2 Samuel 14:27

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

2 Samuel 14:27 provides a concise but significant detail about Absalom's personal life, specifically his family. It notes that he had three sons and one daughter, named Tamar, highlighting her beauty. This seemingly simple verse carries deeper implications when understood within the broader narrative of David's dysfunctional royal family.

Context

This verse appears after Absalom has been reconciled with his father, King David, following his two-year exile for murdering his half-brother Amnon. The murder was an act of revenge for the rape of Absalom's full sister, also named Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1 and subsequent verses). Absalom was known for his striking physical appearance, described in 2 Samuel 14:25, and here, his daughter inherits a similar "fair countenance." The mention of Absalom's children here sets the stage for a poignant irony later in the narrative concerning his legacy.

Key Themes

  • Family and Legacy: The verse highlights Absalom's establishment of a family line, a crucial aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture where progeny ensured one's name lived on. However, this is tragically contrasted by later events.
  • Memory of Injustice: Absalom naming his daughter "Tamar" is a powerful reminder of the deep wound inflicted upon his sister and, by extension, upon his family. It suggests that despite his reconciliation with David, the memory of the injustice and the desire for vindication remained a strong undercurrent in his life.
  • Ironic Futility: While this verse states Absalom had sons, 2 Samuel 18:18 later reveals that Absalom had no son to carry on his name, leading him to erect a pillar in his honor. This suggests his sons either died young or did not achieve prominence, creating a significant irony regarding his desire for a lasting legacy.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "fair countenance" is a direct translation of the Hebrew yāp̄eh marʾeh (יְפַת מַרְאֶה), meaning "beautiful of appearance" or "pleasant to look at." This emphasizes her physical attractiveness, echoing the description of her aunt Tamar and her father Absalom himself.

Significance and Application

This verse, though brief, underscores the complex and often tragic dynamics within King David's household, a consequence of earlier sins (see 2 Samuel 12:10). It reminds us:

  • The impact of past trauma and unresolved injustices can shape future actions and relationships.
  • Human efforts to secure a legacy or honor, apart from God's will, can often prove futile. Absalom's ambition and desire for prominence ultimately led to his downfall, despite his initial success in establishing a family.
  • Even seemingly minor details in Scripture can hold significant meaning, revealing character, motivation, and foreshadowing future events.

The story of Absalom's family, including his daughter Tamar, serves as a poignant reminder of the ripple effects of sin and the often-unpredictable nature of human legacy.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 18:18 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Job 18:19 (2 votes)

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