Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 16

Everett's Study Notes on the Holy ScripturesEverett's Study Notes

Verses 1-23

Absalom Attempts to Take the Kingdom from David - In 2 Samuel 15:1 to 2 Samuel 18:33 Absalom rises up to take the kingdom from his father David. Absalom was the third son of King David (2 Samuel 3:2-5, 1 Chronicles 3:1-4). He is soon killed in battle in fulfilment of Nathan’s prophecy against David’s lineage.

2 Samuel 3:2-5, “And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.”

See also 1 Chronicles 3:1-4.

The first born son, Amnon, was dead. The second son, named Chileab, or Daniel, is mentioned nowhere else in the Scriptures. Therefore, it appears that Absalom believed that he had the right to the throne as one of the eldest living sons of King David.

Bibliographical Information
Everett, Gary H. "Commentary on 2 Samuel 16". Everett's Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghe/2-samuel-16.html. 2013.