Absalom Summary
STEPBible TIPNR
Absalom was David's third son who led a revolt against his father's reign.
third-born son of King David (2SA 3:3)
Lineage: God › Adam › Seth › Enos › Cainan › Mahalaleel › Jared › Enoch › Methuselah › Lamech › Noah › Shem › Arphaxad › Cainan › Salah › Eber › Peleg › Reu › Serug › Nahor › Terah › Abraham › Isaac › Jacob › Judah › Pharez › Hezron › Ram › Amminadab › Nahshon › Salmon › Boaz › Obed › Jesse › David › Absalom
Names
-
en
Absalom
father of peace
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en
Abishalom
· Also called father of peace
-
en
Absalom
· Also called · H53 none · 2SA 3:3 father is peace
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he
אַבְשָׁלוֹם
avəsalom · H53 · 2SA 3:3 father is peace
- he אַבְשָׁלוֹם · H0053
- he אֲבִישָׁלוֹם · H0053
- el Αβεσσαλωμ Abessalōm · none · 2SA 3:3
- bg Авесалом
Birth
Death
Mentioned in (93)
2 Sam 3:3
2 Sam 13:1
2 Sam 13:4
2 Sam 13:20
2 Sam 13:22
2 Sam 13:23
2 Sam 13:24
2 Sam 13:25
2 Sam 13:26
2 Sam 13:27
2 Sam 13:28
2 Sam 13:29
2 Sam 13:30
2 Sam 13:32
2 Sam 13:34
2 Sam 13:37
2 Sam 13:38
2 Sam 13:39
2 Sam 14:1
2 Sam 14:21
2 Sam 14:23
2 Sam 14:24
2 Sam 14:25
2 Sam 14:27
2 Sam 14:28
2 Sam 14:29
2 Sam 14:30
2 Sam 14:31
2 Sam 14:32
2 Sam 14:33
2 Sam 15:1
2 Sam 15:2
2 Sam 15:3
2 Sam 15:4
2 Sam 15:6
2 Sam 15:7
2 Sam 15:10
2 Sam 15:11
2 Sam 15:12
2 Sam 15:13
2 Sam 15:14
2 Sam 15:31
2 Sam 15:34
2 Sam 15:37
2 Sam 16:8
2 Sam 16:15
2 Sam 16:16
2 Sam 16:17
2 Sam 16:18
2 Sam 16:20
2 Sam 16:21
2 Sam 16:22
2 Sam 16:23
2 Sam 17:1
2 Sam 17:4
2 Sam 17:5
2 Sam 17:6
2 Sam 17:7
2 Sam 17:9
2 Sam 17:14
2 Sam 17:15
2 Sam 17:18
2 Sam 17:20
2 Sam 17:24
2 Sam 17:25
2 Sam 17:26
2 Sam 18:5
2 Sam 18:9
2 Sam 18:10
2 Sam 18:12
2 Sam 18:14
2 Sam 18:15
2 Sam 18:17
2 Sam 18:18
2 Sam 18:29
2 Sam 18:32
2 Sam 18:33
2 Sam 19:1
2 Sam 19:4
2 Sam 19:6
2 Sam 19:9
2 Sam 19:10
2 Sam 20:6
1 Kgs 1:6
1 Kgs 2:7
1 Kgs 2:28
1 Kgs 15:2
1 Kgs 15:10
1 Chr 3:2
2 Chr 11:20
2 Chr 11:21
Ps 3:0
Ps 3:1
SDA Books
Awaiting permission to publishLinked through an explicitly cited Bible passage
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Age · ≈ 24
Chronological estimate · Estimate from the BibleData chronology. The age is not stated directly; see the source assumptions.
2978 − 2954 (AH) = 24
Source calculation and assumptions
The year of Absalom_1's birth is the year his older brother, Chileab_1, was born (2953) + 1 year (hypothesis) = 2954
The year of Absalom_1's death (2978) is the year he rebelled against his father = 2978
Dates and sources (9)
Absolute years are conditional chronological estimates. A biblical passage may state an age or event, but does not by itself establish a BCE year. Different calendar systems are preserved separately.
-
Birth BibleData Matches the current date; this is not historical verificationAH with conditional Ussher anchor:
2954→ ≈ 1051 BCSource record and calculation
Birth_Absalom_1·event_year_ahbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 229The year of Absalom_1's birth is the year his older brother, Chileab_1, was born (2953) + 1 year (hypothesis) = 2954*HYPOTHESIS: Absalom was born one year after ChileabSHA-256:75604be1204c8d21038e900963ac9361cab116af407d0b5d89f8e64ecd1311e9 -
Birth BibleData Matches the current date; this is not historical verificationAH with conditional Ussher anchor:
2954→ ≈ 1051 BCSource record and calculation
Life_of_Absalom_1·start_year_ahbibledata/BibleData-Epoch.csv· record 78The year of Absalom_1's birth is the year his older brother, Chileab_1, was born (2953) + 1 year (hypothesis) = 2954SHA-256:8c03ea78bc2c1467fd0ba4d65803831016acf91f8e67a147c1dcb184792ea7e8 -
Birth BibleData Alternative estimateBibleData BCE year:
1008→ ≈ 1008 BCSource record and calculation
Birth_Absalom_1·bce_yearbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 229The year of Absalom_1's birth is the year his older brother, Chileab_1, was born (2953) + 1 year (hypothesis) = 2954*HYPOTHESIS: Absalom was born one year after ChileabSHA-256:75604be1204c8d21038e900963ac9361cab116af407d0b5d89f8e64ecd1311e9 -
Death BibleData Alternative estimateBibleData BCE year:
984→ ≈ 984 BCSource record and calculation
Death_Absalom_1·bce_yearbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 254The year of Absalom_1's death (2978) is the year he rebelled against his father = 2978[Ussher date p62]SHA-256:27a350590d2a854cf641cf64e1ac5930c75bb4b5b3d269a882cd41717d3e109d -
Death BibleData Alternative estimateAH with conditional Ussher anchor:
2978→ ≈ 1027 BCSource record and calculation
Death_Absalom_1·event_year_ahbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 254The year of Absalom_1's death (2978) is the year he rebelled against his father = 2978[Ussher date p62]SHA-256:27a350590d2a854cf641cf64e1ac5930c75bb4b5b3d269a882cd41717d3e109d -
Death BibleData Unverified estimate without an established conversionUssher AM:
2981· No established conversion to a BCE/CE year.Source record and calculation
Death_Absalom_1·ussher_am_yearbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 254The year of Absalom_1's death (2978) is the year he rebelled against his father = 2978[Ussher date p62]SHA-256:27a350590d2a854cf641cf64e1ac5930c75bb4b5b3d269a882cd41717d3e109d -
Death BibleData Alternative estimateUssher BCE year:
1023→ ≈ 1023 BCSource record and calculation
Death_Absalom_1·ussher_bce_yearbibledata/BibleData-Event.csv· record 254The year of Absalom_1's death (2978) is the year he rebelled against his father = 2978[Ussher date p62]SHA-256:27a350590d2a854cf641cf64e1ac5930c75bb4b5b3d269a882cd41717d3e109d -
Death BibleData Alternative estimateAH with conditional Ussher anchor:
2978→ ≈ 1027 BCSource record and calculation
Life_of_Absalom_1·end_year_ahbibledata/BibleData-Epoch.csv· record 78The year of Absalom_1's death (2978) is the year he rebelled against his father = 2978SHA-256:8c03ea78bc2c1467fd0ba4d65803831016acf91f8e67a147c1dcb184792ea7e8 -
Death Theographic Alternative estimateTheographic signed year:
-976· Calendar interpretation is unverified; the raw value is shown.Person mentions; these are not evidence for this date: 91
2Sam.3.32Sam.13.12Sam.13.42Sam.13.202Sam.13.222Sam.13.232Sam.13.242Sam.13.252Sam.13.262Sam.13.272Sam.13.282Sam.13.292Sam.13.302Sam.13.322Sam.13.342Sam.13.372Sam.13.382Sam.13.392Sam.14.12Sam.14.212Sam.14.232Sam.14.242Sam.14.252Sam.14.272Sam.14.282Sam.14.292Sam.14.302Sam.14.312Sam.14.322Sam.14.332Sam.15.12Sam.15.22Sam.15.32Sam.15.42Sam.15.62Sam.15.72Sam.15.102Sam.15.112Sam.15.122Sam.15.132Sam.15.142Sam.15.312Sam.15.342Sam.15.372Sam.16.82Sam.16.152Sam.16.162Sam.16.172Sam.16.182Sam.16.202Sam.16.212Sam.16.222Sam.16.232Sam.17.12Sam.17.42Sam.17.52Sam.17.62Sam.17.72Sam.17.92Sam.17.142Sam.17.152Sam.17.182Sam.17.202Sam.17.242Sam.17.252Sam.17.262Sam.18.52Sam.18.92Sam.18.102Sam.18.122Sam.18.142Sam.18.152Sam.18.172Sam.18.182Sam.18.292Sam.18.322Sam.18.332Sam.19.12Sam.19.42Sam.19.62Sam.19.92Sam.19.102Sam.20.61Kgs.1.61Kgs.2.71Kgs.2.281Kgs.15.21Kgs.15.101Chr.3.22Chr.11.202Chr.11.21The selected death is after the death of the king explicitly alive at that event. Remove the incompatible selection or choose one consistently labelled chronology.
2SA 18:152SA 18:33Source record and calculation
absalom_59·deathYeartheographic/People.csv· record 60SHA-256:7b412fe6018ff44a7ec84e9e41e5401b00fbfc45d3390fac987105a428b361b4
Family of origin
- Father: David (≈ 70)
- Mother: Maacah
- Half-brother: Amnon (≈ 18)
- Half-brother: Daniel
- Sister: Tamar
- Half-brother: Shephatiah
- Half-brother: Adonijah
- Half-brother: Ithream
- Half-brother: Solomon (≈ 60)
- Half-brother: Nathan
- Half-brother: Shammua
- Half-brother: Eliphalet
- Half-brother: Elpalet
- Half-brother: Elishua
- Half-brother: Eliada
- Half-brother: Ibhar
- Half-brother: Jerimoth
- Half-brother: Japhia
- Half-brother: Elishama
- Half-brother: Nepheg
- Half-brother: Nogah
- Half-brother: Shobab
One-parent family
- Daughter: Tamar
Took part in (3)
- Absalom fled to Geshur · c. 1030 BC
- Absalom is brought back from Geshur · c. 1027 BC
- Absalom's rebellion against King David* · c. 1023 BC
Belonged to (2)
Was born in (1)
Was killed by (1)
Absalom Article
STEPBible TIPNR
Absalom was the third son of King David, born to Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2Sa. 3:3). He was known for his handsome appearance and long hair (2Sa. 14:25-26). After the rape of his sister Tamar by Amnon, David's firstborn son, Absalom plotted revenge and had Amnon murdered (2Sa. 13). He then fled to Geshur for three years before Joab, David's general, arranged for his return (2Sa. 14).
Later, Absalom launched a rebellion against David, proclaiming himself king in Hebron (2Sa. 15). David was forced to flee from Jerusalem, and Absalom took advice to pursue him with his forces (2Sa. 16-17). However, David's men defeated Absalom's army, and Absalom himself was killed by Joab against David's wishes (2Sa. 18). David deeply mourned Absalom's death (2Sa. 19:1-4).
Absalom had erected a pillar to preserve his name, since he had no son to carry on his lineage (2Sa. 18:18). He was survived by his daughter Maacah, who later became a wife of Rehoboam and mother of Abijah (1Ki. 15:2; 2Ch. 11:20-21).
Absalom Dictionary
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Father of peace; i.e., “peaceful” David’s son by Maacah (2 Sam. 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 Sam. 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 Sam. 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 Sam. 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 Sam. 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 Sam. 18:33. Comp. Ex. 32:32; Rom. 9:3).
Absalom’s three sons (2 Sam. 14:27; comp. 18:18) had all died before him, so that he left only a daughter, Tamar, who became the grandmother of Abijah.
Sources: BibleData (CC BY 4.0, Absalom_1) · STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0, Absalom@2Sa.3.3-Psa) · Theographic Bible Metadata (CC BY-SA 4.0, absalom_59)