Meet Absalom, Rebellious Son of King David

Absalom, the third son of King David by his wife Maacah, seemed to have everything going for him, but like other tragic figures in the Bible, he attempted to take what was not his. Absalom's story is one of pride and greed, about a man who tried to overthrow the plan of God. Instead, his life ended in a violent downfall.

The Story of Absalom

The Bible says Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel: "He was flawless from head to foot." (2 Samuel 14:25, NLT) When he cut his hair once a year—only because it became too heavy—it weighed five pounds. It seemed everyone loved him.

Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar, who was a virgin. Another of David's sons, Amnon, was their half-brother. Amnon fell in love with Tamar, raped her, then rejected her in disgrace.

For two years Absalom kept silent, sheltering Tamar in his home. He had expected his father David to punish Amnon for his act. When David did nothing, Absalom’s rage and anger seethed into a vengeful plot.

One day Absalom invited all the king's sons to a sheep-shearing festival. When Amnon was celebrating, Absalom ordered his soldiers to kill him.

After the assassination, Absalom fled to Geshur, northeast of the Sea of Galilee, to the house of his grandfather. He hid there for three years. David missed his son deeply. The Bible says in 2 Samuel 13:37 that David "mourned for his son day after day." Finally, David allowed him to come back to Jerusalem.

Gradually, Absalom began to undermine King David, usurping his authority and speaking against him to the people. Under the pretense of honoring a vow, Absalom went to Hebron and began to gather an army. He sent messengers throughout the land, proclaiming his kingship.

When King David learned of the rebellion, he and his followers fled Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Absalom took advice from his counselors on the best way to defeat his father. Before the battle, David ordered his troops not to harm Absalom. The two armies clashed at Ephraim, in a large oak forest. Twenty thousand men fell that day. The army of David prevailed.

As Absalom was riding his mule under a tree, his hair got entangled in the branches. The mule ran off, leaving Absalom hanging in the air, helpless. Joab, one of David's generals, took three javelins and thrust them into Absalom's heart. Then ten of Joab's armor-bearers circled Absalom and killed him.

To his generals' surprise, David was heartbroken over the death of his son, the man who tried to kill him and steal his throne. He loved Absalom dearly. David's grief showed the depth of a father’s love over the loss of a son as well as regret for his own personal failures which led to many family and national tragedies.

These episodes raise disturbing questions. Did Absalom murder Amnon because David had failed to punish him? The Bible does not give specific answers, but when David was an old man, his son Adonijah rebelled in the same way Absalom had. Solomon had Adonijah killed and executed other traitors to make his own reign secure.

The name Absalom means “father of peace,” but this father did not live up to his name. He had one daughter and three sons, all of whom died at an early age (2 Samuel 14:27; 2 Samuel 18:18). 

Strengths

Absalom was charismatic and easily drew other people to him. He possessed some leadership qualities.

Weaknesses

He took justice into his own hands by murdering his half-brother Amnon. Then he followed unwise counsel, rebelled against his own father, and tried to steal David's kingdom.

Life Lessons

Absalom imitated his father's weaknesses instead of his strengths. He allowed selfishness to rule him, instead of God's law. When he tried to oppose God's plan and unseat the rightful king, destruction came upon him.

Key Bible Verses

2 Samuel 15:10 Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’” (NIV)

2 Samuel 18:33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” (NIV)