Boy Old Testament Very common
Absalom
father of peace
אַבְשָׁלוֹם a.vi.sha.lom
Absalom (Hebrew: אַבְשָׁלוֹם, a.vi.sha.lom) means “father of peace”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 93 verses across 5 books of the Bible. In 2024 it was given to 10 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 17.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Absalom
daughter of Maacah; daughter of Talmai; father of Tamar
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 93 across 5 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2024 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2024 | 10 | Rising |
| All-time total | 208 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 10 in 1990 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Samuel 3:3 |
| Last appears | Psalms 3:1 |
| Cross-references | 1,293 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ahithophel co-occurrence Appears with Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 17.
- Hushai co-occurrence Appears with Hushai in 2 Samuel 17.
- Amnon co-occurrence Appears with Amnon in 2 Samuel 13.
- Talmai co-occurrence Appears with Talmai in 2 Samuel 3.
- Joab co-occurrence Appears with Joab in 2 Samuel 14.
- Maacah co-occurrence Appears with Maacah in 2 Samuel 3.
- Tamar co-occurrence Appears with Tamar in 2 Samuel 13.
- Abiathar root Shares the element ab-, “father”.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.3;
son of: David (H1732) and Maacah (H4601I);
half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N);
father of: Tamar (H8559I); also called Abishalom at 1Ki.15.2,10;
§ Absalom or Abishalom = "my father is peace"
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
Absalom was David's third son who led a revolt against his father's reign.
The biblical story
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).
Key verses
Absalom appears in 92 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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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;
2 Samuel 3:3 -
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 Samuel 13:1 -
And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.
2 Samuel 13:4 -
And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
2 Samuel 13:20 -
And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
2 Samuel 13:22
Show all 92 references
2 Samuel (83)
- 2 Samuel 3:3
- 2 Samuel 13:1
- 2 Samuel 13:4
- 2 Samuel 13:20
- 2 Samuel 13:22
- 2 Samuel 13:23
- 2 Samuel 13:24
- 2 Samuel 13:25
- 2 Samuel 13:26
- 2 Samuel 13:27
- 2 Samuel 13:28
- 2 Samuel 13:29
- 2 Samuel 13:30
- 2 Samuel 13:32
- 2 Samuel 13:34
- 2 Samuel 13:37
- 2 Samuel 13:38
- 2 Samuel 13:39
- 2 Samuel 14:1
- 2 Samuel 14:21
- 2 Samuel 14:23
- 2 Samuel 14:24
- 2 Samuel 14:25
- 2 Samuel 14:27
- 2 Samuel 14:28
- 2 Samuel 14:29
- 2 Samuel 14:30
- 2 Samuel 14:31
- 2 Samuel 14:32
- 2 Samuel 14:33
- 2 Samuel 15:1
- 2 Samuel 15:2
- 2 Samuel 15:3
- 2 Samuel 15:4
- 2 Samuel 15:6
- 2 Samuel 15:7
- 2 Samuel 15:10
- 2 Samuel 15:11
- 2 Samuel 15:12
- 2 Samuel 15:13
- 2 Samuel 15:14
- 2 Samuel 15:31
- 2 Samuel 15:34
- 2 Samuel 15:37
- 2 Samuel 16:8
- 2 Samuel 16:15
- 2 Samuel 16:16
- 2 Samuel 16:17
- 2 Samuel 16:18
- 2 Samuel 16:20
- 2 Samuel 16:21
- 2 Samuel 16:22
- 2 Samuel 16:23
- 2 Samuel 17:1
- 2 Samuel 17:4
- 2 Samuel 17:5
- 2 Samuel 17:6
- 2 Samuel 17:7
- 2 Samuel 17:9
- 2 Samuel 17:14
- 2 Samuel 17:15
- 2 Samuel 17:18
- 2 Samuel 17:20
- 2 Samuel 17:24
- 2 Samuel 17:25
- 2 Samuel 17:26
- 2 Samuel 18:5
- 2 Samuel 18:9
- 2 Samuel 18:10
- 2 Samuel 18:12
- 2 Samuel 18:14
- 2 Samuel 18:15
- 2 Samuel 18:17
- 2 Samuel 18:18
- 2 Samuel 18:29
- 2 Samuel 18:32
- 2 Samuel 18:33
- 2 Samuel 19:1
- 2 Samuel 19:4
- 2 Samuel 19:6
- 2 Samuel 19:9
- 2 Samuel 19:10
- 2 Samuel 20:6
1 Kings (5)
- 1 Kings 1:6
- 1 Kings 2:7
- 1 Kings 2:28
- 1 Kings 15:2
- 1 Kings 15:10
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 3:2
2 Chronicles (2)
- 2 Chronicles 11:20
- 2 Chronicles 11:21
Psalms (1)
- Psalms 3:1