Absalom, David’s Rebellious Son

Absalom was David’s third son, greatly beloved by David. His life and deeds are detailed in 2 Samuel chapters 13 to 18. He is also a “famous figure” in the Bible, not renowned for building the Temple for the LORD like Solomon, but rather for being a rebellious son in David’s household!

He was handsome but lawless and headstrong. After his full sister Tamar was raped by Amnon, David’s eldest son (Absalom’s half-brother), Absalom plotted and killed Amnon. He then fled to his maternal grandfather, King Talmai of Geshur. After being pardoned by David and returning to Judah, he launched a rebellion against his father, occupied Jerusalem, and slept with his father’s concubines. However, in the battle to encircle King David, his army was utterly defeated in the forest of Ephraim (present-day western Jordan). His cousin Joab killed Absalom when his hair became entangled in an oak tree. Despite Absalom’s rebellion, David was deeply grieved by his death.

After David’s sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, the prophet Nathan delivered God’s prophecy to David: “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” And “Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun'” (2 Samuel 12:10-11). Absalom’s actions directly fulfilled the prophet’s prediction and were one of the bitter fruits David reaped from his sin. However, Absalom alone was responsible for the sins he committed, for God did not control Absalom, making him commit various scandalous acts that ruined his family’s reputation; those were his own evil deeds. God certainly does not make people sin to fulfill His prophecies. Anyone who sins chooses to do so and bears the consequences themselves.

1、Absalom, because Amnon had violated his sister Tamar, invited Amnon to Baal Hazor and killed him there (2 Samuel 13:23-29).

2、Absalom fled to Geshur, taking refuge with his maternal grandfather, King Talmai of Geshur, and stayed there for three years (2 Samuel 13:37-39).

3、Joab arranged for a woman from Tekoa to intercede for Absalom, and Absalom was permitted to return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:1-25).

4、Absalom went to Hebron and began his rebellion (2 Samuel 15:7-12).

5、David, hearing of Absalom’s rebellion, fled to Mahanaim (2 Samuel 15:13-17:24).

6、Absalom’s army also crossed the Jordan River and reached the forest of Ephraim (2 Samuel 17:24).

7、David’s army divided into three divisions and fought Absalom. Absalom’s forces were defeated, and he was killed (2 Samuel 18:1-16).