Absalom, the third son of King David, is a prominent figure in the narrative of the Old Testament, particularly in the books of 2 Samuel. His account is marked by familial conflict, ambition, and ultimately, tragedy. Absalom's exile is a significant event that underscores themes of justice, reconciliation, and the consequences of sin.

Background and Family Conflict

Absalom was born to David and Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3). He is described as exceptionally handsome, with a notable feature being his luxuriant hair (2 Samuel 14:25-26). The seeds of Absalom's exile were sown in the tragic events involving his sister Tamar and half-brother Amnon. Amnon, David's firstborn, violated Tamar, leading to Absalom's deep-seated hatred for Amnon.

The Murder of Amnon and Absalom's Exile

Two years after Tamar's violation, Absalom orchestrated the murder of Amnon during a feast at Baal Hazor, as a form of retribution (2 Samuel 13:23-29). Fearing the repercussions of his actions, Absalom fled to his maternal grandfather, Talmai, in Geshur, where he remained in exile for three years (2 Samuel 13:37-38).

David's Longing and Joab's Intervention

During Absalom's exile, King David mourned for his son Amnon but also longed for Absalom's return. Joab, David's military commander, perceived the king's heart and devised a plan to facilitate Absalom's return. He employed a wise woman from Tekoa to present a parable to David, which ultimately led to the king's decision to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:1-21).

Return to Jerusalem and Partial Reconciliation

Despite his return, Absalom was not immediately reconciled with David. For two years, he lived in Jerusalem without seeing his father's face (2 Samuel 14:28). Eventually, through Joab's mediation, Absalom was brought before David, who kissed him, signifying a form of reconciliation (2 Samuel 14:33).

Absalom's Ambition and Rebellion

Absalom's return to Jerusalem marked the beginning of his political maneuvering. He sought to win the hearts of the Israelites by presenting himself as a just and accessible leader (2 Samuel 15:1-6). His efforts culminated in a full-scale rebellion against David, forcing the king to flee Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:13-14).

The Downfall of Absalom

Absalom's rebellion ended in his defeat at the Battle of Ephraim's Wood. During the battle, Absalom's hair became entangled in the branches of a large oak tree, leaving him suspended. Joab, despite David's explicit instructions to deal gently with Absalom, killed him (2 Samuel 18:9-15). David's lament for Absalom is one of the most poignant expressions of grief in the Bible: "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33).

Theological and Moral Implications

Absalom's exile and subsequent actions highlight the complexities of justice, mercy, and the consequences of sin within a family and a nation. His account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness.2 Samuel 14:13,14,24
And the woman said, Why then have you thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king does speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king does not fetch home again his banished.
Nave's Topical Index

The Exile --Continued.
... VII."THE EXILE"CONTINUED. ... Shimei the Benjamite, whose foul tongue cursed him in rabid
rage, as he fled before Absalom, has also been thought of, but the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vii the exilecontinued.htm

Treats of the Insecurity of Life in this Exile, However High we ...
... TREATS OF THE INSECURITY OF LIFE IN THIS EXILE, HOWEVER HIGH WE MAY BE RAISED, AND
OF HOW WE ... Teresa wrote Solomon'; Father Gracian corrected Absalom,' and Fr. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i treats of the.htm

The Exile.
... appear to distinguish the psalms of this period from those of Absalom's revolt,
in ... destruction are too triumphant to suit that later time of exile, when the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iv the exile.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... commentators who admit its Davidic authorship, to belong to the time of Absalom's
rebellion ... but, as we have seen in the first of these songs of the exile, it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

Pardoned Sin Punished
... The pretext of the sacrifice at Hebron, in pursuance of a vow made by Absalom in
his exile, was meant to touch David's heart in two ways,"by appealing to his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/pardoned sin punished.htm

David and Nathan
... And from that came Absalom's murder of his brother, and from that Absalom's exile,
and from that Absalom's rebellion, and from that Absalom's death, which ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david and nathan.htm

Chastisements.
... He dares not punish Ammon; he can only weep when he hears of Absalom's crime. He
weakly longs for the return of the latter from his exile, but cannot nerve ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

Adonijah
... O Absalom, my son, my son!" Yet the very sin of Absalom which had been ... Napoleon,
the scourge and conqueror of Europe, died, a heart-broken exile, in St Helena. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

Introduction.
... and country to follow his fortunes when he returns from exile; and even in ... duties,
had weakened his subjects' loyalty, his flight before Absalom is brightened ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/i introduction.htm

Early Days
... up to his escape from the court of Saul, his exile, the prosperous beginning of
his reign, his sin and penitence, his flight before Absalom's rebellion, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ii early days.htm

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