2 Samuel 14:27

KJV

And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name [was] Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

KJV (with Strong's)

And unto Absalom {H53} there were born {H3205} three {H7969} sons {H1121}, and one {H259} daughter {H1323}, whose name {H8034} was Tamar {H8559}: she was a woman {H802} of a fair {H3303} countenance {H4758}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To Avshalom were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar; she was a beautiful woman.

Berean Standard Bible

Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman.

American Standard Version

And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 14:27 offers a brief but poignant glimpse into Absalom's personal life, noting the birth of three sons and a daughter named Tamar, who was remarkably beautiful. This seemingly simple detail carries profound implications, setting the stage for a tragic irony concerning Absalom's legacy and serving as a subtle reminder of the deep-seated dysfunction and unresolved trauma within King David's royal family, particularly the enduring wound of his sister's rape and the subsequent murder of Amnon.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears immediately after Absalom's full reconciliation with his father, King David, following his two-year exile in Geshur and subsequent house arrest in Jerusalem. Chapter 14 concludes with David finally embracing Absalom (2 Samuel 14:33), seemingly restoring him to favor. The preceding verses emphasize Absalom's striking physical beauty (2 Samuel 14:25-26), a trait his daughter Tamar is said to share. The mention of Absalom's children here, particularly his sons, creates a stark literary contrast with a later verse (2 Samuel 18:18), where it is revealed that Absalom had no son to carry on his name, forcing him to erect a monument for himself. This juxtaposition highlights a significant irony regarding his ultimate legacy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the birth of sons was paramount for ensuring a man's legacy, name, and property continued through generations. A large family, especially with male heirs, was a sign of divine blessing and social standing. The naming of Absalom's daughter "Tamar" carries immense cultural weight, directly referencing his full sister, Tamar, who was raped by their half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13). This naming choice was not merely sentimental; it served as a constant, public reminder of the profound injustice and dishonor inflicted upon his family, a wound that David, as king and father, had failed to adequately address. The description "fair countenance" (Hebrew: *yapheh marʾeh*) was a common biblical descriptor for exceptional beauty, often attributed to significant women like Sarah (Genesis 12:11), Rachel (Genesis 29:17), and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2), as well as Absalom himself (2 Samuel 14:25).
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within 2 Samuel and the broader Davidic narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Family and Legacy**, highlighting Absalom's establishment of a lineage, which was culturally vital for immortality of one's name. However, this is tragically undermined by the later revelation of his lack of a lasting male heir. Secondly, the naming of his daughter "Tamar" powerfully brings to the forefront the theme of **Unresolved Trauma and Justice**. It serves as a constant echo of the horrific event in [2 Samuel 13](/2_samuel/13 "2 Samuel 13 - Amnon and Tamar"), suggesting that despite the superficial reconciliation, the deep wounds of injustice and the desire for vindication continued to fester within Absalom, ultimately contributing to his rebellion. Lastly, the verse introduces the theme of **Ironic Futility**, particularly concerning human efforts to secure a lasting name or power apart from divine will. The apparent blessing of sons is later revealed as ephemeral, contrasting sharply with Absalom's desperate attempt to build a monument for himself, as described in [2 Samuel 18:18](/2_samuel/18-18 "2 Samuel 18:18 - Absalom's Monument").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tamar (Hebrew, _Tāmār'_):** The name "Tamar" means "date palm." Its significance here is not in its literal meaning but in its powerful symbolic connection to Absalom's full sister, Tamar, who was brutally raped by Amnon (2 Samuel 13:1-19). By naming his daughter after his disgraced sister, Absalom ensured that the memory of the injustice and David's failure to act decisively would remain a palpable presence within the royal household, a constant, living indictment. This act underscores the depth of his grievance and his commitment to remembering the family's dishonor.
* **Fair countenance (Hebrew, _yapheh marʾeh'_):** This phrase translates literally as "beautiful of appearance" or "pleasant to look at." It is a standard biblical idiom used to describe striking physical beauty. The repetition of this descriptor for Absalom's daughter, echoing the description of his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1) and Absalom himself (2 Samuel 14:25), highlights a recurring theme of physical attractiveness within David's family, which, ironically, often precedes or accompanies significant moral failings and tragic events in the narrative.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And unto Absalom there were born three sons":** This clause signifies a blessing and the fulfillment of a cultural expectation for a man of Absalom's standing. The birth of multiple sons would have been seen as a guarantee of his lineage and legacy. However, this statement is imbued with profound irony when read in light of 2 Samuel 18:18, where Absalom is said to have "no son to keep his name in remembrance." This suggests that these sons either died young, were disinherited, or simply did not survive their father to carry on his name, rendering this initial blessing ultimately futile in terms of a lasting familial legacy.
* **"and one daughter, whose name [was] Tamar":** The mention of a daughter is less common in such genealogical summaries unless she holds particular significance. Her naming "Tamar" is highly significant. It is a deliberate and deeply symbolic act by Absalom, ensuring that the memory of his sister's rape and the subsequent unaddressed injustice by King David would remain a tangible, living presence within the family. This choice serves as a constant, silent accusation against David's inaction and a public declaration of the family's unresolved pain and dishonor.
* **"she was a woman of a fair countenance":** This final clause emphasizes the daughter's striking beauty, mirroring that of her aunt Tamar and her father Absalom. This recurring motif of physical attractiveness in David's family often foreshadows or accompanies moral compromise and tragedy. In this context, it highlights the superficiality of outward appearance in contrast to the deep-seated moral and spiritual brokenness within the royal house, where beauty often coexisted with profound sin and suffering.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is paramount, as the statement of Absalom having three sons stands in stark contrast to the later revelation in [2 Samuel 18:18](/2_samuel/18-18 "2 Samuel 18:18 - Absalom's Monument") that he had no son to carry on his name, forcing him to erect a monument. This creates a tragic sense of **futility** regarding his human efforts to secure a lasting legacy. The naming of his daughter "Tamar" functions as powerful **symbolism**, representing the enduring trauma of his sister's rape and the unresolved injustice within the royal family. It also serves as a subtle **foreshadowing** of Absalom's later rebellion, suggesting that the deep-seated resentment and desire for vindication, symbolized by his daughter's name, continued to fuel his actions. Finally, the description of Tamar's beauty, echoing that of her father and aunt, creates a sense of **juxtaposition** between the outward appearance of the family and the inner moral decay and suffering that plagued David's house.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly minor detail about Absalom's family life carries significant theological weight, underscoring the pervasive consequences of sin within David's household, as prophesied by Nathan (2 Samuel 12:10-12). It illustrates how the ripple effects of moral failure—David's adultery and murder, Amnon's rape—created a legacy of brokenness, resentment, and ultimately, a tragic lack of true, enduring legacy for Absalom despite his initial progeny. The verse subtly points to the futility of human ambition and the pursuit of a name or power apart from God's righteous will, demonstrating that external blessings like children do not guarantee a lasting or honorable legacy if the foundation is built on injustice and rebellion.

* [2 Samuel 12:10](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10 - The Sword Will Never Depart from Your House")
* [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Righteous is Blessed")
* [Ecclesiastes 2:18-19](/ecclesiastes/2-18-19 "Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 - Toil Under the Sun")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The brief mention of Absalom's children, particularly his daughter Tamar, serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring and often devastating impact of sin and unresolved trauma within families and communities. It highlights the human desire for legacy and significance, a desire that, when pursued through means contrary to God's justice and righteousness, can lead to profound irony and ultimate futility. Absalom's story teaches us that outward appearances, even the blessing of children, do not guarantee a lasting name or true peace if one's heart is consumed by bitterness, ambition, or a desire for vengeance. We are called to examine the "legacies" we are building—are they rooted in God's truth and justice, or are they fleeting human constructs destined to crumble? The narrative challenges us to confront the unresolved issues in our own lives and families, seeking reconciliation and healing rather than allowing past wounds to fester and dictate future actions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do the unresolved traumas or injustices in our family histories continue to shape current dynamics and individual choices?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true legacy, especially in contrast to worldly aspirations for fame, power, or even progeny?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to pursue outward appearances or achievements at the expense of inner character, spiritual health, or genuine reconciliation?**

### FAQ
**Why does the text mention Absalom's sons here, only to state later that he had no son to carry on his name?**

Answer: This apparent contradiction is a powerful literary and theological device. The mention of Absalom having three sons in [2 Samuel 14:27](/2_samuel/14-27 "2 Samuel 14:27 - Absalom's Children") establishes a common expectation for a man of his stature—that he would have male heirs to continue his lineage. However, [2 Samuel 18:18](/2_samuel/18-18 "2 Samuel 18:18 - Absalom's Pillar") explicitly states that Absalom had "no son to keep his name in remembrance" and therefore erected a pillar for himself. The most common interpretation is that Absalom's sons mentioned here either died young, perhaps before their father, or did not survive him, or did not achieve sufficient prominence to be considered true heirs who would perpetuate his name and legacy. This creates a profound irony, highlighting the ultimate futility of Absalom's ambition and his desperate attempt to secure a lasting name through human means, apart from divine favor. It underscores the theme of the consequences of sin and the unpredictability of human efforts to control one's destiny.

**What is the significance of Absalom naming his daughter Tamar?**

Answer: The naming of Absalom's daughter "Tamar" is highly significant and deeply symbolic. Her name directly references his full sister, Tamar, who was raped by their half-brother Amnon in [2 Samuel 13](/2_samuel/13 "2 Samuel 13 - Amnon and Tamar"). By choosing this name, Absalom ensured that the memory of this horrific injustice and the subsequent dishonor inflicted upon his sister and family would remain a constant, tangible presence. It served as a living reminder of David's failure to administer justice for his daughter's rape, a failure that deeply embittered Absalom and ultimately fueled his rebellion. The name "Tamar" thus symbolizes the unresolved trauma, the simmering resentment, and Absalom's personal commitment to remembering and, eventually, avenging the profound wrong done to his family.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic irony of Absalom's legacy, where the promise of sons ultimately yields no lasting heir, stands in stark contrast to the secure and eternal legacy of Jesus Christ, the true Son of David. While Absalom's human efforts to establish a name for himself ended in futility and a self-erected monument, Christ's kingdom is not of this world, nor is His legacy dependent on physical progeny or human ambition. He is the eternal heir of David's throne, whose lineage is divinely secured (as seen in [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Reign of Christ")). Furthermore, the unresolved trauma and cycle of sin evident in David's family, symbolized by Absalom's daughter Tamar, find their ultimate resolution in Christ. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one who breaks the curse of sin and offers true healing, reconciliation, and a lasting spiritual inheritance. Unlike Absalom's failed attempt to secure his name, Christ's name is above every name ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - The Exaltation of Christ")), and His followers receive an imperishable inheritance, not through human lineage, but through faith in Him ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 18:18

Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which [is] in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.

2 Samuel 13:1

¶ 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.

Jeremiah 22:30

Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man [that] shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

Isaiah 14:22

For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.

Job 18:16

His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.

Job 18:19

He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.