- Absalom
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/ab"seuh leuhm/, n.1. the third and favorite son of David, who rebelled against his father and was slain by Joab. II Sam. 13-18.2. a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning "father of peace."
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flourished с 1020 BC, PalestineIn ancient Israel, the third and most beloved son of David.His story is told in 2 Samuel 13–19. An attractive but lawless man, he killed his half brother Amnon as revenge for the latter's rape of Tamar, Absalom's sister, and was banished from the kingdom for a time. He later raised a rebellion against his father, capturing Jerusalem but meeting defeat in the forest of Ephraim, where he was killed by his cousin Joab, who found him caught by the hair in an oak tree. Despite Absalom's treachery, David greatly lamented his son's death.* * *
▪ biblical figureflourished c. 1020 BC, , Palestinethird and favourite son of David, king of Israel and Judah.The picture of Absalom that is presented in 2 Samuel 13–19 suggests that he was the Alcibiades of the Old Testament, alike in his personal attractiveness, his lawless insolence, and his tragic fate. He is first mentioned as murdering his half brother Amnon, David's eldest son, in revenge for the rape of his full sister Tamar. For this he was driven into banishment, but he was eventually restored to favour through the good offices of his cousin Joab. Later, when some uncertainty seems to have arisen as to the succession, Absalom organized a revolt. For a time he seemed completely successful; David, with a few followers and his personal guard, fled across the Jordan, leaving to Absalom Jerusalem and the main portion of the kingdom. The usurper pursued the fugitives with his forces but was completely defeated in “the forest of Ephraim” (apparently west of Jordan) and killed by Joab, who found him caught by the hair in an oak tree. To the affectionate, chivalrous heart of David, the loss of his son, worthless and treacherous as he was, brought grief that more than outweighed his own safety and restoration.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
