Absalom

Absalom's meal in a painting by Niccolò De Simone around 1650.

Absalom ( Hebrew אַבְשָׁלוֹם, also Absalom , Abischalom ) was one of the younger sons of King David and a half-brother of Solomon . His lifetime is around the year 1000 BC. Dated.

Name and origin

The Hebrew name אַבְשָׁלוֹם ('avšālôm) means "The father (that is: God) is salvation" or "šālôm is father". According to biblical tradition (see 2 Sam 3,3 EU and 1 Chr 3,2 EU ) Absalom was the third son of King David. The mother Maacha was a daughter of Talmais, king of the Aramaic principality of Geschur ( 2 Sam 3,3 EU ).

Revolt of Absalom

Although he was very much loved by his father, he tries to overthrow him. The circumstances are described in biblical narratives from 2 Sam 15-18 EU :

Absalom's half-brother Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar ( 2 Sam 13.1–22 EU ). However, David did nothing but expel Amnon from court in Jerusalem . Absalom took revenge by killing Amnon ( 2 Sam 13.23–33 EU ); then he fled from David ( 2 Sam 13.34–37 EU ). Only after about five years did he dare to appear before his father again ( 2 Sam 13.38–39 EU ). His intention was to take control himself. Because he had come to believe that David was a weak king, but that Israel needed strong leadership. With the help of his advisor Ahitofel he was able to win friends among the foot soldiers and elders and mobilize a small army on the other side of the Jordan ( 2 Sam 15.1–12 EU ). David had to flee from Jerusalem ( 2 Sam 15 : 13–37 EU ).

Through informers, including the young priest Huschai , David managed to lure Absalom out of the city. There was a battle in the forest of Ephraim ( 2 Sam 18.6 EU ). While fleeing from his father's soldiers, Absalom got stuck in the crown of a tree with his long hair - the hallmark that connects the biblical story with him ( 2 Sam 18.9 EU ). Joab , the captain of David, had nothing else to do but kill him: "Then Joab took three skewers in his hand and thrust them into Absalom's heart, since he was still alive by the oak." ( 2 Sam 18,14 EU ). He did this even though David had asked his soldiers before the fight to spare Absalom ( 2 Sam 18.5 EU ).

The news of the death of Absalom is brought to David in a sensitive way by a Cushite :

“ ³² The king asked the Cushite: Is the boy, Absalom, all right? The Cushite replied, `` Like the young man, may it be with all the enemies of my lord the king, all who have turned against you with evil intent.
^19.1 Then the king winced, went up into the upper room of the gate and wept (“David's lamentation”). As he went up, he called (again and again): My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died in your place, Absalom, my son, my son! ² They told Joab [his general]: The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom. ³ So the day of salvation became a day of mourning for all the people; for the people heard that day: The king is in pain because of his son. "

- 2nd Samuel 18.32 EU - 19.3 EU

The ambivalence in the biblical presentation

The biblical account is striking because of the complexity with which the person and character of Absalom are portrayed. From the starting point of the conflict, taking sides with Tamar, a positive light falls on him. This is countered by the unmistakably negative assessment with which the execution of the plan of revenge is reported.

Other features of his nature are condemned by the biblical narrator; he appears violent, reckless and devious. The uprising motive itself is also not approved (see 2 Sam 13.23 EU ; 13.32 EU ; 15.5 EU ).

Against this, there is how resolutely the story emphasizes that Absalom is the victim of a fraud. The text-critical assessment of section 2 Sam 17.5–14 EU is, however, controversial (it may be a subsequent addition). The final point is the detailed "Lamentation of David" for his son ( 2 Sam 19 EU ). Joab had already rejected a fellow campaigner who wanted to bring the message back with the words: “You are not bringing good news today. You shall bring the message another day, and not today; for the king's son is dead ”( 2 Sam 18.20 EU );

Individual evidence

↑ Alexander Achilles Fischer: David - 1. Basic information. In: Michaela Bauks, Klaus Koenen, Stefan Alkier (eds.): The scientific biblical dictionary on the Internet (WiBiLex), Stuttgart 2006 ff., Accessed on August 5, 2018.
^ Stefan Seiler: Absalom - 1st name. In: Michaela Bauks, Klaus Koenen, Stefan Alkier (eds.): The scientific biblical dictionary on the Internet (WiBiLex), Stuttgart 2006 ff., Accessed on August 5, 2018.
↑ ^a ^b Stefan Seiler: Absalom - 2.2. Tendency to represent Absalom. In: Michaela Bauks, Klaus Koenen, Stefan Alkier (eds.): The scientific biblical dictionary on the Internet (WiBiLex), Stuttgart 2006 ff., Accessed on August 5, 2018.

Literature and Sources

Stefan Seiler: Absalom. In: Michaela Bauks, Klaus Koenen, Stefan Alkier (eds.): The scientific biblical dictionary on the Internet (WiBiLex), Stuttgart 2006 ff., Accessed on September 8, 2007.

Web links

Commons : Abschalom - collection of images, videos and audio files

personal data
SURNAME	Absalom
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Absalom; Abischalom
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Son of david
DATE OF BIRTH	11th century BC BC or 10th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH	11th century BC BC or 10th century BC Chr.

[1] Alexander Achilles Fischer: David - 1. Basic information. In: Michaela Bauks, Klaus Koenen, Stefan Alkier (eds.): The scientific biblical dictionary on the Internet (WiBiLex), Stuttgart 2006 ff., Accessed on August 5, 2018.

[2] Stefan Seiler: Absalom - 1st name. In: Michaela Bauks, Klaus Koenen, Stefan Alkier (eds.): The scientific biblical dictionary on the Internet (WiBiLex), Stuttgart 2006 ff., Accessed on August 5, 2018.

[tendenz-3] Stefan Seiler: Absalom - 2.2. Tendency to represent Absalom. In: Michaela Bauks, Klaus Koenen, Stefan Alkier (eds.): The scientific biblical dictionary on the Internet (WiBiLex), Stuttgart 2006 ff., Accessed on August 5, 2018.