Lexical Definition

‎אֲבִישָׁלוֹם‎ ʼĂbîyshâlôwm (ab-ee-shaw-lome') Absalom ^N:N-M-P
or (shortened) אַבְשָׁלוֹם ʼAbshâlôwm (ab-shaw-lome') ; from ‎אָב‎ and ‎שָׁלוֹם‎; father of peace (i.e. friendly)

Abishalom, Absalom.

• § Absalom or Abishalom = "my father is peace"
• Abshalom, a son of David
• also (the fuller form) a later Israelite

1) father-in-law of Rehoboam
2) third son of David, killer of first-born son Amnon, also leader of revolt against his father-David

Extended Information

• A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.3
• son of: David (דָּוִד) and Maacah (מַעֲכָה)
• half-brother of: Amnon (אַמְנוֹן), Chileab (כִּלְאָב), Adonijah (אֲדֹנִיָּה), Shephatiah (שְׁפַטְיָה), Ithream (יִתְרְעָם), Shammua (שַׁמּוּעַ), Shobab (שׁוֹבָב), Nathan (נָתָן), Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה), Ibhar (יִבְחַר), Elishua (אֱלִישׁוּעַ), Nepheg (נֶפֶג), Japhia (יָפִיעַ), Elishama (אֱלִישָׁמָע), Eliada (אֶלְיָדָע), Eliphelet (אֱלִיפֶלֶט), Tamar (תָּמָר), Elpelet (אֱלִיפֶלֶט), Nogah (נֹגַהּ) and Jerimoth (יְרִימוֹת)
• father of: Tamar (תָּמָר); also called Abishalom at 1Ki.15.2, 10

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎אֲבִישָׁלוֺם‎ proper name, masculine (my father is peace; accusative to Lag^{BN 75} = ‎(בֶּן) אֲבֶן‎ + ‎שָׁלֹם‎, compare ᵐ5 Ἀβεσσαλωμ) — ‎׳‎‎א‎ 1Kgs 15:2; 1Kgs 15:10 = ‎אַבְשָׁלוֺם‎ 2Sam 3:3 +, 2Chr 11:20; 2Chr 11:21, ‎אַבְשָׁלֹם‎ 2Sam 13:14 + —

1. Rehoboam's father-in-law 1Kgs 15:2; 1Kgs 15:10; 2Chr 11:20; 2Chr 11:21.

2. 3rd son of David 2Sam 3:3; 2Sam 13:1 + 90 t. 2 Samuel (insert 2Sam 13:27 ᵐ5 Th We compare Dr; strike out v2Sam 13:38 Dr compare We), + 1Kgs 1:6; 1Kgs 2:7; 1Kgs 2:28; 1Chr 3:2; Ps 3:1*.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • David's son • David's rebellious son who tried to usurp the throne.

David's son living at the time of United Monarchy

Absalom was David's third son who led a revolt against his father's reign.

• David's son from the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.3;
• referred to as Absalom אֲבִישָׁלוֹם, or Abishalom אֲבִישָׁלוֹם;
• a son of David דָּוִד and Maacah מַעֲכָה;
• half-brother of: Amnon אַמְנוֹן, Chileab כִּלְאָב, Adonijah אֲדֹנִיָּה, Shephatiah שְׁפַטְיָה, Ithream יִתְרְעָם, Shammua שַׁמּוּעַ, Shobab שׁוֹבָב, Nathan נָתָן, Solomon שְׁלֹמֹה, Ibhar יִבְחַר, Elishua אֱלִישׁוּעַ, Nepheg נֶפֶג, Japhia יָפִיעַ, Elishama אֱלִישָׁמָע, Eliada אֶלְיָדָע, Eliphelet אֱלִיפֶלֶט, Tamar תָּמָר, Elpelet אֱלִיפֶלֶט, Nogah נֹגַהּ and Jerimoth יְרִימוֹת;
• father of Tamar תָּמָר.

Absalom was the third son of King David, born to Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2Sa. 3:3). He was known for his handsome appearance and long hair (2Sa. 14:25-26). After the rape of his sister Tamar by Amnon, David's firstborn son, Absalom plotted revenge and had Amnon murdered (2Sa. 13). He then fled to Geshur for three years before Joab, David's general, arranged for his return (2Sa. 14).

Later, Absalom launched a rebellion against David, proclaiming himself king in Hebron (2Sa. 15). David was forced to flee from Jerusalem, and Absalom took advice to pursue him with his forces (2Sa. 16-17). However, David's men defeated Absalom's army, and Absalom himself was killed by Joab against David's wishes (2Sa. 18). David deeply mourned Absalom's death (2Sa. 19:1-4).

Absalom had erected a pillar to preserve his name, since he had no son to carry on his lineage (2Sa. 18:18). He was survived by his daughter Maacah, who later became a wife of Rehoboam and mother of Abijah (1Ki. 15:2; 2Ch. 11:20-21).

All entries for Absalom or Abishalom: אֲבִישָׁלוֹם

Related Profiles:

• David (father)
• Maacah (mother)
• Amnon (sibling)
• Chileab (sibling)
• Adonijah (sibling)
• Shephatiah (sibling)
• Ithream (sibling)
• Shammua (sibling)
• Shobab (sibling)
• Nathan (sibling)
• Solomon (sibling)
• Ibhar (sibling)
• Elishua (sibling)
• Nepheg (sibling)
• Japhia (sibling)
• Elishama (sibling)
• Eliada (sibling)
• Eliphelet (sibling)
• Tamar (sibling)
• Elpelet (sibling)
• Nogah (sibling)
• Jerimoth (sibling)
• Tamar (child)