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his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
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Amnon and Tamar
In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David.
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He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
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Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman.
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And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.
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Absalom Kills Amnon
Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there.
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Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?”
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“No, my son,” the king replied. “All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave him his blessing.
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Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.” The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?”
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But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.
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Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.”
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So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.
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While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.”
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But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.
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Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, “I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill.”
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Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son.
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After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years.
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And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.
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Absalom Returns to Jerusalem
Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom.
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The king said to Joab, “Very well, I will do it. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.”
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Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.
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But the king said, “He must go to his own house; he must not see my face.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king.
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In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.
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Three sons and a daughter were born to Absalom. His daughter’s name was Tamar, and she became a beautiful woman.
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Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face.
