Absalom
Absalom, Absalom! is also a novel by William Faulkner.Absalom is also a name given by John Dryden to the Duke of Monmouth, son of Charles II. See Absalom and Achitophel:"Absalom" is the name of a science fiction story by
Henry Kuttner anthologized in the collection
Tomorrow, the Stars.
Absalom is also fictional character created by Marvel Comics and a mutant member of the immortal Externals. |
The Hanging of Absalom - Weft-silk watercolor by Faith Robinson Trumbull (1718-1780) |
Absalom or
Avshalom (
אַבְשָׁלוֹם "Father/Leader of/is peace",
Standard Hebrew Avšalom,
Tiberian Hebrew ʾAḇšālôm), in the
Bible, is the third son of
David, king of
Israel. He was deemed the handsomest man in the kingdom.
His sister
Tamar had been raped by David's eldest son,
Amnon, who was in love with her. Absalom, after waiting two years, revenged by sending his servants to murder Amnon at a feast to which he had invited all the king's sons (2
Samuel 13):
"18.
And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.19.
And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
20.
And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house....
22.
And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.23.
And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.28.
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant."
After this deed he fled to Talmai, "king" of
Geshur (see Joshua 12:5 or 13:2), his maternal grandfather, and it was not until three years later that he was fully reinstated in his father's favour (see
Joab.)
Four years after this he raised a revolt at
Hebron, the former capital. Absalom was now the eldest surviving son of David, and the present position of the narratives (15-20)-may represent the view that the suspicion that he was not the destined heir of his father's throne excited the impulsive youth to rebellion.
All Israel and Judah flocked to his side, and David, attended only by the
Cherethites and
Pelethites and some recent recruits from Gath, found it expedient to flee. The priests remained behind in Jerusalem, and their sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz served as his spies. Absalom reached the capital and took counsel with the renowned
Ahithophel. The pursuit was continued and David took refuge beyond the
Jordan River. However, David took the precaution of instructing a servant,
Hushai, infilitrate Absalom's court and subvert it. To that end, Hushai convinces the prince to ignore Ahithophel's advice to attack his father while he's on the run and instead better prepare his forces for a major attack. This gave David critical time to prepare his own troops for the coming battle.
A battle was fought in the "wood of Ephraim" (the name suggests a locality west of the Jordan) and Absalom's army was completely routed. He himself, having long hair, was caught by his hair in the boughs of an oak-tree, and as David had strictly charged his men to deal gently with the young man, Joab was informed. What a common soldier refused to do even for a thousand shekels of silver, the king's general at once undertook. Joab thrust three spears through the heart of Absalom as he struggled in the branches and his ten armour-bearers came around and slew him. Despite the revolt, David was overwhelmed with
grief and ordered a great heap of stones to be erected where he fell, whilst another monument near
Jerusalem (not the modern "Absalom Tomb" - "
Yad Avshalom" which is of later origin was erected by Avshalom in his lifetime to perpetuate his name 2 Samuel 18:
"18.
Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a monument, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's monument."
The single verse, 2 Samuel 18 v33, regarding David's grief at the loss of his son, is the setting of several pieces of choral music, usually entitled
When David Heard although this does not appear in the actual scripture.
During the finale of the song "Distant Early Warning" by Canadian hard-rock band Rush, Geddy Lee sings, "Absalom Absalom Absalom"
