, which was preferred to that of Ahithophel, Absalom delayed to march an army against his father, who thus gained time to prepare for the defence. Absalom at length marched out against his father, whose army, under the command of Joab, he encountered on the borders of the forest of Ephraim. Twenty thousand of Absalom's army were slain in that fatal battle, and the rest fled. Absalom fled on a swift mule; but his long flowing hair, or more probably his head, was caught in the bough of an oak, and there he was left suspended till Joab came up and pierced him through with three darts. His body was then taken down and cast into a pit dug in the forest, and a heap of stones was raised over his grave. When the tidings of the result of that battle were brought to David, as he sat impatiently at the gate of Mahanaim, and he was told that Absalom had been slain, he gave way to the bitter lamentation: "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33. Comp. Exodus 32:32; Romans 9:3). Absalom's three sons (2 Samuel 14:27; Comp. 18:18) had all died before him, so that he left only a daughter, Tamar, who became the grandmother of Abijah. Thesaurus Absalom (93 Occurrences)... The first public act of his life was the blood-revenge he executed against Amnon, David's eldest son, who had basely wronged Absalom's sister Tamar. ... /a/absalom.htm - 50k Absalom's (16 Occurrences) Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences) Ahithophel (17 Occurrences) Amnon (23 Occurrences) Ab'salom's (5 Occurrences) Geshur (11 Occurrences) Ittai (9 Occurrences) Maachah (19 Occurrences) Advice (52 Occurrences) Bible Concordance Absalom (93 Occurrences)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; 2 Samuel 13:1 It happened after this, that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 Samuel 13:4 He 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 13:20 Absalom 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 in her brother Absalom's house. 2 Samuel 13:22 Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 2 Samuel 13:23 It happened after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 2 Samuel 13:24 Absalom came to the king, and said, "See now, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant." 2 Samuel 13:25 The king said to Absalom, "No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you." He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him. 2 Samuel 13:26 Then 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 13:27 But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 2 Samuel 13:28 Absalom 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 courageous, and be valiant!" 2 Samuel 13:29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man got him up on his mule, and fled. 2 Samuel 13:30 It happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, "Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left!" 2 Samuel 13:32 Jonadab, 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 of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 2 Samuel 13:34 But 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 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. 2 Samuel 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 2 Samuel 13:39 the soul of king David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. 2 Samuel 14:1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom. 2 Samuel 14:21 The king said to Joab, "Behold now, I have done this thing. Go therefore, bring the young man Absalom back." 2 Samuel 14:23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 14:24 The 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 14:25 Now in all Israel there was none 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 blemish in him. 2 Samuel 14:27 To Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a beautiful face. 2 Samuel 14:28 Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem; and he didn't see the king's face. 2 Samuel 14:29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come. 2 Samuel 14:30 Therefore he said to his servants, "Behold, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire." Absalom's servants set the field on fire. 2 Samuel 14:31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?" 2 Samuel 14:32 Absalom 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 therefore let me see the king's face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me."'" 2 Samuel 14:33 So 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 15:1 It happened after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Samuel 15:2 Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. It was so, that 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 from?" He said, "Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel." 2 Samuel 15:3 Absalom said to him, "Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you." 2 Samuel 15:4 Absalom 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 15:5 It was so, that when any man came near to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him. 2 Samuel 15:6 In this manner Absalom did to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:7 It happened at the end of forty years, that Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in Hebron. 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 is king in Hebron!'" 2 Samuel 15:11 Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn't know anything. 2 Samuel 15:12 Absalom 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 continually with Absalom. 2 Samuel 15:13 A messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom." 2 Samuel 15:14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom. Make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword." 2 Samuel 15:19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner, and also an exile. Return to your own place. 2 Samuel 15:31 Someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." David said, "Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." 2 Samuel 15:34 but 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 will I now be your servant; then will you defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.' 2 Samuel 15:37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 16:8 Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned! Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son! Behold, you are caught by your own mischief, because you are a man of blood!" 2 Samuel 16:15 Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 2 Samuel 16:16 It happened, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, had come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" 2 Samuel 16:17 Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?" 2 Samuel 16:18 Hushai said to Absalom, "No; but whoever Yahweh, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him I will stay. 2 Samuel 16:20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel what we shall do." 2 Samuel 16:21 Ahithophel 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 are with you will be strong." 2 Samuel 16:22 So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 2 Samuel 16:23 The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. 2 Samuel 17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight. 2 Samuel 17:4 The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. 2 Samuel 17:5 Then said Absalom, "Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he says." 2 Samuel 17:6 When Hushai was 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 17:7 Hushai said to Absalom, "The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good." 2 Samuel 17:9 Behold, 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 people who follow Absalom!' 2 Samuel 17:14 Absalom 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 the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom. 2 Samuel 17:15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counseled this way. 2 Samuel 17:18 But a boy saw them, and told Absalom. Then they both went away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down there. 2 Samuel 17:20 Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman said to them, "They have gone over the brook of water." When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 17:24 Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 2 Samuel 17:25 Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 2 Samuel 17:26 Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead. 2 Samuel 18:5 The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom." All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom. 2 Samuel 18:9 Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his 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 sky and earth; and the mule that was under him went on. 2 Samuel 18:10 A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, "Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak." 2 Samuel 18:12 The man said to Joab, "Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn't put forth my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying,'Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.' 2 Samuel 18:14 Then Joab said, "I'n not going to wait like this with you." He took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. 2 Samuel 18:15 Ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him. 2 Samuel 18:17 They took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled everyone to his tent. 2 Samuel 18:18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar, which is in the king's dale; for he said, "I have no son to keep my name in memory." He called the pillar after his own name; and it is called Absalom's monument, to this day. 2 Samuel 18:29 The king said, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent the king's servant, even me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I don't know what it was." 2 Samuel 18:32 The king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you to do you harm, be as that young man is." 2 Samuel 18:33 The king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. As he went, he said, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you, Absalom, my son, my son!" 2 Samuel 19:1 It was told Joab, "Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom." 2 Samuel 19:4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, "My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!" 2 Samuel 19:6 in that you love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. For you have declared this day, that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it would have pleased you well. 2 Samuel 19:9 All the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 2 Samuel 19:10 Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don't you speak a word of bringing the king back?" 2 Samuel 20:6 David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than did Absalom. Take your lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight." 1 Kings 1:6 His 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 2:7 But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother. 1 Kings 2:28 The news came to Joab; for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he didn't turn after Absalom. Joab fled to the Tent of Yahweh, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. 1 Chronicles 3:2 the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; 2 Chronicles 11:20 After her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith. 2 Chronicles 11:21 Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter 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 sixty daughters.) Psalms 2:12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him. Psalm 3 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. Psalms 3:1 A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son. Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me. Subtopics Absalom is Permitted by David to Return to Jerusalem Absalom: Son of David by Maacah Related Terms Sheep-shearers (3 Occurrences) Links Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |