Topical Bible: The Death of the Wicked: Absalom

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Introduction

Absalom, the third son of King David, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament known for his physical beauty, charisma, and tragic rebellion against his father. His life and death serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride, ambition, and rebellion against God's anointed.

Background

Absalom was born to King David and Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3). He is first introduced in the biblical narrative as a handsome and charming prince, noted for his striking appearance: "In all Israel, there was no man as highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot, there was no blemish in him" (2 Samuel 14:25).

Rebellion Against David

Absalom's account is marked by familial strife and personal ambition. After the rape of his sister Tamar by their half-brother Amnon, Absalom took justice into his own hands by orchestrating Amnon's murder (2 Samuel 13:28-29). This act of vengeance set the stage for his estrangement from David and his eventual rebellion.

Absalom's rebellion was characterized by cunning and deceit. He won the hearts of the people of Israel by presenting himself as a more accessible and just alternative to his father, King David. "Absalom acted this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. So he stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Samuel 15:6). His rebellion culminated in a full-scale insurrection, forcing David to flee Jerusalem.

The Death of Absalom

The conflict between Absalom and David reached its climax in the forest of Ephraim, where Absalom's forces were defeated by David's loyal troops. During the battle, Absalom's fate was sealed in a dramatic and symbolic manner. As he rode his mule under the thick branches of a large oak tree, his hair became entangled in the branches, leaving him hanging in mid-air. "As Absalom was riding his mule, it went under the thick branches of a large oak tree, and his head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, and he was left hanging in midair" (2 Samuel 18:9).

Despite David's explicit instructions to deal gently with Absalom, Joab, the commander of David's army, took matters into his own hands. He thrust three javelins into Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the oak tree (2 Samuel 18:14). Absalom's death marked the end of the rebellion but also brought profound grief to David, who mourned deeply for his son: "The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. As he walked, he cried out, 'O my son Absalom, O my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!'" (2 Samuel 18:33).

Theological Implications

Absalom's death serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin and rebellion. His life illustrates the biblical principle that pride and ambition, when unchecked, lead to downfall and destruction. Absalom's rebellion against his father, the anointed king, is seen as a rebellion against God's established order, highlighting the importance of submission to divine authority.

Furthermore, Absalom's tragic end underscores the consequences of failing to heed wise counsel and the dangers of allowing personal grievances to fester into rebellion. His account is a testament to the biblical truth that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).

Legacy

Absalom's legacy is one of beauty marred by ambition and rebellion. His life and death are a poignant reminder of the importance of humility, obedience, and the recognition of God's sovereignty. Despite his tragic end, Absalom's account continues to serve as a powerful lesson in the annals of biblical history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 18:9,10
And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode on a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Absalom Murdered Amnon, who had Forced his Own Sister; and How ...
... Now the second year after this wicked affair about his sister ... David had a design
to send to Absalom, not that ... that had slain his brother put to death, that so ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how absalom murdered.htm

How, when Absalom was Beaten, He was Caught in a Tree by his Hair ...
... concerned the victory, but not concerning the death of Absalom ... who have been justly
slain; for had Absalom gotten the ... thine own son hath proved so wicked to thee ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how when absalom.htm

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... in solemn prayer that all the wicked did nothing but ... that Christ was delivered to
death by the ... Absalom incestuously defiling his father's bed, perpetrates a ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

The First Great Deception.
... His soul "longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted ... 953) While life is
the inheritance of the righteous, death is the portion of the wicked. ...
/.../33 the first great deception.htm

Listen, My Brethren, to Death, Mocking the Evil One: that Caused ...
... who overcame anger which is, thy likeness, Death: to his ... waters of the sea choked,
the senses of the wicked! ... for by thee they hanged Absalom, upon a tree."19 ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lvii listen my brethren.htm

The First Great Deception
... His soul "longed to go forth unto Absalom; for he was comforted ... While life is the
inheritance of the righteous, death is the portion of the wicked. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 33 the first great.htm

Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from ... in darkness and in the shadow
of death when the ... have defiled her you change into an Absalom and desire ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxlvii to sabinianus.htm

Concerning the Insurrection of Absalom against David and ...
... he undertook much worse and more wicked enterprises; first ... in opposition to whom
he had acted entirely for Absalom. ... himself; and thus was the death of Ahithophel ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the insurrection.htm

David's Sorrow.
... the heart saw that the heart of Absalom was wicked and false. ... the ten young men who
were with him, killed Absalom, and they ... [Illustration: The death of Absalom ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv davids sorrow.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... meet with such methods of cruelty in putting men to death in all ... nought the dangerous
counsel of Ahithophel, and directly infatuated wicked Absalom to reject it ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm