Who
David’s third son, by Maacah the daughter of the king of Geshur, famed for his beauty. When his half-brother Amnon violated his sister Tamar, Absalom had him killed and fled (2 Samuel 13). Brought back, he stole the hearts of Israel and rose against his father, who fled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15). In the battle in the forest of Ephraim his hair caught in an oak, and Joab killed him against David’s order. David wept: “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you” (2 Samuel 18:33). Psalm 3 is headed as David’s, “when he fled from Absalom”, and Augustine read the son who betrayed his father as a figure of Judas.
Key verses
- 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 18:33
The king was much moved, and went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he went, he said, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”
- 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;
Where the Bible names him
Family
Discussed by
Comments on the verses that name him.
- Ambrose of Milan, On the Decease of His Brother Satyrus Book 2
On the Belief in the Resurrection. 1. In the former book I indulged my longing to some extent, lest too sharp remedies applied to a burning wound might rather increase than assuage the pain. And as at the same time I…
- Augustine of Hippo, Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 3
A psalm of David, when he fled from the face of Abessalon his son. 1. The words, “I slept, and took rest; and rose, for the Lord will take me up,” lead us to believe that this Psalm is to be understood as in the…
- Ambrose of Milan, On the Duties of the Clergy II.5
Those things which are generally looked on as good are mostly hindrances to a blessed life, and those which are looked on as evil are the materials out of which virtues grow. What belongs to blessedness is shown by…
- Ambrose of Milan, Concerning Repentance II.11
The possibility of repentance is a reason why baptism should not be deferred to old age, a practice which is against the will of God in holy Scripture. But it is of no use to practise penance whilst still serving…
- Jerome, Letters Letter 39
To Paula. Blæsilla died within three months of her conversion, and Jerome now writes to Paula to offer her his sympathy and, if possible, to moderate her grief. He asks her to remember that Blæsilla is now in…