Biblical Profile: Absalom

Absalom

Absalom, son of David, was a handsome prince (2 Sam 14:25-26). When his sister Tamar was raped by their half brother Amnon and then discarded, Absalom took her in (13:1-20). He might have expected David to punish Amnon, but David said nothing (13:21). For two years of suppressed rage and growing hatred (13:22), Absalom plotted revenge. Then he murdered Amnon and fled to his grandfather, King Talmai of Geshur (13:23-39).

After three years, Joab convinced David to bring Absalom back, but David neither punished him nor was reconciled to him. Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years with privilege and unresolved alienation. Then he insisted on seeing the king. The two met and made at least a show of reconciliation (14:28-33). But for Absalom, the meeting might have been a maneuver toward the throne. Afterward, he put on a public-relations campaign to undermine the people’s confidence in David (15:1-6). Eventually, Absalom’s underhanded tactics bore the fruit he had hoped for: He launched a coup and gathered supporters in Hebron from all over Israel. By the time news of Absalom’s conspiracy reached David, the king was unable to do anything but flee Jerusalem (15:13-37; see Ps 3).

When Absalom arrived in Jerusalem, David’s wisest adviser, Ahithophel, joined Absalom’s side and advised him to attack quickly while David was weak. But Hushai, David’s secret agent, advised him to gather more troops and attack with overwhelming force. This advice appealed to Absalom’s ego, but it was fatally wrong—as both advisers knew—to give such experienced warriors as David and his mighty men time to gather their strength, develop reconnaissance, and devise a strategy. By the time Absalom led his forces across the Jordan River to do battle in the forest of Ephraim, David and his loyal forces were well rested and under the supremely capable leadership of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai from Gath. David’s men outmaneuvered Absalom’s superior forces and routed them. Absalom himself fled on a mule, but his long hair got caught in the branches of a tree. Joab and his men came upon Absalom dangling helplessly and killed him, despite David’s command that they show him mercy (18:1-18).

Absalom’s death stunned David; his grief nearly alienated those who had risked their lives to end Absalom’s treasonous uprising against his kingdom (18:33–19:8). For Absalom’s part, he had good reasons to be unsatisfied with David’s rule. But rather than following his father’s example of trusting in the Lord and honoring the anointed king (1 Sam 24:5-11; 26:5-24), Absalom instigated a rebellion that resulted in his own death.

Passages for Further Study

2 Sam 3:3; 2 Sam 13:1–19:10; 1 Kgs 2:7; 15:2, 10; 1 Chr 3:2; Ps 3:1