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Introduction:
Absalom, a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, is known for his striking appearance, ambitious nature, and tragic end. He was the third son of King David and Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3). Absalom's account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, where his life is marked by familial conflict, rebellion, and a quest for power.

Appearance and Personality:
Absalom was renowned for his exceptional beauty and charisma. The Bible describes him as the most handsome man in all Israel, without blemish from head to toe (2 Samuel 14:25). His long hair, which he cut once a year, was particularly noted for its weight and beauty (2 Samuel 14:26).

Family and Early Life:
Absalom was born to King David in Hebron during David's reign over Judah. He had a sister named Tamar and a brother named Amnon. The family dynamics were complex, with tensions that would later lead to significant conflict.

The Incident with Amnon and Tamar:
A pivotal event in Absalom's life was the rape of his sister Tamar by their half-brother Amnon. Absalom harbored a deep hatred for Amnon following the incident and took justice into his own hands by orchestrating Amnon's murder two years later during a feast (2 Samuel 13:28-29). After the murder, Absalom fled to his maternal grandfather's kingdom in Geshur, where he stayed for three years (2 Samuel 13:37-38).

Return to Jerusalem and Reconciliation with David:
Joab, the commander of David's army, eventually persuaded David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem. However, David refused to see him for two more years. Finally, through Joab's intervention, Absalom was reconciled with his father, and David kissed him, signifying forgiveness (2 Samuel 14:33).

Rebellion Against David:
Despite the reconciliation, Absalom's ambition led him to conspire against his father. He began to win the hearts of the people of Israel by presenting himself as a more accessible and just leader than David (2 Samuel 15:1-6). Absalom declared himself king in Hebron, sparking a rebellion against David (2 Samuel 15:10).

David's Flight and Absalom's Pursuit:
David, upon hearing of Absalom's rebellion, fled Jerusalem with his loyal followers (2 Samuel 15:14). Absalom entered the city and took over the royal palace. In a bid to assert his claim to the throne, he publicly lay with his father's concubines, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy of calamity within David's house (2 Samuel 16:21-22).

The Battle in the Forest of Ephraim:
The conflict between David and Absalom culminated in a battle in the forest of Ephraim. David's forces, led by Joab, defeated Absalom's army. During the battle, Absalom's hair became entangled in the branches of a large oak tree, leaving him hanging as his mule ran away (2 Samuel 18:9). Joab, despite David's explicit instructions to deal gently with Absalom, killed him with three javelins (2 Samuel 18:14).

David's Mourning:
Upon hearing of Absalom's death, David was overcome with grief, lamenting, "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33). His mourning was so profound that it overshadowed the victory, prompting Joab to confront David about the impact on his troops (2 Samuel 19:1-7).

Legacy:
Absalom's life and rebellion left a lasting impact on David's reign and the history of Israel. His account is a poignant reminder of the complexities of familial relationships, the consequences of unchecked ambition, and the fulfillment of divine prophecy.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ABSALON

ab'-sa-lon. SeeABSALOM (in the Apocrypha).

Library

Grundtvig's Early Years
... Grundtvigs on both sides of the family were descendants of a long line of distinguished
forebears, the most famous of whom was ArchbishopAbsalon, the founder...

Thesaurus

Absalon
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaABSALON. ab'-sa-lon. See ABSALOM (in the Apocrypha)....

Absence (5 Occurrences)

Ab'salom's (5 Occurrences)
Ab'salom's. Absalom's, Ab'salom's.Absalon . Multi-Version Concordance Ab'salom's
(5 Occurrences).... (See RSV). Absalom's, Ab'salom's.Absalon . Reference...

Absalom (93 Occurrences)
... WW Davies. ABSALOM (2). (Apocrypha) (Codex Vaticanus, Abessalomos and Abessalom;
Codex Alexandrinus, Absalomos, the King James VersionAbsalon): (1) Father of...