Absalom
압살롬
Named at 2 Samuel 3:3 as the third of the sons born to David in Hebron: “the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur”. 2 Samuel 13:20–22 says that Absalom said to his sister Tamar, “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”, that Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house, and that Absalom hated Amnon and spoke to him neither good nor bad; 13:23–29 says that after two full years Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim, and invited all the king’s sons, that he commanded his servants, “when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him”, and that the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded; and 13:37–38 says that Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur, and was in Geshur three years. 2 Samuel 14:21–24 says that Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem, and that Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face; 14:27 that three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar; 14:33 that the king kissed Absalom; and 15:1–12 that Absalom stood beside the way of the gate and stole the hearts of the men of Israel, went to Hebron, and 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 16:15–22 says that Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and that Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel; 17:14 that Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel”; 18:9–15 that his head caught hold of the oak, and he was hanging between the sky and earth, that Joab took three darts in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the middle of the oak, and that ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him; and 18:17–18 that they cast Absalom into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones, and that the pillar Absalom had reared up for himself in his lifetime is called Absalom’s monument, to this day.
Direct relationships 23
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- 1CH 3:1–4, engwebp
1Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;
2the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
3the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:
4six were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem;
- 1KI 1:5–10, engwebp
5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
6His 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.
7He conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest; and they followed Adonijah and helped him.
8But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
9Adonijah killed sheep, cattle, and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel; and he called all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants;
10but he didn’t call Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother.
- 1KI 2:5–9, engwebp
5“Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his sash that was around his waist and in his sandals that were on his feet.
6Do therefore according to your wisdom, and don’t let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.
7But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
8“Behold, there is with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the LORD, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’
9Now therefore don’t hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood.”
- 1KI 2:28–35, engwebp
28This news came to Joab; for Joab had followed Adonijah, although he didn’t follow Absalom. Joab fled to the LORD’s Tent, and held onto the horns of the altar.
29King Solomon was told, “Joab has fled to the LORD’s Tent; and behold, he is by the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, fall on him.”
30Benaiah came to the LORD’s Tent, and said to him, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” He said, “No; but I will die here.” Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, “This is what Joab said, and this is how he answered me.”
31The king said to him, “Do as he has said, and fall on him, and bury him, that you may take away the blood, which Joab shed without cause, from me and from my father’s house.
32The LORD will return his blood on his own head, because he fell on two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword, and my father David didn’t know it: Abner the son of Ner, captain of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the army of Judah.
33So their blood will return on the head of Joab and on the head of his offspring forever. But for David, for his offspring, for his house, and for his throne, there will be peace forever from the LORD.”
34Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and fell on him, and killed him; and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.
35The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army; and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.
- 2CH 11:18–23, engwebp
18Rehoboam took a wife for himself, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.
19She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
20After her, he took Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
21Rehoboam loved Maacah the granddaughter 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.
22Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers, for he intended to make him king.
23He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance; and he sought many wives for them.
- 2SA 3:2–5, engwebp
2Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3and 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;
4and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
- 2SA 13:1–2, engwebp
1After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
- 2SA 13:3–5, engwebp
3But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
4He 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.”
5Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’”
- 2SA 13:20–22, engwebp
20Absalom 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.
21But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
22Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
- 2SA 13:23–29, engwebp
23After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
24Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
25The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.
26Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
27But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28Absalom 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!”
29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled.
- 2SA 13:30–36, engwebp
30While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!”
31Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
32Jonadab 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.
33Now therefore don’t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for only Amnon is dead.”
34But 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.
35Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons are coming! It is as your servant said.”
36As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voices and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly.
- 2SA 13:37–39, engwebp
37But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
38So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
- 2SA 14:1–3, engwebp
1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.
2Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil; but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
3Go in to the king and speak like this to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
- 2SA 14:21–24, engwebp
21The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.”
22Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.”
23So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24The 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.
- 2SA 14:25–27, engwebp
25Now in all Israel there was no one 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 defect in him.
26When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king’s weight.
27Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.
- 2SA 14:28–33, engwebp
28Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.
29Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time, but he would not come.
30Therefore he said to his servants, “Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
31Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
32Absalom 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.”’”
33So 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.
- 2SA 15:1–6, engwebp
1After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him.
2Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. 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.”
3Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”
4Absalom 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!”
5It was so, that when any man came near to bow down to him, he stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.
6Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
- 2SA 15:7–12, engwebp
7At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
8For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’”
9The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
10But 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!’”
11Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything.
12Absalom 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.
- 2SA 15:13–18, engwebp
13A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
14David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise! Let’s flee, or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
15The king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.”
16The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
17The king went out, and all the people after him; and they stayed in Beth Merhak.
18All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
- 2SA 15:30–31, engwebp
30David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. All the people who were with him each covered his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31Someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
- 2SA 15:32–37, engwebp
32When David had come to the top, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his tunic torn and earth on his head.
33David said to him, “If you pass on with me, then you will be a burden to me;
34but 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 I will now be your servant; then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.’
35Don’t you have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? Therefore whatever you hear out of the king’s house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son. Send to me everything that you shall hear by them.”
37So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
- 2SA 16:5–14, engwebp
5When King David came to Bahurim, behold, a man of the family of Saul’s house came out, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out and cursed as he came.
6He cast stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
7Shimei said when he cursed, “Be gone, be gone, you man of blood, and wicked fellow!
8The LORD has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you have reigned! The LORD 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!”
9Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head.”
10The king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”
11David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, who came out of my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has invited him.
12It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me good for the cursing of me today.”
13So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him, and threw dust.
14The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary; and he refreshed himself there.
- 2SA 16:15–19, engwebp
15Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
18Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his, and I will stay with him.
19Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.”
- 2SA 16:20–23, engwebp
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
21Ahithophel 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.”
22So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the counsel of Ahithophel was like this both with David and with Absalom.
- 2SA 17:1–4, engwebp
1Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.
2I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him will flee. I will strike the king only,
3and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned. All the people shall be in peace.”
4The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
- 2SA 17:5–14, engwebp
5Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”
6When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up.”
7Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”
8Hushai said moreover, “You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
9Behold, 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!’
10Even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.
11But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.
12So we will come on him in some place where he will be found, and we will light on him as the dew falls on the ground, then we will not leave so much as one of him and of all the men who are with him.
13Moreover, if he has gone into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there isn’t one small stone found there.”
14Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil on Absalom.
- 2SA 17:15–22, engwebp
15Then 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.
16Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, ‘Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.’”
17Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female servant used to go and report to them, and they went and told King David; for they couldn’t risk being seen coming into the city.
18But 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.
19The woman took and spread the covering over the well’s mouth, and spread out crushed grain on it; and nothing was known.
20Absalom’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.
21After they had departed, they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, “Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.”
22Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they passed over the Jordan. By the morning light there lacked not one of them who had not gone over the Jordan.
- 2SA 17:24–26, engwebp
24Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
25Absalom 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.
26Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
- 2SA 18:1–5, engwebp
1David counted the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2David sent the people out, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, “I will also surely go out with you myself.”
3But the people said, “You shall not go out, for if we flee away, they will not care for us, neither if half of us die, will they care for us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city.”
4The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.” The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
5The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom.
- 2SA 18:9–15, engwebp
9Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. 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 hanging between the sky and earth; and the mule that was under him went on.
10A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”
11Joab said to the man who told him, “Behold, you saw it, and why didn’t you strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a sash.”
12The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’
13Otherwise, if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.”
14Then Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this with you.” He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the middle of the oak.
15Ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him.
- 2SA 18:16–18, engwebp
16Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held the people back.
17They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled, each to his own tent.
18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar which is in the king’s valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in memory.” He called the pillar after his own name. It is called Absalom’s monument, to this day.
- 2SA 18:24–32, engwebp
24Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.
25The watchman shouted and told the king. The king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” He came closer and closer.
26The watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, a man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.”
27The watchman said, “I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.”
28Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, “All is well.” He bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth, and said, “Blessed is the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their hand against my lord the king!”
29The 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.”
30The king said, “Come and stand here.” He came and stood still.
31Behold, the Cushite came. The Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king, for the LORD has avenged you today of all those who rose up against you.”
32The 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.”
- 2SA 18:33, engwebp
33The 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!”
- 2SA 19:1–8, engwebp
1Joab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”
2The victory that day was turned into mourning among all the people, for the people heard it said that day, “The king grieves for his son.”
3The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!”
5Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have shamed the faces of all your servants who today have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines;
6in that you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have declared today that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and we had all died today, then it would have pleased you well.
7Now therefore arise, go out and speak to comfort your servants; for I swear by the LORD, if you don’t go out, not a man will stay with you this night. That would be worse to you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now.”
8Then the king arose and sat in the gate. The people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” All the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent.
- 2SA 19:9–15, engwebp
9All 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.
10Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don’t you speak a word of bringing the king back?”
11King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the speech of all Israel has come to the king, to return him to his house?
12You are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’
13Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren’t captain of the army before me continually instead of Joab.’”
14He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as one man, so that they sent to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.”
15So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.
- 2SA 20:4–7, engwebp
4Then the king said to Amasa, “Call me the men of Judah together within three days, and be here present.”
5So Amasa went to call the men of Judah together, but he stayed longer than the set time which had been appointed to him.
6David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight.”
7Joab’s men went out after him with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.
AI-assisted, human review pending, 2026-09-26
Machine comparison on 2026-10-07: the wording raised none of the 3 rules against the passages this entry cites. No person has read it.
Unresolved interpretation: 2 Samuel 15:7: 사년만에 (after four years) in the Korean Revised Version and “At the end of forty years” in WEB
- At 2 Samuel 15:7 the Korean Revised Version reads 사년만에 압살롬이 왕께 고하되 내가 여호와께 서원한 것이 있사오니 청컨대 나로 헤브론에 가서 그 서원을 이루게 하소서, which puts Absalom’s words to the king 사년만에 (after four years).
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2SA 15:7–12, engwebp
7At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
8For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’”
9The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
10But 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!’”
11Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything.
12Absalom 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.
- 2SA 15:7–12, engwebp
- WEB reads at 2 Samuel 15:7, “At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king”, and goes on with his words, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.”
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2SA 15:7–12, engwebp
7At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
8For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’”
9The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
10But 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!’”
11Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything.
12Absalom 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.
- 2SA 15:7–12, engwebp
At 2 Samuel 15:7 the Korean Revised Version puts Absalom’s words to the king 사년만에 (after four years), while WEB reads “At the end of forty years”. This collection records what each edition says and does not decide after how many years it was.
Unresolved interpretation: Absalom’s three sons at 2 Samuel 14:27 and the words of 18:18 that he had no son
- 2 Samuel 14:27 says, “Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.”
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2SA 14:25–27, engwebp
25Now in all Israel there was no one 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 defect in him.
26When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king’s weight.
27Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.
- 2SA 14:25–27, engwebp
- 2 Samuel 18:18 says, “Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar which is in the king’s valley, for he said, ‘I have no son to keep my name in memory.’” WEB gives these words as Absalom’s own; the Korean Revised Version gives them as the text’s: 이는 저가 자기 이름을 전할 아들이 없음을 한탄함이라, for he lamented that he had no son to carry his name.
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2SA 18:16–18, engwebp
16Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held the people back.
17They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled, each to his own tent.
18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar which is in the king’s valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in memory.” He called the pillar after his own name. It is called Absalom’s monument, to this day.
- 2SA 18:16–18, engwebp
2 Samuel 14:27 says that three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. 18:18 says that Absalom in his lifetime had reared up for himself the pillar, and gives the reason in WEB as his own words, “I have no son to keep my name in memory,” and in the Korean Revised Version as the text’s own words, 이는 저가 자기 이름을 전할 아들이 없음을 한탄함이라. This collection records what each passage says and does not decide how the two fit together.
Unresolved interpretation: Maacah the daughter of Abishalom at 1 Kings 15:2 and 15:10
- 2 Samuel 3:3 names the third of the sons born to David in Hebron: “Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur”.
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2SA 3:2–5, engwebp
2Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3and 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;
4and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
- 2SA 3:2–5, engwebp
- 1 Kings 15:1–2 says that Abijam began to reign over Judah and reigned three years in Jerusalem, and that “His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom”; 15:8 says, “and Asa his son reigned in his place.”
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 1KI 15:1–8, engwebp
1Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah.
2He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.
3He walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.
4Nevertheless for David’s sake, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;
5because David did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and didn’t turn away from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
6Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.
7The rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
8Abijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Asa his son reigned in his place.
- 1KI 15:1–8, engwebp
- 1 Kings 15:9–10 says that Asa began to reign over Judah and reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem, and that “His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom”; 15:13 says, “He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah.”
Source evidence (1)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 1KI 15:9–15, engwebp
9In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah.
10He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.
11Asa did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, as David his father did.
12He put away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
13He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron.
14But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect with the LORD all his days.
15He brought into the LORD’s house the things that his father had dedicated, and the things that he himself had dedicated: silver, gold, and utensils.
- 1KI 15:9–15, engwebp
- 2 Chronicles 11:20–22 says Rehoboam took Maacah, whom WEB calls Absalom’s granddaughter and the Korean Revised Version calls 압살롬의 딸, and that she bore Abijah. At 13:2 Abijah’s mother is Micaiah daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. At 15:16 Asa’s mother Maacah makes an image for an Asherah.
Source evidence (3)
AI-assisted comparison with the cited narrative; not independent historical verification.
- 2CH 11:18–23, engwebp
18Rehoboam took a wife for himself, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.
19She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
20After her, he took Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
21Rehoboam loved Maacah the granddaughter 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.
22Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers, for he intended to make him king.
23He dealt wisely, and dispersed some of his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance; and he sought many wives for them.
- 2CH 13:1–3, engwebp
1In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah.
2He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
3Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.
- 2CH 15:16–19, engwebp
16Also Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, he removed from being queen mother, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; so Asa cut down her image, ground it into dust, and burned it at the brook Kidron.
17But the high places were not taken away out of Israel; nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.
18He brought the things that his father had dedicated and that he himself had dedicated, silver, gold, and vessels into God’s house.
19There was no more war to the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.
- 2CH 11:18–23, engwebp
1 Kings 15:2, 15:10, and 15:13 name Maacah daughter of Abishalom as the mother of Abijam and of Asa. 2 Chronicles 11:20–22 says Rehoboam took Maacah and she bore Abijah, calling her Absalom’s granddaughter in WEB and 압살롬의 딸 in the Korean Revised Version; 13:2 calls Abijah’s mother Micaiah daughter of Uriel; 15:16 calls Asa’s mother Maacah. This collection does not decide whether Maacah and Micaiah, or Abishalom and Absalom, are identical, nor how the maternal descriptions relate.
All 23 relationships: AI-assisted, human review pending
-
David — Father of — Absalom
Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:1–4, 2 Samuel 3:2–5, 2 Samuel 13:1–2, 2 Samuel 16:5–14, 2 Samuel 18:33
-
Maacah (daughter of Talmai) — Mother of — Absalom
Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:1–4, 2 Samuel 3:2–5
-
Absalom — Sibling of — Tamar (sister of Absalom)
Evidence: 2 Samuel 13:1–2, 2 Samuel 13:20–22
-
Amnon — Sibling of — Absalom
Evidence: 2 Samuel 13:3–5, 2 Samuel 13:23–29
-
Absalom — Father of — Tamar (daughter of Absalom)
Evidence: 2 Samuel 14:25–27
-
Absalom — Sibling of — Solomon
Evidence: 1 Kings 2:5–9
-
Took part in (17) — Tamar remains desolate in her brother Absalom’s house, and Absalom hates Amnon, Absalom invites all the king’s sons to his sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, and his servants do to Amnon as Absalom had commanded, News comes to David that Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and Jonadab says that only Amnon is dead, Absalom flees to Talmai the son of Ammihur and is in Geshur three years, Joab goes to Geshur and brings Absalom to Jerusalem, Absalom’s beauty, and the three sons and the daughter Tamar born to him, Absalom’s servants set Joab’s field on fire, and the king kisses Absalom, Absalom stands beside the way of the gate and steals the hearts of the men of Israel, Absalom goes to Hebron, sends spies, and sends for Ahithophel, David’s counselor, Hushai the Archite comes to meet David; Hushai comes into the city, and Absalom into Jerusalem, Absalom comes to Jerusalem, and Hushai, David’s friend, comes to Absalom, Ahithophel gives Absalom his counsel, and Absalom goes in to his father’s concubines, Ahithophel asks Absalom to let him choose twelve thousand men and pursue David, Hushai gives his counsel, and Absalom and all the men of Israel say it is better than the counsel of Ahithophel, Jonathan and Ahimaaz tell King David, and David and all the people pass over the Jordan, David comes to Mahanaim, and Absalom sets Amasa over the army instead of Joab, Absalom hangs in an oak, and Joab thrusts darts through Absalom’s heart
A relationship with an event rests on the passages the event cites: each event’s page has them.
Verses tagged with this entry
Names in the World English Bible text that carry this entry’s tag. They are carried over from the tags on the Korean Revised Version, which are matched by name inside chapters that already have collected evidence, and a verse where the English says “he” carries none. All await human review. They are a separate list from the source passages above. An empty list does not mean the entry is absent from the text.
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;
After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
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.”
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.
Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he would not go, but blessed him.
Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
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!”
The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled.
While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left!”
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.
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.
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.
The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.”
So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
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.
Now in all Israel there was no one 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 defect in him.
Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.
Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.
Therefore he said to his servants, “Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
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.”’”
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.
After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him.
Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. 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.”
Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”
Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
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!’”
Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything.
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.
A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise! Let’s flee, or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
Someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
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 I will now be your servant; then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.’
So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
The LORD has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you have reigned! The LORD 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!”
Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his, and I will stay with him.
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
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.”
So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.
The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”
When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up.”
Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”
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!’
Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil on Absalom.
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.
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.
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.
Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
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.
Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom.
Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. 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 hanging between the sky and earth; and the mule that was under him went on.
A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”
The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’
Then Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this with you.” He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the middle of the oak.
Ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him.
They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled, each to his own tent.
Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar which is in the king’s valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in memory.” He called the pillar after his own name. It is called Absalom’s monument, to this day.
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.”
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.”
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!”
Joab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”
The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!”
in that you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have declared today that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and we had all died today, then it would have pleased you well.
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.
Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don’t you speak a word of bringing the king back?”
David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight.”
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.
But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
This news came to Joab; for Joab had followed Adonijah, although he didn’t follow Absalom. Joab fled to the LORD’s Tent, and held onto the horns of the altar.
the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
After her, he took Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
Rehoboam loved Maacah the granddaughter 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.
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[Bibliadatum entry report] Entry: Absalom (person-absalom) Address: https://bibliadatum.org/en/wiki/person/absalom Current wording: Named at 2 Samuel 3:3 as the third of the sons born to David in Hebron: “the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur”. 2 Samuel 13:20–22 says that Absalom said to his sister Tamar, “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”, that Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house, and that Absalom hated Amnon and spoke to him neither good nor bad; 13:23–29 says that after two full years Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim, and invited all the king’s sons, that he commanded his servants, “when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him”, and that the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded; and 13:37–38 says that Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur, and was in Geshur three years. 2 Samuel 14:21–24 says that Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem, and that Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face; 14:27 that three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar; 14:33 that the king kissed Absalom; and 15:1–12 that Absalom stood beside the way of the gate and stole the hearts of the men of Israel, went to Hebron, and 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 16:15–22 says that Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and that Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel; 17:14 that Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel”; 18:9–15 that his head caught hold of the oak, and he was hanging between the sky and earth, that Joab took three darts in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the middle of the oak, and that ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him; and 18:17–18 that they cast Absalom into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones, and that the pillar Absalom had reared up for himself in his lifetime is called Absalom’s monument, to this day. Cited evidence: 1CH 3:1–4, engwebp / 1KI 1:5–10, engwebp / 1KI 2:5–9, engwebp / 1KI 2:28–35, engwebp / 2CH 11:18–23, engwebp / 2SA 3:2–5, engwebp / 2SA 13:1–2, engwebp / 2SA 13:3–5, engwebp (and 28 more of 36) Review state: ai-assisted / human-review-pending What looks wrong: (not written yet) --- This collection records what the text says and does not settle interpretation. A report about a reading that divides opinion may be registered as an unresolved issue rather than corrected.