Bible Dictionaries
Absalom

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ab' ssuh luhm) Personal name meaning, “father of peace.” See 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 13-19 ). Absalom apparently resented being ignored by his father and resented his brother Ammon going unpunished for raping Tamar, Absalom's full sister. Being overindulged and ambitious, Absalom became the spokesman for the people (2 Samuel 15:1-6 ). They, in turn, gladly proclaimed him king in Hebron (2 Samuel 15:10 ), where David was first crowned (2 Samuel 2:4 ). Battle ensued. David left Jerusalem and sent his army to find Absalom but not to hurt him (2 Samuel 15:5 ), but Joab murdered him (2 Samuel 15:14 ). David's lament over Absalom shows the depth of a father's love over the loss of a son as well as regret for personal failures which led to family and national tragedies.

Robert Fricke