Thematic Bible: Absalom


Thematic Bible



And unto Absalom there were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar, who was a beautiful woman to behold. Verse ConceptsThree ChildrenWomen's BeautyBeautiful Women

Now Absalom, while he was alive, had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's valley; 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 place. Verse ConceptsPillarsWorldly Ambition ExamplesMonumentsPeople Naming Things

He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. Verse ConceptsThree YearsMothers Of Kings

And after her he took Maachah, the daughter of Absalom, who bore him Abijah and Attai and Ziza and Shelomith. Verse ConceptsThirtyThree Hundred And Above

And the word came to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. Then David said unto all his slaves that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee, for we shall not otherwise escape from Absalom; make speed to depart lest he overtake us suddenly and bring evil upon us and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

Then the king was much moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept; and as he went, he said this: O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! I would rather have died instead of thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! Verse ConceptsDavid, Character OfCryingChildren, needs ofDespondency, Causes OfBereavement, Experience OfIntimacyLonelinessMourningRegretStairwaysSuffering, Emotional Aspects OfWeepingChildren, Parents LoveDuplicating WordsDesire For DeathUpper RoomsMourning The Death Of OthersLove For Children

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom. And that day the salvation was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard it said that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people entered by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. read more.
But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! And Joab entering into the house of the king, said unto him, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy slaves, who this day have saved thy life and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters and the lives of thy wives and the lives of thy concubines, by loving those who hate thee and hating thy friends. For thou hast declared this day that thou dost not regard thy princes nor thy slaves. For this day I perceive that if Absalom had lived and we had all died today, then this would be right in thine eyes. Now, therefore, arise, go forth and speak unto the heart of thy slaves, for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, not one of them will abide with thee tonight and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that has come upon thee from thy youth until now. Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And it was declared unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king sits in the gate. And all the people came before the king, but Israel had fled every man to his tent.

and his second, Chileab, of Abigail who had been the wife of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom, the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; Verse ConceptsActual WidowsDavid's Wives

the third, Absalom, the son of Maachah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah, the son of Haggith;

And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and when anyone that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto them and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy slave is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom would say unto them, See, thy matters are good and just; but there is no one delegated by the king to hear thee.

And in all Israel there was no one to be so greatly praised as Absalom for his beauty; from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. Verse ConceptsCommendationBlemishHeadsPrejudiceBeauty, In MenPeople Made PerfectTypes Of FeetWomen's BeautyHandsome Men

And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and they all got upon their mules and fled. Verse ConceptsMulesBackAnimals, Types OfRiding Mules

But Absalom fled and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. Verse ConceptsMourning In Regret

And Absalom met the slaves of David. And Absalom rode upon 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. Verse ConceptsMulesBackCovering HeadsRiding MulesHairdreadlocks

And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and when anyone that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto them and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy slave is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom would say unto them, See, thy matters are good and just; but there is no one delegated by the king to hear thee. And Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that everyone who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! read more.
And it was so, that when anyone came near unto him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him. And Absalom did according to this manner with all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of those of Israel.

And the word came to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. Verse ConceptsMessengerNews

and his second, Chileab, of Abigail who had been the wife of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom, the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; Verse ConceptsActual WidowsDavid's Wives

But Absalom fled and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. So after Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he was there three years.

And Absalom spoke neither good nor bad unto his brother Amnon, for Absalom hated Amnon because he had forced his sister Tamar. 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. And Absalom came to the king and said, Behold now, thy slave has sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his slaves go with thy slave. read more.
And the king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go lest we be burdensome unto thee. And he pressed him; however, he would not go but blessed him. Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? But because Absalom pressed him, he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 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 I not commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant. And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and they all got upon their mules and fled.

Now Joab, the son of Zeruiah, perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom. And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought an astute woman from there and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner and put on mourning apparel and do not anoint thyself with oil, but be as a woman that has mourned for a long time for someone who is dead and come to the king and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth. read more.
And when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and did obeisance and said, Save me, O king. And the king said unto her, What ails thee? And she answered, I am a widow woman, and my husband is dead. And thy handmaid had two sons, and the two strove together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one smote the other and slew him. And, behold, the whole family is risen against thy handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he slew, and we will destroy the heir also. So they shall quench my coal which is left and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. And the king said unto the woman, Go to thy house, and I will give a command concerning thee. And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me and on my father's house; and the king and his throne be guiltless. And the king said, Whoever speaks against thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more. Then she said, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou will not allow the avengers of blood to increase the damage by destroying my son. And he said, As the LORD lives, not one hair of thy son shall fall to the earth. Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on. And the woman said, Why then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? For the king speaks this word as one who is guilty in that the king does not bring home again his banished. For it is certain that we die and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither does God respect any person; yet he does devise means that his outcasts not be expelled from him. Now, therefore, that I have come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. But thy handmaid said to herself, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the word of his handmaid. For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. Then thy handmaid said, Let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and evil; and let the LORD thy God be with thee. Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, By the life of thy soul, my lord the king, I can not turn to the right hand or to the left from all that my lord the king has spoken; for thy slave Joab, he commanded me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thy handmaid; to bring about this form of speech thy slave Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know that which is done in the earth. Then the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing; go, therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. And Joab fell to the ground on his face and worshipped and blessed the king, and Joab said, Today thy slave knows that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the word of his slave. So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. But the king said, Let him go to his own house and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and did not see the king's face.

And Absalom met the slaves of David. And Absalom rode upon 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. And a certain man saw it and told Joab, saying, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab replied unto the man that told him, Behold, when thou didst see him, why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? I would have given thee ten shekels of silver and a girdle. read more.
And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, yet I would not put forth my hand against the king's son, for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise, I should have wrought falsehood against my own soul (for there is no matter hid from the king), and thou thyself would have set thyself against me. Then Joab answered, I may not tarry thus with thee. And taking three darts in his hand, he thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bore Joab's armour surrounded and smote Absalom and slew him. Then Joab blew the shofar, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel, for Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest and laid a very great heap of stones upon him; and all Israel fled each one to his tent.

And the king went forth and all the people after him and stopped in a place that was far off. Verse ConceptsWeights And Measures, DistancesCessationStopping Still

And in all Israel there was no one to be so greatly praised as Absalom for his beauty; from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. Verse ConceptsCommendationBlemishHeadsPrejudiceBeauty, In MenPeople Made PerfectTypes Of FeetWomen's BeautyHandsome Men

Now Absalom, while he was alive, had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's valley; 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 place. Verse ConceptsPillarsWorldly Ambition ExamplesMonumentsPeople Naming Things

So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house, and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Verse ConceptsImmorality, Examples Of SexualRoofTentsRooftopSeeing People

And it came to pass after this that Absalom prepared himself chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and when anyone that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto them and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy slave is of one of the tribes of Israel.

And Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that everyone who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! Verse ConceptsJudgesWorldly Ambition ExamplesMan Appointing

Now Absalom, while he was alive, had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's valley; 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 place. Verse ConceptsPillarsWorldly Ambition ExamplesMonumentsPeople Naming Things

And it came to pass after this that Absalom prepared himself chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and when anyone that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto them and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy slave is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom would say unto them, See, thy matters are good and just; but there is no one delegated by the king to hear thee. read more.
And Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that everyone who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when anyone came near unto him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him. And Absalom did according to this manner with all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of those of Israel. And at the end of a predetermined period of forty years, it came to pass that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go to Hebron and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD. For thy slave vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the shofar, then ye shall say, Absalom reigns in Hebron. And two hundred men of Jerusalem went with Absalom, that were invited by him, and they went in their integrity, without knowing anything. Absalom also sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, of David's counsel, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom. And the word came to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

And in all Israel there was no one to be so greatly praised as Absalom for his beauty; from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. Verse ConceptsCommendationBlemishHeadsPrejudiceBeauty, In MenPeople Made PerfectTypes Of FeetWomen's BeautyHandsome Men

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the shofar, then ye shall say, Absalom reigns in Hebron. And two hundred men of Jerusalem went with Absalom, that were invited by him, and they went in their integrity, without knowing anything. Absalom also sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, of David's counsel, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom. read more.
And the word came to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

And at the end of a predetermined period of forty years, it came to pass that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go to Hebron and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD. For thy slave vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and when anyone that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto them and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy slave is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom would say unto them, See, thy matters are good and just; but there is no one delegated by the king to hear thee. And Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that everyone who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! read more.
And it was so, that when anyone came near unto him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him. And Absalom did according to this manner with all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of those of Israel.

So the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim, where the people of Israel were slain before the slaves of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men. For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the land, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. read more.
And Absalom met the slaves of David. And Absalom rode upon 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. And a certain man saw it and told Joab, saying, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab replied unto the man that told him, Behold, when thou didst see him, why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? I would have given thee ten shekels of silver and a girdle. And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, yet I would not put forth my hand against the king's son, for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise, I should have wrought falsehood against my own soul (for there is no matter hid from the king), and thou thyself would have set thyself against me. Then Joab answered, I may not tarry thus with thee. And taking three darts in his hand, he thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bore Joab's armour surrounded and smote Absalom and slew him. Then Joab blew the shofar, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel, for Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest and laid a very great heap of stones upon him; and all Israel fled each one to his tent.

And the woman said, Why then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? For the king speaks this word as one who is guilty in that the king does not bring home again his banished. For it is certain that we die and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither does God respect any person; yet he does devise means that his outcasts not be expelled from him.

But the king said, Let him go to his own house and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and did not see the king's face. Verse ConceptsNo Dealings

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 I not commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant. And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and they all got upon their mules and fled.

But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there came many people by the way of the side of the mountain behind him. And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come; as thy slave said, so it is. And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his slaves wept very sore. read more.
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. So after Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he was there three years.

And Absalom met the slaves of David. And Absalom rode upon 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. Verse ConceptsMulesBackCovering HeadsRiding MulesHairdreadlocks

And Absalom spoke neither good nor bad unto his brother Amnon, for Absalom hated Amnon because he had forced his sister Tamar. 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. And Absalom came to the king and said, Behold now, thy slave has sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his slaves go with thy slave. read more.
And the king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go lest we be burdensome unto thee. And he pressed him; however, he would not go but blessed him. Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? But because Absalom pressed him, he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 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 I not commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant. And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and they all got upon their mules and fled.

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father; then the hands of all that are with thee shall be strong. So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house, and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and when anyone that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto them and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy slave is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom would say unto them, See, thy matters are good and just; but there is no one delegated by the king to hear thee. And Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that everyone who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! read more.
And it was so, that when anyone came near unto him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him. And Absalom did according to this manner with all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of those of Israel.

And the word came to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. Verse ConceptsMessengerNews

And it came to pass after this that Absalom prepared himself chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate; and when anyone that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto them and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy slave is of one of the tribes of Israel.

And Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that everyone who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! Verse ConceptsJudgesWorldly Ambition ExamplesMan Appointing

And Absalom did according to this manner with all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of those of Israel.